Development of new technical approaches to the regeneration of the Landes forest in response to possible scenarios

Barely 10 years after the storm of 27 December 1999, Hurricane Klaus on 24 January 2009 felled more than 40 million m³ (including 37 million m³ of maritime pine) in the Aquitaine region. Operations to clear the windfall are being held up by an overly complex and slow process for implementing financial aid. Come autumn, we will see a mix of foresters with no commercial solution for their windfall and others ready to embark on the reforestation process. Despite much speculation, the reconstruction of the Landes forest will be essential, particularly given its strategic importance within the French timber industry. The restoration of a ‘sustainably managed’ commercial forest requires an insurance scheme that is accessible to foresters. Economic analysis (resource, demand) highlights the importance of developing dynamic scenarios and shortening production cycles. The sustainability of the system can be better ensured by utilising research findings and by introducing or maintaining diversity within a system where the maritime pine, a native species, will continue to dominate. Finally, we outline the key technical approaches that could inform the reforestation process of the future.