The socio-ecological legacies of centuries-old charcoal making practices in a mountain forest of the northern Pyrenees
Léonel Fouédjeu|Sandrine Paradis-Grenouillet|Laurent Larrieu|Mélanie Saulnier|Sylvain Burri|Vanessa Py-Saragaglia
Centuries of charcoal making has profoundly shaped European mountain forest ecosystems. However, it remains difficult to assess this impact due a lack knowledge about the full operational sequence and related silvicultural systems. To accurately reconstruct such practices shed light on resulting legacies, we carried out an interdisciplinary study in Bernadouze forest, 46 ha beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) French Pyrenees. We performed multi-proxy analysis 7990 fragments from 28 kilns long-term changes composition structure, but also harvesting In addition, assessed legacy forest’s main features, by evaluating biodiversity 13 one-hectare plots using Index Potential Biodiversity (IBP). The 18 radiocarbon dates showed that took place at least 9th-10th c. 19th-20th Beech silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) were species used. discerned sustainable over centuries without significant change. Charcoal burners harvested well calibrated wood pieces mostly end growing season until early spring, charred after seasoning period. was managed as coppice with standard before being progressively transformed, between mid 15th-mid 17th period, into monospecific coppice, probably treated selection system. While management allowed cover be continuously sustained, resulted homogeneity today, both led low hosting capacity for biodiversity. Nevertheless, ancient which constitutes high biocultural immemorial use rights, needs dedicated management.
Forest Ecology and Management|HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe)|HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe)|HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe)|HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe)