Potencjał terapeutyczny lasu – badania i gospodarka leśna*

The therapeutic potential of the forest results mostly from the accumulation of volatile organic compounds produced by the forest plants. These compounds are found in the highest concentration in the air space between the soil and the tree canopy and they are important cofactors in the regulation of various physiological processes of the human body. Both, the chemical structure as well as the regulatory function of these substances, are already known, or have been studied by pharmacologists and biochemists. What is not known, however, is the spatial variability in concentration of these compounds in the air of forest ecosystems and its dependence on the genetic or developmental structure of the biocenosis. This presents a challenge, which can only be overcome by forest research institutions ready to adopt new methodology, which is needed in order to study the spatial distribution of therapeutic potential within the forest environment. The main outcome of such research should be updated guidelines for the management of silviculture. Some concepts useful for establishing appropriate research programs are suggested in this paper. In line with these concepts, aspects of evolution of the human ecological niche idea associated with forestry management, and the idea of the human place in nature, are also discussed. * Tezy wykładu dla doktorantów Niestacjonarnych Studiów Doktoranckich Instytutu Badawczego Leśnictwa (Kurs VI, Sem. IV)