Abstract
Provision of forest ecosystem services is influenced by site and stand characteristics as well as forest management practices. In order to evaluate the influence of forest management on ecosystem services provision, two artificial black pine forests located in Central Italy were studied where two different thinning approaches (traditional and selective) were applied under the SelPiBio LIFE project. Four main ecosystem services were selected and assessed: timber and bioenergy production, carbon sequestration, forest stand stability-protection, and biodiversity conservation. Even if not supported by statistical evidence, results highlighted an interesting trend just 2 years after treatment. The selective thinning was able to enhance the majority of ecosystem services compared to the traditional one. A higher growth rate of selected crop trees was measured (i.e., carbon sequestration). The slenderness ratio was sensibly reduced (i.e., mechanical stability) with a positive implication on soil retention and the prevention of landslides. Moreover, valuable and interesting commercial assortments have been proven to be retrieved from the stands with the selective approach. Larger and also better formed trees were harvested, given the impact of selective thinning on the co-dominant class. The Shannon index increased only with the selective thinning intervention. In conclusion, the provided results and methods are encouraging and might represent the basis for novel and longer monitoring efforts.
Highlights
According to the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA) and the definition given in 2005, an “ecosystem service” (ES) can be defined as the benefits provided by ecosystems that contribute to making human life both possible and worth living [1,2]
30–40% of basal area is removed and all crown competitors trees are harvested, including standing dead trees and lying deadwood slightly decomposed [37,38]. Starting from these considerations, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of two different forest management practices on three categories of ESs analysing trade-offs and synergies that are generated
In the Amiata study area, 100% of wood products was provided as woodchips, while in Pratomagno, roundwood and pole production contributed for 70% of the total value of provisioning services in traditional thinning and 78% in selective thinning (Table 1)
Summary
According to the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA) and the definition given in 2005, an “ecosystem service” (ES) can be defined as the benefits provided by ecosystems that contribute to making human life both possible and worth living [1,2]. ES can be classified into four categories, namely, (i) provisioning services; (ii) regulating services; (iii) supporting services; and (iv) cultural services. With special regard to forests, provisioning services include wood and non-wood forest products; regulating services include carbon sequestration, water regulation, natural hazard protection; supporting services include plant production, biodiversity and nutrient cycling; and cultural services include recreational opportunities, historical and spiritual values [3,4,5]. One of the most important research challenges is how to manage forests for timber and bioenergy production while maintaining and/or improving other ESs such as habitat and biodiversity conservation, natural hazard protection, carbon sequestration, water regulation, and recreation [9]. Forest management trajectories and strategies can generate ES trade-offs, if interactions among ESs are not well known [10,11]. Trade-offs can occur when—due to a forest management choice—the provision of one ES is reduced as consequence of the increased use of another one [12]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
