Impact Of Forest Management Research Articles

PENGARUH PENGELOLAAN KAWASAN HUTAN TERHADAP ASPEK EKONOMI DAN SOSIAL PADA KELOMPOK PERHUTANAN SOSIAL BATU AKIK KECAMATAN SEKONGKANG

The social forestry program aims to empower communities in managing forest areas sustainably and improving their welfare. KTH Batu Akik, one of the social forestry groups in Talonang Baru Village, Sekongkang District, West Sumbawa, manages 200 hectares of forest through an agroforestry system that combines timber and food crops. This research aims to analyze the economic feasibility and social impact of forest management by KTH Batu Akik through the agroforestry system. A mixed-method approach was used, with respondents selected through purposive sampling. Qualitative data was collected through in-depth interviews, while quantitative data was obtained from questionnaires and analyzed using validity, reliability, normality, linearity tests, as well as correlation analysis and hypothesis testing. The results show that agroforestry increased members' income by up to 30%, with a correlation between technical variables and income of 0.559, and between environment and income of 0.642. Despite challenges in market access and infrastructure, forest management has proven economically viable and has had a positive social impact. Additional support, particularly in marketing and technical guidance, is needed for the sustainability of this program.

Assessing the Economic Impact of Forest Management in the Brazilian Amazon Through Real Options Analysis

Reduced-impact logging is a key aspect of sustainable forest management in the Brazilian Amazon. Real Options Analysis (ROA) improves the evaluation of certified projects, increases their value, and supports investor confidence. This study evaluates the economic viability of a forest management investment project in certified areas of the Brazilian Amazon, using ROA to incorporate uncertainty and managerial flexibility into the decision-making process. The analysis focused on an Ombrophilous Dense Forest in its first cutting cycle, with 30 species of diameter at breast height ≥ 50 cm and a projected activity period of 30 years. Timber value was modeled using the mean reversion motion, and a binomial decision model was applied, incorporating options such as deferral, abandonment, and interruption. The deferral option should be exercised with a 100% probability, both in the joint calculation scenario and in separate analyses, highlighting the significant value of this managerial flexibility. In addition, when analyzed using ROA, the value of the project increased by 105% (USD 91,784,176) compared to the traditional net present value approach. The forest management investment project in the Brazilian Amazon is economically viable and the application of ROA reveals significant value added, demonstrating the importance of incorporating flexibility into investment decisions.

Assessing the impact of forest management and climate on a peatland under Scots pine monoculture using a multidisciplinary approach

Abstract. Assessing the scale, rate and consequences of climate change, manifested primarily by rising average air temperatures and altered precipitation regimes, is a critical challenge in contemporary scientific research. These changes are accompanied by various anomalies and extreme events that negatively impact ecosystems worldwide. Monoculture forests, including Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) monocultures, are particularly vulnerable to these changes due to their homogeneous structure and simplified ecosystem linkages compared to mixed forests, making them more sensitive to extreme events such as insect outbreaks, droughts, fires and strong winds. In the context of global warming, forest fires are becoming extremely dangerous, and the risk of their occurrence increases as average temperatures rise. The situation becomes even more dramatic when fire enters areas of peatlands, as these ecosystems effectively withdraw carbon from the rapid carbon cycle and store it for up to thousands of years. Consequently, peatlands become emitters of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. In this study, we aim to trace the last 300 years of historical development of a peatland situated in a Scots pine monoculture. Our focus is on the Okoniny (Jezierzba) peatland located within Tuchola Forest in northern Poland, one of the country's largest forest complexes. We delved into the phase when the peatland's surroundings transitioned from a mixed forest to a pine monoculture and investigated the impact of changes in forest management on the peatland vegetation and hydrology. Our reconstructions are based on a multi-proxy approach using pollen, plant macrofossils, micro- and macro-charcoal, and testate amoebae. We combine the peatland palaeoecological record with the dendrochronology of Pinus sylvestris to compare the response of these two archives. Our results show that a change in forest management and progressive climate warming affected the development of the peatland. We note an increase in acidity over the analysed period and a decrease in the water table over the last few decades that led to the lake–peatland transition. These changes progressed along with the strongest agricultural activity in the area in the 19th century. However, the 20th century was a period of continuous decline in agriculture and an increase in the dominance of Scots pine in the landscape as the result of afforestation. Dendroclimatic data indicate a negative effect of temperature on Scots pine and pressure from summer rainfall deficiency. Additional remote sensing analysis, using hyperspectral, lidar and thermal airborne data, provided information about the current condition of the peatland vegetation. With the application of spectral indices and the analysis of land surface temperature, spatial variations in peatland drying have been identified. Considering the context of forest management and the protection of valuable ecosystems in monocultural forests, the conclusions are relevant for peatland and forest ecology, palaeoecology, and forestry.

Impact of forest management on the communication distance of an endangered tree squirrel

Impact of forest management on the communication distance of an endangered tree squirrel

Sensitivity of thermal analysis and calorimetry to assess the impact of forest management on soils

Sensitivity of thermal analysis and calorimetry to assess the impact of forest management on soils

Dieback of spruce plantations: deadwood stands and management heterogeneity enhance beetle diversity and habitat connectivity

Forest ecosystems are important for biodiversity conservation and human societies, but are under pressure due to climate change and human interventions. This applies to natural forests as well as tree plantations. The latter are globally widespread and therefore gaining increasing importance for biodiversity conservation. However, even after dieback due to increasing disturbance frequencies, such plantations are primarily managed for economic returns, leading to growing conflicts among stakeholders. In particular, the impact of forest management on biodiversity is being discussed. This study investigates the effects of five management approaches in a landscape severely affected by spruce (Picea abies L.) dieback on beetle diversity, conservation, and community composition. We considered direct effects of management and indirect effects of environmental parameters separately in ground-dwelling and flight-active beetles. Beetle diversity was strongly affected by forest management, with non-intervention deadwood stands being most beneficial for beetles. In addition, we show indirect effects of environmental factors. In general, parameters related to salvage logging (e.g. open canopies, tree stumps) influenced beetle diversity and conservation negatively, while positive effects were found for soil nutrient availability and plant species richness. Community composition differed strongly among management categories and indicated a lack of landscape connectivity for open habitat species, as we found only low proportions of such species even on salvage-logged sites. We propose a mixture of management approaches after bark beetle outbreaks, including a substantial proportion of non-intervention deadwood stands, to increase landscape heterogeneity and connectivity. This may increase overall biodiversity while addressing the concerns of both forestry and species conservation.

Insights into Boreal Forest Disturbance from Canopy Stability Index

The world’s forests are being increasingly disturbed from exposure to the compounding impacts of land use and climate change, in addition to natural disturbance regimes. Boreal forests have a lower level of deforestation compared to tropical forests, and while they have higher levels of natural disturbances, the accumulated impact of forest management for commodity production coupled with worsening fire weather conditions and other climate-related stressors is resulting in ecosystem degradation and loss of biodiversity. We used satellite-based time-series analysis of two canopy indices—canopy photosynthesis and canopy water stress—to calculate an index that maps the relative stability of forest canopies in the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. By drawing upon available spatial time-series data on logging, wildfire, and insect infestation impacts, we were able to attribute the causal determinants of areas identified as having unstable forest canopy. The slope of the two indices that comprise the stability index also provided information as to where the forest is recovering from prior disturbances. The stability analyses and associated spatial datasets are available in an interactive web-based mapping app. that can be used to map disturbed forest canopies and the attribution of disturbances to human or natural causes. This information can assist decision-makers in identifying areas that are potentially ecologically degraded and in need of restoration and those stable areas that are a priority for protection.

Beyond species richness: Forest structure and edaphic conditions have similar importance but different effects on multi-taxon biodiversity

Managed forests represent a major fraction of the global forest area and are known to host impoverished biodiversity compared to natural forests. The effect of forest management has focused mainly on aggregated community metrics such as species richness of single taxa and on simplistic managed vs. unmanaged comparisons. However, the effect of forest management is expected to vary among species and taxa and to be contingent on site-specific conditions. In this study, we focus on fine-scale multi-taxon biodiversity patterns to disentangle the impact of forest management on the forest structure and the abiotic soil conditions of the stands. We base our comparisons on carefully selected pairs of managed and unmanaged stands to minimize regional differences that could confound the effects of management. We found that the total effect of forest management on alpha diversity was positive on plants and rove beetles, neutral on ground beetles and mosses, and negative on crane flies, fungi, and lichens. However, using joint species distribution modeling we show that individual species’ responses to the local underlying soil conditions can be as important as the forest structural changes induced by management, but this varied among the different taxa. Based on these responses we disclose synergies and trade-offs among some of the taxa. Our results indicate that the balance between forest management and abiotic conditions can shape the patterns of forest multi-taxon biodiversity. Considering these conditions can be important in predicting the response of biodiversity to forest management and act as key criteria when prioritizing areas for the conservation of biodiversity.

Managing both overstory and understory vegetation mitigates the impact of drought on soil nematode communities in a Mediterranean pine forest

Forest management strategies can effectively mitigate the impacts of drought on tree species, but their effects on soil fauna remain largely unexplored. Among soil organisms, soil nematodes can serve as valuable bioindicators to assess the impact of forest management on soil biodiversity and soil functioning. Consequently, we investigated two related questions in a Mediterranean Pinus halepensis Mill. forest located in southeastern France. First, how do soil nematodes respond to forest management practices? Second, can forest management practices help modulate the effects of Mediterranean summer drought on these soil organisms? We conducted a field experiment in which we explored the influence of two forest management techniques—tree thinning (intense, moderate, or absent) and understory removal (shrubs present or absent)—on soil nematodes before and after the summer drought. We found that only total and bacterivorous nematode abundances were positively influenced by the forest management practices. The highest values were observed under conditions of intense thinning combined with shrub presence, with an average of 97,509 individuals per kg of dry soil. In contrast, the abundances of all nematodes, with the exception of predaceous nematodes, were lower after the summer drought with a reduction ranging from −55 % to −82 %. Total, bacterivorous, and fungivorous nematode abundances were less negatively affected by the summer drought under conditions of moderate thinning when shrubs were present versus absent. More generally, we discovered that bacterivorous and fungivorous nematodes were particularly sensitive to the forest management practices and the summer drought. It is thus apparent that habitat alterations induced by forest management can strongly affect nematode community structure and could therefore prompt shifts in ecosystem functioning. Finally, this study highlights that, in forests, understory vegetation can have significant positive impacts on soil nematode populations when severe dry periods occur.

Quantifying the resistance of mixed-forests against natural hazards in the Pyrenees

Mountain protection forests can prevent natural hazards by reducing their onset and propagation probabilities. In fact, individual trees act as natural barriers against hydrogeomorphic events. However, assessing the structural strength of trees against these hazards is challenging, especially in a context of climate change due to the intensification of extreme events and changes in forest dynamics. Here, we focus on the mechanical analyses of two of the most common tree species across the Pyrenees (Abies alba Mill. and Fagus sylvatica L.) growing in two different areas (Spain and France), and affected by recurrent snow avalanche and rockfall events. We first performed 53 pulling test on mature trees, where the root-plate stiffness and the modulus of elasticity of the stems were evaluated. To further analyse the impact of forest management and climate on protective forests, we yielded information on tree growth using dendroecology techniques. Then, we assessed structure and neighbourhood characteristics for each target tree to account for the surrounding forest structure. Finally, using linear and structured equation models we tested if the mechanical capacity of the trees is determined either by functional traits (e.g. species, tree growth, diameter and height) or forest structural traits (e.g. tree density, tree structure and slenderness) or both. Our results suggest that the forest neighbourhood influences tree mechanical capacity through two pathways, including both functional and structural traits. The individual stiffness parameter of trees is influenced by their functional traits, while their structural traits are more closely related with changes in the modulus of elasticity. Both species exhibit varying levels of dominance in different locations, which is related to their resilience to the diverse natural hazards they confront. Our findings provide relevant insights to anticipating management strategies for forests that serve as a protective barrier against natural hazards in the context of a changing climate.

Impact of forest management on structure, composition, biomass and carbon stock in Chir-pine (P. roxburghii) forest, Western Himalaya

This study performs a comparative analysis of tree composition, biomass, and carbon stock across different management regimes namely, Van Panchayat forest (VP), Reserve forest (RF), and Civil & Soyam forest (C&SF) in the state of Uttarakhand, with a focus on P. roxburghii (Chir-pine) forests. Collectively, these management regimes cover approximately 60 % of the forest area in the state. In this assessment, a total five tree species (Pinus roxburghii, Quercus leucotrichophora, Myrica esculenta, Acacia catechu, and Pinus wallichiana) were identified across the management regimes. The Pinus roxburghii emerged as the dominant species across all management regimes, with relative density of 92.79, 94.39, and 92.31 % in Van Panchayat forest, Reserve forest, and Civil & Soyam forest respectively. However, co-dominant species are varying across the sites. The total tree biomass and carbon stock were notably higher in Van Panchayat forest (236.31 & 112.25 t ha−1) compared to Reserve forest (224.85 & 106.80 t ha−1) and Civil & Soyam forest (193.58 & 91.95 t ha−1). These findings suggest that Van Panchayat forests exhibit a superior status in terms of density, biomass, and carbon stock as compared to Reserve and Civil & Soyam forests. Pinus roxburghii emerges as a crucial species, underscoring its ecological significance in the region. These findings underscore the critical role of effective forest management practices in fostering sustainable biomass accumulation and carbon sequestration in the Himalayan Chir-pine forests. Thus, it helps to mitigate the impacts of climate change and biodiversity conservation, and sustainable management of forests.

Life cycle assessment approach of silviculture and timber harvesting of Norway spruce – a case study in the Czech Republic

Compared to other sectors, the long rotation period in forest management makes it difficult to carry out a life cycle assessment (LCA). Data collection is not possible in a short time frame but would require decades. For this reason, forestry is often forced to rely on secondary data. To address this challenge, environmental impacts of the forestry sector in the Czech Republic were investigated according to the value chain corresponding to silvicultural and harvesting processes, without any further wood use options. The methodological procedure is based on the ISO 14040 and 14,044 standards, using SimaPro, an LCA software. The study was carried out in four phases of LCA in the scope of cradle-to-gate and focused on the early stages of the product life cycle. The system boundaries were set up to include seed collection, seedling production, establishment and tending of young forest stands up to 20 years of age, thinning, harvesting, maintenance of roads and extraction trails, with the endpoint is the hauling place. Three scenarios have been defined that differ in the method of harvesting. Scenario I– chainsaw felling, horse extraction. Scenario II– chainsaw (90% of hours worked) and harvester (10% of hour-worked), tractor extraction. Scenario III– chainsaw (23% of hour-worked) and harvester (77% of hour-worked), extraction by a tractor with a winch. The results show that the maintenance of the forest road network holds a significant share of the overall environmental impact of forest management. Other significant consequences are associated with timber harvesting. These impacts vary considerably depending on the mechanical equipment used. The highest impact was recorded for the third scenario, still, it is practically the most often applied, as it is the most cost-effective. The results show the need to optimize forest management practices in the future both from an economic and environmental point of view. The work on the life cycle assessment was particularly challenging because the silviculture and harvesting of raw timber involve 20 production operations. This research was based on long-term knowledge of forest typology, forest management planning, forest economics, experience with forest technologies, and regulatory measures. Thus, the findings serve for further analysis of LCA in timber production, and future analysis for other forest ecosystem services.

Impact of Forest Management on Wood Production under Climate Change in the Bonis Catchment

The concept of integrated forest management offers a framework for understanding how forest ecosystem services interact with efforts to conserve natural resources. Forests face various disturbances stemming from human activities, management approaches, and shifts in climate patterns. This study aims to explore how forested watersheds respond to diverse silvicultural practices amidst changing climate conditions. The research is centered in the Bonis catchment, situated in the mountainous region of Sila Greca (latitude 39°25′15″ N, longitude 16°12′38″ W) within Southern Italy’s Calabria region. Nearly 93% of the catchment area is cloaked in a forest dominated by approximately 50-year-old Pinus laricio Poiret stands. To model the catchment’s response to various climate and management scenarios, the FEST-FOREST eco-hydrological model, which is distributed and based on physical principles, has been employed. This model accounts for the dynamic interactions between vegetation and the watershed’s hydrological processes. The monitoring of the basin has been ongoing since 1986, with runoff measurements collected at the catchment outlet using dedicated gauging structures. These data have been utilized to calibrate and validate the model, ensuring its accuracy in simulating future scenarios. These simulation results offer stakeholders some qualitative and scientifically based recommendations for the sustainable management of the catchment. In fact, thinning intensity affects hydrological processes, with a 50% stand density reduction identified as a threshold for significant impact on processes like rainfall partitioning and evapotranspiration. Under heavy thinning scenarios, runoff can change by over 60%, and the impact decreases with larger thinning intervals. Furthermore, different climate scenarios influence stem yield levels, with higher production under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 compared to the base climate scenario. In particular, the RCP 8.5 scenario produces the highest yield due to better forest growth under different climate scenarios. This implies the idea that in regions with a Mediterranean climate and coniferous forests, amidst climate change, meticulous forest management involving precisely calibrated thinning schedules and intensities, tailored to unique biotic and abiotic factors, could potentially enhance carbon sequestration while positively influencing runoff rates.

Ecosystem service multifunctionality of mixed conifer-broad-leaved forests under climate change and forest management based on matrix growth modelling

Climate change and forest management are recognized as pivotal factors influencing forest ecosystem services and thus multifunctionality. However, the magnitude and the relative importance of climate change and forest management effects on the multifunctionality remain unclear, especially for natural mixed forests. In this study, our objective is to address this gap by utilizing simulations of climate-sensitive transition matrix growth models based on national forest inventory plot data. We evaluated the effects of seven management scenarios (combinations of various cutting methods and intensities) on the future provision of ecosystem services and multifunctionality in mixed conifer-broad-leaved forests in northeastern China, under four climate scenarios (SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP5-8.5, and constant climate). Provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services were described by timber production, carbon storage, carbon sequestration, tree species diversity, deadwood volume, and the number of large living trees. Our findings indicated that timber production was significantly influenced by management scenarios, while tree species diversity, deadwood volume, and large living trees were impacted by both climate and management separately. Carbon storage and sequestration were notably influenced by both management and the interaction of climate and management. These findings emphasized the profound impact of forest management on ecosystem services, outweighing that of climate scenarios alone. We found no single management scenario maximized all six ecosystem service indicators. The upper story thinning by 5% intensity with 5-year interval (UST5) management strategy emerged with the highest multifunctionality, surpassing the lowest values by more than 20% across all climate scenarios. In conclusion, our results underlined the potential of climate-sensitive transition matrix growth models as a decision support tool and provided recommendations for long-term strategies for multifunctional forest management under future climate change context. Ecosystem services and multifunctionality of forests could be enhanced by implementing appropriate management measures amidst a changing climate.

Strategic Assessment of the Impact of Forestry on the Environment to Achieve Sustainable Development

The relevance of the proposed topic is driven by global climate change and the urgent need to optimize the management of natural resources. Forests play a central role in the global carbon balance and are of great socio-economic importance for local communities. The research aims to analyze forest management strategies and their environmental impacts. The study focuses on forest ecosystems in different regions and climatic zones. The methodology is based on a comprehensive analysis of scientific literature, statistical data, and the examination of practical examples. The article highlights the dynamics of forest ecosystem restoration following different types of forestry interventions in different climatic zones, including the Ukrainian context. The impact of forest management on global carbon balances and the socio-economic sphere is assessed. The research shows that adaptive strategies can contribute to sustainable development and biodiversity conservation. The conclusions provide recommendations for the implementation of these strategies at the national level, especially in Ukraine.

Cost Valuation and Climate Mitigation Impacts of Forest Management: A Case Study from Piatra Craiului National Park, Romania

With the intensification of the effects of climate change, the urgent need to address their drivers, especially greenhouse gas emissions, has become essential. In this context, forests offer a robust solution, with their potential to store and mitigate carbon emissions. However, striking a balance is critical given the significant economic contribution of the forestry and wood-based industries, which account for about 5% of Romania’s GDP and employ 6% (around 300 thousand) of its active workforce. This study, conducted in the Piatra Craiului National Park located in Romania’s Southern Carpathians, we utilize the EFISCEN application to generate three distinct 50-year forest evolution scenarios based on harvest intensity, namely Business As Usual (BAU), Maximum Intensity (MAX), and No Harvest (MIN), on two historical different managed forests, i.e., conservation and production. The study aims to guide forest owners in decision making with scenario modeling tools, with the objectives of assessing the forest carbon sequestration potential and evaluating the economic feasibility. In the most probable scenario, the BAU scenario, the growing stock increases from 2.6 million m3 to 3.8 million m3 over 50 years, with a more than 40% increase. Comparing the carbon stock change for all tree harvest scenario types indicates that the MIN scenario has the highest carbon sink capacity in the next 50 years; the BAU scenario is a well-balanced option between carbon sink and wood provision and has an optimal EUR 3.7 million in annual revenue. The MAX scenario can boost the growth and increase the annual revenue from wood by 35% but is effective only for a short time and thus has the smallest calculated revenue in time. Achieving a win–win relationship between carbon sequestration and wood supply is imperative, as well as good planning and scenarios to contribute to climate mitigation and also as provisions for local communities and to sustain the local economy.

Assessing the Cumulative Impacts of Forest Management on Forest Age Structure Development and Woodland Caribou Habitat in Boreal Landscapes: A Case Study from Two Canadian Provinces

The Canadian boreal forest biome has been subjected to a long history of management for wood production. Here, we examined the cumulative impacts of logging on older forests in terms of area, distribution and patch configuration in the managed forest zones of the Eastern Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. We also examined the consequences of these cumulative impacts on a once widely distributed and now threatened species, the woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou). The cumulative area of recently logged forest (since ~1976) was 14,024,619 ha, with 8,210,617 ha in Quebec and 5,814,002 ha in Ontario. The total area of older forests was 21,249,341 ha, with 11,840,474 ha in Quebec and 9,408,867 ha in Ontario. Patch statistics revealed that there were 1,085,822 older forests with core patches < 0.25 ha and an additional 603,052 < 1.0 ha. There were 52 > 10,00–50,000 ha and 8 < 50,000 ha. Older forest patches (critical caribou habitat) in the 21 local population ranges totalled 6,103,534 ha, distributed among ~387,102 patches with 362,933 < 10 ha and 14 > 50,000 ha. The median percentage of local population ranges that was disturbed was 53.5%, with Charlevoix having the maximum (90.3%) and Basse Côte-Nord the least (34.9%). Woodland caribou local population ranges with disturbed suitable habitats >35% are considered unable to support self-sustaining populations. We found that for the 21 caribou local population ranges examined, 3 were at very high risk (>75% area disturbed), 16 at high risk (>45 ≤ 75% area disturbed), and 2 at low risk (≤35% area disturbed). Major changes are needed in boreal forest management in Ontario and Quebec for it to be ecologically sustainable, including a greater emphasis on protection and restoration for older forests, and to lower the risks for caribou populations.

Modelling the impact of forest management and CO2-fertilisation on growth and demography in a Sitka spruce plantation

Afforestation and reforestation to meet ‘Net Zero’ emissions targets are considered a necessary policy by many countries. Their potential benefits are usually assessed through forest carbon and growth models. The implementation of vegetation demography gives scope to represent forest management and other size-dependent processes within land surface models (LSMs). In this paper, we evaluate the impact of including management within an LSM that represents demography, using both in-situ and reanalysis climate drivers at a mature, upland Sitka spruce plantation in Northumberland, UK. We compare historical simulations with fixed and variable CO2 concentrations, and with and without tree thinning implemented. Simulations are evaluated against the observed vegetation structure and carbon fluxes. Including thinning and the impact of increasing CO2 concentration (‘CO2 fertilisation’) gave more realistic estimates of stand-structure and physical characteristics. Historical CO2 fertilisation had a noticeable effect on the Gross Primary Productivity seasonal–diurnal cycle and contributed to approximately 7% higher stand biomass by 2018. The net effect of both processes resulted in a decrease of tree density and biomass, but an increase in tree height and leaf area index.

Impacts of Forest Management on the Biodiversity and Sustainability of Carya dabieshanensis Forests

Natural secondary Carya dabieshanensis forests comprise the natural wealth of the Dabie Mountains, which maintain the ecological balance of this region and enhance the incomes of farmers. However, forest ecosystems are being increasingly challenged due to increasing long-term anthropogenic development and management. Elucidating the impacts of management intensity and duration on the diversity and stability of vegetation communities in natural secondary Carya dabieshanensis forests is of great significance toward achieving sustainable forest management. For this study, we compared the effects of three forest management intensities (no management (CK), extensive management (EM), and intensive management (IM)), and five management durations (0, 3, 8, 15, and 20 y) on species diversity and the stability of vegetation communities (trees, shrubs, and herbaceous layers) of a Carya dabieshanensis forest. Our results revealed that the diversity of the vegetation communities continued to decline following the onset of management activities. The diversity, dominance, evenness, and richness indices of the vegetation communities decreased by 53.37%–62.77%, 46.04%–59.17%, 32.58%–53.55%, and 50.18%–51.30%, respectively, after 20 y of forest management. Intensive management translated to species diversity loss more so than extensive management. All vegetation communities of the forest stands under study were generally unstable; however, the stability they did have was not at risk under greater management intensity and duration, and neither did greater species diversity enhance it. This study provides new evidence to support the non-synchronicity of species diversity and community stability in forest resident vegetation communities. Since the species diversity and structural composition of tree layers have a positive effect on community stability, so we suggest that both extensive and intensive forest lands need to retain or replant more tree species other than Carya dabieshanensis.

How do harvesting methods applied in continuous-cover forestry and rotation forest management impact soil carbon storage and degradability in boreal Scots pine forests?

Forest management affects soil carbon (C) storage through forest composition, microclimate and litter inputs. How two major forest management systems, continuous-cover forestry (CCF) and clear-cut-based rotation forest management (RFM), differ in their impact on soil C in boreal forests is still poorly understood, however. We compared their effects on soil organic carbon (SOC) storage and quality in boreal Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) dominated forests in eastern Finland. We tested the hypotheses that (1) colder microclimates and continuous litter inputs will lead to higher SOC stocks in CCF plots than in clear-cuts and (2) the more labile litter in clear-cuts with varying ground vegetation will enhance SOC decomposition rates. We sampled uncut mature forests, clear-cuts, retention-cuts and gap-cuts, in which we analysed SOC concentrations and calculated the stocks. We measured stand characteristics such as diameter-at-breast height, basal area, dominant tree height, and understorey species coverage of the various treatments and modelled the above- and belowground litter inputs based on these parameters. We used laboratory incubation and sequential fractionation of SOC to assess its degradability under standardized conditions. To estimate the decomposition rate in the various environments we incubated cellulose bags in situ. We assessed the impact of microclimate on SOC decomposition, using data from soil-temperature and soil-moisture field measurements. We quantified the microbial biomass C pool, using chloroform fumigation extraction to gain insight on the impact of forest management practice on soil microbes. The SOC concentrations and SOC stocks did not differ significantly between the treatments, despite the presence of a warmer microclimate and lower litter inputs in the clear-cut plots. However, we found differences in the quality of the SOC. Soils in clear-cut sites showed lower proportions of labile SOC compounds than did the other treatments. As hypothesized, the decomposition rates were elevated in clear-cuts, but were equally as high within the canopy gaps on gap-cut stands. Our work highlights that forest management affects the quality, degradability, long-term accumulation and storage of SOC. We conclude that the accumulation of labile compounds in uncut forests and retention-cuts, combined with the decreased decomposition rates, indicate a higher potential for future C accumulation in the soil than in clear-cuts.