Environmental Fragility in Commercial Forest Plantations Aiming at Sustainable Management
Authors: Américo Carla , Valente Roberta Averna 
Published: September 2024

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the environmental fragility of two landscapes in which there is a predominance of commercial forest plantations, with the aim of analyzing this fragility through multicriterial evaluation, focusing on the planning of forest roads.

Theoretical Framework: The theory of environmental fragility, multi-criteria evaluation methods, and principles of landscape management stand out, providing a solid basis for understanding the context of the investigation. These frameworks are crucial for analyzing the impact of forest roads on environmental variables such as water dynamics, sediment production, and soil erodibility. The integration of these theories allows for a comprehensive assessment of environmental fragility, essential for effective forest planning and road maintenance in forested areas

Method: The methodology adopted involves a multi-criteria evaluation approach to assess environmental fragility in forest landscapes. Key criteria, including slope, distance from water bodies, soil erodibility, and topographic humidity, were integrated to create fragility maps. Data were collected through geographical and environmental analysis, processed with spatial analysis tools, and supplemented by principal component analysis to identify influential criteria. This approach enabled a detailed assessment of forest roads' environmental impact, supporting informed decisions in road planning and landscape management.

Results and Discussion: The results revealed notable variations in environmental fragility. The analysis of forest roads highlighted their varying impact on environmental fragility. These results are framed within the context of environmental fragility and multi-criteria evaluation, emphasizing the role of criteria such as slope, proximity to water bodies, soil erodibility, and topographic humidity in assessing landscape degradation. The study underscores the need for careful forest road planning to mitigate environmental impacts and promotes the use of comprehensive evaluation methods in sustainable landscape management.

Research Implications: The practical and theoretical implications of this research are discussed, providing insights into how the results can be applied or influence practices in the field of forest management and environmental conservation. These implications could encompass forest road planning, sustainable landscape management, and the development of environmental policies aimed at mitigating the impact of infrastructure on natural ecosystems.The study's findings emphasize the need for incorporating multi-criteria evaluation methods into forest planning processes to identify and mitigate areas of high environmental fragility. This approach can guide decision-makers in prioritizing areas for road maintenance, rehabilitation, or even rerouting to minimize ecological damage. Furthermore, the research underscores the importance of integrating environmental fragility assessments into broader forest management strategies, enhancing the sustainability of commercial forestry operations while preserving essential ecosystem services.

Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by introducing an innovative application of multi-criteria evaluation in assessing environmental fragility within forest landscapes, specifically in the context of forest road planning. The research combines various environmental criteria into a comprehensive fragility map, offering a nuanced understanding of landscape vulnerability that is less commonly addressed in existing studies. Notably, this methodology focused on forest roads has not been previously explored in the literature, highlighting the unique contribution of this research to the field.The relevance and value of this research are evidenced by its potential to influence forest management practices, particularly in the sustainable planning and maintenance of forest roads.