Abstract
This study combined an empirically based simulation with an analysis of the trade-off between structural heterogeneity and stand productivity depending on time, spatial scale, and silvicultural management, whereas volume growth and tree species diversity have been examined in detail, the role of forest structure and its interdependencies with stand productivity has only lately become a stronger research focus. We used the growth simulator SILVA to examine the development of stand structural heterogeneity and its trade-off with stand productivity in age-class versus uneven-aged pure and mixed spruce and beech stands at different spatial scales over 100 years. Those stands were based on typical forest types in Bavaria and were representative of forests in Central Europe. We examined how stand structure and its trade-off with productivity were modified by a multifunctional, a production-oriented, and a set-aside management scenario. The production-oriented management scenario applied to uneven-aged stands led to a reduction in structural heterogeneity per unit of productivity over time. In age-class stands, the production-oriented scenario was able to maintain the initial structural heterogeneity. The structural heterogeneity per unit of productivity increased more strongly with increasing spatial scale in age-class stands compared to uneven-aged stands. Combining forest stand simulation with scenario analyses is an exemplary method for testing the effect of silvicultural management alternatives on forest structure. This approach can later be connected to climate models considering long-term changes in growing conditions and support the planning of multifunctional forests.
Highlights
Maintaining multifunctional forest ecosystems has become a widespread objective of forest management (Manning et al 2018; Schmithüsen 2008)
This study represents an overarching approach complementing existing findings on the effects of forest management (Crow et al 2002; Pukkala et al 2011; Dieler et al 2017) and aims at linking aspects, such as stand structure, productivity, silvicultural management, time, and spatial scale, which are often examined individually (Coll et al 2018). It addresses the research on forest structure and forest growth as a basis for adjacent research on the multifunctionality of forest ecosystems by examining the following research question: How do stand structural heterogeneity and productivity in age-class vs. uneven-aged stands develop over time and with spatial scale in different management scenarios?
We answered the research question: “How do stand structural heterogeneity and productivity in age-class vs. uneven-aged stands develop over time and with spatial scale in different management scenarios?” with a descriptive presentation
Summary
Maintaining multifunctional forest ecosystems has become a widespread objective of forest management (Manning et al 2018; Schmithüsen 2008). This development increases the interest in analyzing the potentially strong influence of tree species diversity Stand structural heterogeneity emerges as an important factor when the aim of management is to provide a broad range of forest ecosystem functions and services (Felipe-Lucia et al 2018). The potential negative effect of structural heterogeneity on wood production is balanced by a broad range of beneficial effects on habitat heterogeneity (Ghadiri Khanaposhtani et al 2012), biodiversity
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