Abstract
Wind is one of the major natural forest disturbances in Europe, and reduces the total economic (including carbon sequestration) value of forests. The aim of this study was to assess the financial benefit of silvicultural measures in young, pure, planted Norway spruce stands by reduction in the impact of wind damage over the rotation period. The analyzed measures are promptly applied precommercial thinning and low-density planting with improved plant material. Spatial information on factors affecting wind damage—wind climate and soil—were gathered and combined with the local growth model and empirical data from tree pulling experiments in Latvia to assess the economic value loss due to wind damage over a rotation period. Timely precommercial thinning and lower-density planting with improved plant material would ensure a positive net present value with an interest rate of 3%, using conservative estimates. The financial benefit is highest in windier (coastal) regions and for the planting, followed by moderate thinning. The results demonstrate that, even without changing the dominant tree species, a considerable reduction in wind-damage risk can be achieved.
Highlights
Wind damage is a major disturbance in managed and natural forests in Europe, resulting in a drastic reduction in tree biomass and consequent loss of other forest ecosystem services, including economic and carbon sequestration value [1,2]
One of the impacts in hemiboreal and boreal forests, especially for forest stands growing on peat soil, is the reduction in frozen soil conditions during winter [14], leading to increased stand vulnerability to wind. Such an effect is especially significant for tree species that are more susceptible to wind damage, like Norway spruce
Net present values (r = 3%) of planted Norway spruce stands without consideration of wind damage, independent precommercial thinning alternatives
Summary
Wind damage is a major disturbance in managed and natural forests in Europe, resulting in a drastic reduction in tree biomass and consequent loss of other forest ecosystem services, including economic and carbon sequestration value [1,2]. One of the impacts in hemiboreal and boreal forests, especially for forest stands growing on peat soil, is the reduction in frozen soil conditions during winter [14], leading to increased stand vulnerability to wind. Such an effect is especially significant for tree species that are more susceptible to wind damage (uprooting or breaking), like Norway spruce
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
