The common forestry practices at local, regional and global scales are strongly criticized by a society that is demanding multiple goods and services proved by forests in addition to timber. The new demands ask for a more “friendly” forest management of natural forests and plantations, one that needs to take care of the environment and societal demands in addition to generating profit for the landowners. Given this changing scenario, new and interesting challenges are displayed for the forest sciences in general and for silviculture in particular. New directions should be taken by scientists, professionals and landowners. The new trends show that ecosystem management provides a balance to supply both ecosystem goods and services to society.

In Chile, a country within the temperate region of the southern hemisphere and dominated by Mediterranean and temperate forests, the forest sector is characterized by an increasing area of forest plantations of exotic species and increasing degradation of native forests. Responsible management and restoration of native forests, in addition to promoting plantations of native species to diversify Chilean forest economy are the main challenges of the forest sector in Chile near to future. 

For this reason exposed above, my research interest is study of forest structure and stand development as a complex system; regeneration silviculture in natural and artificial environments; testing classical silvicultural systems in natural temperate forests in Chile; and the conservation of threatened tree species, are my principal  goals. Currently I am working with colleagues from  Universidad Austral de Chile and Universidad Catolica de Temuco. Where our research focus is the response of most prominent native tree species [Coihue (Nothofagus dombeyi) and Raulí (Nothofagus nervosa)] for plantation establish and their silvicultural systems necessary and effective to rehabilitate (degraded forest) and maximize forest production (open field) under global change scenario and uncertainty.