Advances in modeling interactions between soils and trees

Models used for decision-making in forestry policy, planning and management are not yet able to produce a simultaneous evaluation of the effect of global climate change and management on the various ecological and productive functions provided by forest ecosystems. This paper gives an overview of models developed for dendrometry, ecophysiology and soil sciences and considers how the concepts used in these three disciplines can be combined to create decision-making tools for forest management. These new tools should (i) be sufficiently comprehensive to provide answers to management issues at the ecosystem scale, (ii) distinguish between generic and site- dependent processes and parameters, (iii) make it possible to define and simulate a range of innovative management scenarios in an uncertain environment, with increasingly strong constraints and (iv) be well documented and referenced to ensure that they will be used and will continue to be used.