Marteloscopes are a French innovation that were developed in the late 1980s as a tool for training professionals in silviculture and for understanding key habitat elements and structures in forests. They were created in response to a need for more effective in-forest training methods and for a way to integrate conservation goals into forest management practices. The first Marteloscope was established in 1988 in the French National Forest of Tronçais and the concept has since spread to other countries in Europe and beyond. Marteloscopes are now used in a variety of settings, including research institutions, universities, and forestry companies, to provide practical training and to facilitate the integration of economic and conservation goals in forest management.

• Importance of training professionals in these fields

Training professionals in the fields of silviculture and forest management is important for a number of reasons. Properly trained professionals are better equipped to make informed and responsible decisions about how to manage forests in a way that balances economic, social, and environmental objectives. They are also better able to understand and consider the impacts of their actions on forest ecosystems and the species that depend on them. In addition, training helps professionals to stay up to date with the latest research and best practices in their fields, which can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their work. Overall, training professionals in silviculture and forest management helps to ensure that forests are managed in a sustainable and responsible manner, which benefits both present and future generations.

The Jägerhäuschen Marteloscope (EFI; Integrate Network)

1. What are Marteloscopes and how do they work

• Definition and purpose of Marteloscopes

Marteloscopes are defined as 1-hectare forest plots in which all trees are numbered, mapped, and recorded, and in which an evaluation and simulation software is used to conduct virtual tree selection exercises. The purpose of Marteloscopes is to provide a framework for in-forest training and to facilitate the integration of conservation goals into forest management practices. Through the use of Marteloscopes, professionals can gain a better understanding of forest dynamics and the impacts of different silvicultural practices on the economic and ecological values of a forested plot. This information can be used to support informed decision-making and to facilitate discussions about the trade-offs involved in different management options. Overall, the purpose of Marteloscopes is to promote sustainable and responsible forest management practices.

The materialization a marteloscope corner

• How Marteloscopes are used to provide training in silviculture and to understand key habitat elements and structures in forests

Marteloscopes are used to provide training in silviculture and to understand key habitat elements and structures in forests through a number of different methods. First, all trees in a Marteloscopes plot are numbered, mapped, and recorded, which allows professionals to gain a detailed understanding of the structure and composition of the forest. This information can be used to identify and select trees for various silvicultural treatments, such as thinning or regeneration, and to understand the impacts of these treatments on the remaining stand. Second, an evaluation and simulation software is used to conduct virtual tree selection exercises, which allows professionals to experiment with different silvicultural scenarios and to visualize the potential outcomes of these scenarios. This can help professionals to understand the trade-offs involved in different management options and to identify strategies that balance economic and conservation goals. In addition, the use of Marteloscopes can help professionals to understand key habitat elements and structures in forests, such as tree microhabitats, which are important for supporting species diversity. Overall, the use of Marteloscopes allows professionals to gain practical experience and a deeper understanding of the complexities of forest management.

Reality and 3D LiDAR point-cloud (Mobile laser scanning)

2. The value of Marteloscopes for integrating conservation measures in forest management

• Evaluation of the economic and ecological value of a forested plot

The economic and ecological value of a forested plot can be evaluated using Marteloscopes through a number of different methods. First, the economic value of each tree in the plot can be estimated based on factors such as tree volume, stem quality, and local timber prices. This information can be used to calculate the total economic value of the plot and the potential revenue that could be generated from different silvicultural scenarios. Second, the ecological value of each tree can be assessed based on the presence of tree microhabitats and other habitat elements, taking into account the rarity and duration of these habitats. This information can be used to calculate the total ecological value of the plot and to understand the potential impacts of different management options on this value. By evaluating both the economic and ecological value of a forested plot, professionals can gain a better understanding of the trade-offs involved in different management options and can identify strategies that balance these values.

• Objective discussions about the application of different management goals and their effects on the plot

Marteloscopes can facilitate objective discussions about the application of different management goals and their effects on a forested plot through the use of evaluation and simulation software. This software allows professionals to experiment with different silvicultural scenarios and to visualize the potential outcomes of these scenarios in terms of both economic and ecological value. This can help professionals to understand the trade-offs involved in different management options and to identify strategies that balance these values. In addition, the use of Marteloscopes allows professionals to consider the impacts of different management goals on a wide range of factors, such as tree microhabitats, species diversity, and timber production. By providing a clear and objective assessment of the potential impacts of different management goals, Marteloscopes can facilitate discussions about how to best achieve these goals in a sustainable and responsible manner.

LiDAR use in Marteloscopes

3. Conclusions and future prospects

• Recap of the main benefits of Marteloscopes for training professionals in silviculture and integrating conservation measures in forest management

The main benefits of Marteloscopes for training professionals in silviculture and integrating conservation measures in forest management include:

1. Practical training: Marteloscopes provide a practical training environment in which professionals can gain hands-on experience with different silvicultural techniques and understand the impacts of these techniques on the structure and composition of a forest.
2. Understanding of forest dynamics: By numbering, mapping, and recording all trees in a Marteloscope plot, professionals can gain a detailed understanding of the structure and composition of the forest and how it is affected by different management practices.
3. Integration of conservation goals: Marteloscopes allow professionals to evaluate the economic and ecological value of a forested plot and to understand the trade-offs involved in different management options. This can facilitate the integration of conservation goals into forest management practices.
4. Objective assessment: The use of evaluation and simulation software in Marteloscopes allows professionals to visualize the potential outcomes of different management scenarios and to understand the impacts of these scenarios on both economic and ecological values. This can support objective discussions about how to best achieve different management goals in a sustainable and responsible manner.

Tree classification per species inside a Marteloscope

Overall, Marteloscopes provide a valuable tool for training professionals in silviculture and for integrating conservation measures into forest management practices.

• Future prospects for the use of Marteloscopes in the field of silviculture and forest management

There are a number of potential future prospects for the use of Marteloscopes in the field of silviculture and forest management. Some possibilities include:

1. Expansion to new regions: Marteloscopes have traditionally been used primarily in Europe, but there is potential for their use to expand to other regions of the world where silviculture and forest management are important activities.
2. Use in research: Marteloscopes could be used as a research tool to study the impacts of different management practices on forest ecosystems and the species that depend on them.
3. Integration with new technologies: Marteloscopes could be adapted to incorporate new technologies, such as remote sensing and machine learning, to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the data collected and analyzed.
4. Development of new software: New software could be developed to expand the capabilities of Marteloscopes and to support more complex management scenarios.

Portal view which help in decision-making for forestry management (Ground data extrapolated with satellite data)

Overall, the future prospects for the use of Marteloscopes in the field of silviculture and forest management are exciting and hold the potential to make significant contributions to the sustainability and responsible management of forests around the world.