Reflections on Czechoslovak forestry

For centuries, forestry has held an important role in Czechoslovakia. A long and complex history of government policies, cultural factors, and traditions has influenced the evolution of modern forest management. Czechoslovakia lies within the deciduous forest belt of Europe. Forests occupy more than a third of the countries 49,354 square miles. The Czech and Slovak Institutes of Forest Management, supervised directly by the Ministry of Forests and Waters of the 2 republics, manage the state forest directorates, which are incorporated commercial enterprises operating in distinct regions throughout the country. In this densely populated country of 15.5 million inhabitants, 80% of the forestlands are managed commercially. Norway spruce (Picea abies) plantations provide most of the timber harvested in Czechoslovakia, followed by European beech. Recently, there has been a decrease in the area planted to conifers, particularly Norway spruce, because this species is increasingly susceptible to damage from sulfur dioxide, drought, ice storms, and insect pests.