What value should be placed on services provided by the forest? (Essay)
2009
David, R., Sezione forestale del Canton Ticini, Bellinzona (Switzerland)
Nature, mountains and forest, these were the essential elements which for many hundreds of years provided a living for a large proportion of the Ticino population. Alpine valley communities lived in close relationship with their environment and were aware of the importance of the forest which protected their settlements. Within a very few years the socioeconomic changes which took place in the second half of the twentieth century have reduced to a minimum the pressure of human intervention on the forest. These changes also led to a modification of the relationship and a loosening of the ties between people and their environment. Nature, mountains and forest have become a synonym for leisure and pleasure, meanwhile other services provided by the forest, with the exception of the protective function, have become, within the last three decades, of secondary importance. Over the last ten years there has been a steadily growing interest in the various services provided by the forest. The forestry plan in canton Ticino, which was approved in 2007, has as its main objective an intensification of the forest management, on account of the numerous consequences in the general interest that this can bring. In this connection, the local authorities are required to actively support the Patriziati, being the main forest owners in the canton, in assuring the functions of the forest and encouraging the use of wood resources for energetic purposes. Taking as an example the positive influence of the forest in safeguarding springs of drinking water, together with the efforts made to revive traditional management of the sweet chestnut groves, the article indicates some possibilities for the commercialization of services provided by the forests in Ticino.
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