Joint evaluation of storms, forest vulnerability and their restoration

Abstract

The gale of December 1999 had a huge impact on forest in France, at a level never reached in the past. A group of scientific experts was set up at the instigation of Cemagref and INRA to understand the reasons of such a damage and to give advises for forest restoration. This paper includes a synthesis of the deliberations of this expect group. Firstly, the authors address the climatic storm hazard and the factors related to the vulnerability or resistance of forest. After discussing the rareness of such an event, the evolution of forest is considered. The vulnerability is studied at the tree and the stand level, including the influence of tree species and silvicultural parameters. In a second part, the authors consider the main factors or risks deriving from forest damages (fire, ungulate populations, pests and diseases,_), before suggesting alternatives possibilities of forest restoration. / Les tempêtes de la fin 1999 ont frappé profondément et assez durablement le secteur forestier. Face à cette catastrophe, l'INRA et le Cemagref ont pris l'initiative, en concertation avec la DERF de mettre sur pied un groupe d'expertise scientifique avec pour objectif : produire une expertise collective sur l'aléa tempête et la sensibilité de la forêt et proposer des orientations pour la reconstitution des forêts endommagées. Affiner les conclusions de ce rapport après interprétation des premières évaluations des dégâts par l'inventaire forestier national. Encadrer des projets de recherche et élaborer de nouveaux programmes de recherche.