Dauerwald: its role in the restoration of natural forests

Following an almost 80-year discussion, several European countries recently mandated natural forest management based on uneven-aged silvicultural systems. This shift from traditional forestry is envisioned to eventually restore forests to a near natural condition, while promoting large volumes of high-quality wood. We review the evolution of the Dauerwald concept, which greatly influenced this significant shift, and briefly assess its relevance for American conditions.