2. Threats to forest soils

Prolonged drought, extreme temperatures due to climate change and the consequences of forest fires affect soil properties such as biological activity, horizon structuring and water infiltration and retention. They weaken the functioning of the forest ecosystem, leading to health crises and dieback in forest stands, and increasing the risk of forest fires. The reduction in soil cover induced by these phenomena will encourage erosion.

However, pressures from human forest management activities are the main source of deterioration in the health of forest soils. In particular, forest harvesting practices have evolved as a result of economic constraints and societal changes.