INRAE Cedar Silviculture Network

Coordination : INRAE. Unité de Recherches Écologie des Forêts méditerranéennes UR629. Centre de recherche Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.

Trials spread over the south-eastern quarter of France.

The INRAE Cedar Silviculture Network is a network of semi-permanent plots and silviculture experiments that concern a single species: The Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica Manetti). The network consists of:

1. Semi-permanent plots, often in older stands subjected to silvicultural management. In a few cases, there may be two or three plots on the same site with either a control plot or several different thinning intensities. There is little deviation from current standard management practices.
2. More recent experimental plots: in addition to a control plot, different silvicultural treatments are tested, some of which deviate considerably from current practices.

Scale:

17 semi-permanent plots on 3.5 ha and 23 plots distributed among 3 experimental sites on 10.7 ha. Total: 14.2 ha.

Geographical distribution:

Southeastern quarter of France. Mediterranean region. Departments Adèche, Aude, Drôme, Gard, Vaucluse (see map above).

Date of installation:

From 1923 to 2001 for the semi-permanent plots. From 1989 to 1997 for the experimental sites.

Objectives:

1. To study the influence of silvicultural practices and competition on the tree growth and wood production in regular cedar stands. To develop growth models.
2. To study the influence of silvicultural practices on tree behaviour (growth, production and health status) in the light of climatic and drought events. To develop adaptive silviculture practices in a context of climate change.

The active sites are still being monitored. The data collected in the plots and experimental sites mainly include circumference at 1.30m in height and health status records for all trees. Total, and occasionally base height of the living canopy are measured on a sub-sample of identified trees. These measurements are generally taken every 5 to 10 years and at each thinning.

After each measurement campaign, calculations are made and a report is produced.

The network is managed by a research engineer. Measurements are carried out by a team of 2-3 technicians.

The sites are open and the data are available to researchers from other teams within the framework of formal collaborative projects or research agreements in order to help to answer research or technical development questions. The sites are also open to teachers and trainers for all levels of training. Other access needs are discussed on a case-by-case basis. Accompanied field visits may also be organised for training and knowledge transfer; conditions are defined with the applicants.

To be defined on a case-by-case basis, for data formatting and field technical support.

No particular devices.

Courbet, François, 2021, "Tree size data from three semi-permanent plots of the INRAE Cedar Silviculture network", https://doi.org/10.15454/KJDWJM, Portail Data INRAE, V1,