The forest in lorraine? : a study in human geography ; La forêt lorraine : étude de géographie humaine

Open Access

Abstract

Forests are an essential component of the lorraine landscape and environment and a valuable part of the heritage of the province. Therefore, they play an important part in country planning schemes and are still considered in many cases as a stake to be taken into account. An analysis of wooded areas is a reliable testimony of the success or failure of the successive planning policies applied and the various harmful actions it had to suffer (inconsistencies of the re-structuring schemes, preference given to resinous species, damages due to wars, annexion : 1871-1918. The area covered by forests has risen by 100 000 ha since 1945 and this development has been paired with an increase of the proportion of tall fully-grown trees in decicuous forests. The timber industry has become a very promising branch for the economy of lorraine, though results are rather fluctuating. Its future is closely linked to the development of research in sylviculture and the existence of an innovative and efficient forest management sector. Though it exposed to many threats (acid rain, various forms of pollution, encroaching urbanisation, extension of fallow land) the forest contributes greatly to the quality of lorraine landscapes and should make the re-structuring process of the local economy easier (timber industry line, tourism and leisure activities) ; La forêt est une composante essentielle du paysage lorrain. Ce riche patrimoine, en grande partie soumis au régime forestier, contribue à organiser le territoire et demeure, comme par le passé, un espace d'enjeux. L'analyse des paysages boisés traduit durablement les réussites et les échecs des politiques d'aménagement poursuivies, des changements et des stress subis (difficile histoire de la conversion, enrésinements, dégâts dus aux guerres, annexion). Depuis 1945, la forêt s'est accrue de 100.000 ha. (surtout des enrésinements) et le passage à la futaie s'est très progressivement imposé dans les forêts feuillues. Secteur d'avenir pour l'économie lorraine, la filière-bois offre un ...