Sponsors

Salfa John deere
Efforts to Save the Sclerophyll Forest in Central Chile

Efforts to Save the Sclerophyll Forest in Central Chile

Sponsors

komatsu Shovel Logger Banner 1

Pablo Cruz Johnson, a Forestry Engineer and sustainability advisor, outlines the options for restoring sclerophyll forests in central Chile, the area most affected by drought. Through a Clean Production Agreement, it was possible to recover 200 hectares of forest under a replicable model for 3,600 hectares, though significant profitability challenges remain.

Quillayes, peumos, boldos, espinos, molles, and several other tree species make up the sclerophyll forest of central Chile. These hard-leaved species, adapted to summer drought and capable of growing in winter with minimal rainfall, are in alarming states of degradation. "There likely no longer exists a well-preserved fragment of this forest. Its loss is critical for central Chile because its presence helps improve rainwater utilization, local climate regulation, and other environmental issues affecting the region's inhabitants," explains Pablo Cruz Johnson, Forestry Engineer and author of the book "Principles of Forest Management for Chile" and founder of Foredor, a company specializing in sustainable forest-use planning.
To address this issue, in 2018, the implementation of a Clean Production Agreement titled "Sustainable Management of Mediterranean Native Forests" began, funded by the Sustainability and Climate Change Agency (ASCC) of CORFO in the Valparaíso region. The goal was to execute forest management plans on properties with these forests, where owners committed to medium-term recovery, overcoming degradation, and ideally beginning timber production.
The agreement concluded in 2021, with 200 recovered hectares distributed across nine properties—four of them smallholders—and management plans approved by CONAF for 10 years, with seven still pending execution.

What did the recovery actions entail?

Each forest management plan proposed a simple recovery method: resalveo—managing stumps still growing in the forest and reducing shoot density—to improve plant vigor. New plantings were also added in open areas to reconnect forest fragments. Resalveo residues could be sold as firewood or, in some fields, processed into charcoal.
Silvicultural analyses of these recovery efforts suggest that resalveo-treated forests will expand their canopies, improving resilience and requiring a second cut in 15 years. Recovery could be deemed successful if natural regeneration begins. Enrichment plantings may mature into forests by year 13, reaching 50% tree cover. These projections are based on trials conducted in Valparaíso since 2008.

What were the measurable impacts?

Over the three-year project, 181 hectares underwent resalveo, while only five hectares were enriched. An analysis of environmental, social, and economic impacts was conducted using available data: management plans, commitments, invoiced work, and payments. Notably, these metrics represent an operational scale valuable for future sclerophyll forest recovery efforts.
Since forest management plans are comprehensive, they identify areas assigned to various functions beyond production. For example, 13% of the land is allocated to ecosystem services. Traditional plans merely label these as "protected areas," but here, they are quantified, mapped, and legally recognized—enabling a full accounting of Chilean forests' roles.
Another observed impact is that resalveo-treated forests showed improved vigor, even during severe droughts. (Photo 1)
Forest management requires sustainability parameters at the forest—not stand—level. For degraded forests in this project, resalveo extraction volumes were kept below annual growth (5.2 tons/ha/year vs. 1.9 tons/ha/year), ensuring continuous volume capitalization for recovery.
A second benefit is that resalveo removes fine biomass or necromass (dry branches) from stumps—a key wildfire fuel. It also reduces arson risks due to ongoing field activity. For some owners, this was the main reason to join. Given that the state spends $1.4 million per hectare on firefighting, orderly forests could lower public costs.

Regarding social, profitability, and sustainability impacts, what’s the assessment?

Central Chile’s forests lack formal activity and are considered passive resources. Illegally harvested for firewood and charcoal, their market operates "in the black." This project, covering 3,600 hectares with state-approved plans and a CORFO Clean Production Seal, created 60 seasonal rural jobs, paying $149 million annually to unskilled workers.
Privately, the project was economically unviable (see Table 1). Projected income came from resalveo biomass sales, while incentives under the Forest Recovery Law (No. 20.283) covered only 39% of total costs.
Forest management plans are recognized in Chile as tools for reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). Over 3,600 hectares, this agreement could cut 5,000 annual tons of CO2e by preventing deforestation. Carbon credit sales (at $12/ton) could add $60 million yearly, still leaving a $14.6 million deficit.

After this project, is central Chile’s Mediterranean forest recovery sustainable?

If this project reflects broader sclerophyll forest recovery, the answer is no—economic profitability is lacking. True sustainability requires balancing environmental, social, and financial benefits, even with 40% state support.

How much state subsidy would make recovery economically viable? The discussion below explores this, as it’s not just about money but also management support and better sales.

Law 20.283’s incentives cover planning, execution, and supervision but don’t enforce full sustainability. Payments for partial actions (e.g., thinning) are allowed, while forest management-specific incentives are meager and don’t educate owners—the ultimate decision-makers.
With state funding covering only 39% of costs, innovation is needed. Monetizing forest management efforts and leveraging CORFO’s Clean Production Seal for field products could improve cash flow, particularly through direct marketing support.

So, would forest owners be interested in this management approach?

Current project members cite benefits: "We’re better prepared for wildfires," "water supply will improve," and "properties gain value with restored forests."
Chile urgently needs to price ecosystem services. The $4,000 annual deficit per hectare could represent direct socio-environmental service payments, assuming owners—with this support and a management plan—would commit.


The project received funding from ASCC, oversight from CONAF Valparaíso, and financial support from the GEF "Mountain Corridors" program under the Ministry of Environment.
Full report:https://foredor.cl/servicio/gestion-de-bosques-mediterraneos/ 

Sponsors

Banner Ponse H
Previous PostDespite State of Emergency, Armed Attacks on Forestry Contractors Increase
Next PostKnowledge Transfer: A Shared Value Project Between ARAUCO and SMEs
Comentarios (0)
No comments yet.
Leave a comment
captcha