111 années d'application de la méthode du contrôle à la forêt de Couvet | 111 years of application of the method of control in the community forest of Couvet

Abstract

Starting in 1890 Henry Biolley progressively introduced the method of control in forests which came under his administration. The first forest to be managed according to the method of control was the community forest of Couvet in Canton Neuchatel and it can therefore be seen as the cradle of selection cutting. The experimental character of the method of control is precisely the incentive managers need to opt in favour of selection cutting. The consistency in application and the introduction of technical methods over an extended period of time lend great weight to the data collected in 17 inventories. As all data regarding variations of stock, composition of classes and species, as well as current increment, are entirely comparable they can be analysed and aid the search for a balanced state. Selection cutting is essentially an ongoing process.