Our company’s forestry management framework plan is developed according to production objectives. Best practices principles as well as environmental issues are taken into account, paying special attention to the social environment in which the activity operates, meeting at the same time all the requirements of the regulations in force.
On the other hand, plans at lot level are designed based on field assessments in order to accomplish the best harvesting possible according to the site conditions. In those plans, the corresponding schedules and particulars of plantation operations, silvicultural practices, harvesting and post-harvesting are described. Decisions regarding species selection, seeds origin, plantation design, operational methods, management options, etc. are adopted taking into account the company’s productive aims and following technical and logistic criteria.
The good forest management practices adopted by FORESTAL ATLANTICO SUR are applied equally in the sites of GUANARE S.A. which are managed by our company, as in the other sites owned by other producers from which our company purchases standing forests.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING
In the fields where FORESTAL ATLÁNTICO SUR operates, environmental assessments and impact surveys are carried out by a team of experts. Based on the results obtained in these studies, management and monitoring plans have been developed for the restoration of natural systems which may have been affected by previous practices (agricultural, farming, forestry or other activities), the conservation of natural resources and values in the influence areas (flora, fauna, soils and hydric resources) and the prevention or mitigation of environmental impact caused by forestry operations.
Monitoring tasks include, in particular, regular assessments of the effects of forestry operations on the soil, pollution and ecosystems. On the other hand, studies of the fauna are being carried out with the purpose of determining the effect of these operations in the species composition and distribution in the country and the possibility of controlling harmful species such as the wild boar.
Fauna survey and monitoring
The fauna survey and monitoring program comprises the tetrapod vertebrates, such as amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. The main objective of this program is the evaluation of the tetrapod diversity found in the different natural and artificial environments of sites managed by FAS during the entire forestry cycle.
Taking into account that the biologic diversity of a place depends on the number of species present (species richness) and on the number of individuals in each species (relative abundance) and that the most significant man-caused transformation is the simplification of natural environments and the biodiversity reduction, biologic diversity indexes (Shannon, Margalef, Simpson, Jaccard) are proposed for the determination of the environmental impact degree.
Species richness estimators (Chao, Jacknife) are suggested for the assessment of the existing number of species present in each site studied.
Expected results
Recording and classifying the different species of fauna which may be present in the sites studied, both in natural and forested areas with the aim of establishing diversity and richness indexes and indicator species for each area surveyed. The results of these studies will provide information about the interaction and dynamics of the different species in connection with forestry activity and thus allow recommendations to be given concerning forest management and/or the establishment of high conservation value (HCV) areas.
INFORMATION AND TRAINING
FORESTAL ATLÁNTICO SUR has implemented a Continuous Training Program addressed both to direct employees and contractors. Members of other forestry companies or of the communities located in the company’s area of influence are also welcome to take part.
Topics range over many topics including among others: computing updating and information processing; forestry certification; hygiene and work safety; first aid training; ophidism; fire prevention and fighting; chain saw operation; chemicals handling.
Training is given by expert companies, permanent FAS consultants or professionals hired for the purpose, and the events are held in the form of courses, workshops or instructions given on the sites.
