© 2002 by Institute of Chartered Foresters
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Fir (Abies densa) forests in Central Bhutan: a model-based approach to assess a suitable utilization
1 Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research, Zürcherstrasse 111, CH-8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland
A model which was developed to describe uneven-aged forests is further advanced and is used here to assess some possible effects of the utilization of fir (Abies densa Griff.)-dominated forests in Bhutan. Because the structure and species composition of these forests should not be altered to any great extent, in order to maintain the protective and ecological function of the forest, a utilization involving modern harvesting equipment is not economically viable. A traditional utilization, e.g. shingle production for the local market, as a single tree or a small group selection forest, is possible without changing the forest in an undesirable way.