Planted forests
Description of plantation resources
Introduction
Most of plantations are state-owned (DGF, 1997). Their purposes are to produce fuelwood, to combat desertification, to protect soil and watersheds and to protect forests from fires (FAO, 1998).
Development of forest plantations
At the end of the nineteenth century, plantations were established to fix sand dunes and to conserve water resources. After independence in 1956, plantation activity increased rapidly in areas where erosion by wind or water was threatening, or where the combat against desertification was necessary.
During 1962-1972, the average annual rate of establishment was 10 000 ha. It decreased to 5 000 ha in 1982-1984 and then increased to 6 000 ha in 1987-1990. Since then, between 12 000 and 15 000 ha of plantations have been established annually (DGF, 1997).
The government embarked on a ten-year management plan for the period 1990-2000 comprising reforestation, anti-desertification and soil and water conservation. The goal is to achieve 15 percent forest cover (Bouzid, 1998).
In 1996, the total plantation area reached 530&nsp;000 ha, or approximately 10 percent of the country's land area (FAO, 1998).
Species composition
Pinus spp. account for 43.5 percent of the plantation area. Among Pinus species, P. halepensis and P. pinaster are very common. Eucalyptus spp. follow with 27.5 percent. Many Eucalyptus species are planted, especially E. camaldulensis, E. gomphocephala and E. grandis. Other coniferous species, mainly Cupressus spp. are planted (DGF, 1995).
Trend
The planting target is to increase the forest cover from 10 percent to 15 percent of the whole country, excluding the desert and the salt-affected areas. Support for the establishment of private plantations and production of seedlings is also provided.
The forest development programme and its planting activity are part of the national development plan. The ninth plan covers 1997- 2000. During this period, 90 000 ha of tree plantations and 100 000 ha of forage plantations are supposed to be established (FAO, 1998).
Issues
When management plans for government plantations are formulated, they include all the stages, from establishment to thinning and other maintenance activities. However, most of these plans are not implemented or are only partially implemented due to technical uncertainties and lack of finances. If this continues, it will affect the growth and health of the planted forests (FAO, 1998).
References
DGF. 1995. Résultats du premier inventaire forestier national en Tunisie. Tunis. Ministère de l'Agriculture, Direction Générale des Forêts.
DGF. 1997. Plan directeur national de devéloppement forestier et pastoral. Tunis. Ministère de l´Agriculture, Direction Générale des Forêts.
FAO. 1998. National Forestry Report of Tunisia. In 13th session of the Near East Forestry Commission. Damascus, 6-9 December 1998. Cairo. FAO Regional Office for the Near East.