COST Action E 52 - vTI - Bund.de

euroPeaN beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) IN FraNce
absTracT
ALEXIS DUCOUSSO
Genetic team, UMR BIOGECO, INRA
69 route d’Arcachon, 33612 CESTAS cedex
European beech is the third most important forest species in France aft er pedunculate oak (Quercus
robur) and sessile oak (Quercus petraea). It covers an area of 1,392 millions hectares (public forests:
3,000 ha and private forests: 619,000 ha) which represents 9.3% of the forest cover (IFN 2008). Th e
public forests represent 26% of the forest area but public ownership amounts to 55% of the beech
forests. Th e main beech forests are located in the plains of the north-east and in the mountains
(Vosges, Jura, Alps, Massif Central and Pyrenees) but it has an important position in the plain of the
north west (Normandy and Picardy) (Fig. 1). It is present in the Mediterranean region at mountainous
level (Corsica, Luberon, Ventoux, Lure, Verdon, etc.). Marginal populations are found on the plain
of the south-west (Roquefort, Ciron valley, etc.) and in the Mediterranean region (Cagnes sur Mer,
Massane, Valbonne, Sainte Baume, etc). Th e beech forests are slowly expending. Th e standing
volume is 260*10 6 m 3 (11%) and the annual production is 8.4*10 6 m 3 per year (8%). Th e individual
number is 884*10 6 + 50*10 6 . With such a distribution, beech is subjected to various climatic and soil
conditions.
Key words: European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), hêtre (in French), genetic resources, research
Fig. 1: Distribution map of beech in France (IFN 2008)
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