Fast-growing forest plantations as a solution of regional sustainable development in the face of climate change?

Résumé En

For a few years now, planting forest has been encouraged as a solution for mitigating climate change, what it is confirmed and specified by the literature review conducted in this article. Different types of plantations exist and the author is interested in those formed by fast-growing species, which are the most controversial. The purpose is to question if this mitigation measure can be a solution for regional sustainable development. The research was conducted in France, focusing on poplar and maritime pine plantations in the region Centre-Val de Loire. It mixed spatial analysis, observations in situ and interviews with stakeholders of the forestry-wood sector, inhabitants, hikers and tourists. The processors are faced with competition and, as a result, they invest and turn to niche markets. The regional territory could benefit more from the resource which is partly exported. The author shows that the willingness to mitigate climate change creates a new dynamic, beneficial to the forestry-wood sector. Indeed, the stakeholders of this sector are emphasizing the ecological nature of their production. Nevertheless, this is not enough to allow a sustainable development. The social aspects must be taken into account, all the more since forest plantations are part of the landscapes used by inhabitants and tourists. Being dispersed, forest plantations leave these users indifferent, strong opponents being rare. These plantations can be places of recreational activities. They are at least crossed, without being sought, but not avoided either.