Impact Of Forest Management Research Articles

Potential carbon stock in Japanese forest soils – simulated impact of forest management and climate change using the CENTURY model

AbstractForest management and climate change may have a substantial impact on future soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks at the country scale. Potential SOC in Japanese forest soils was regionally estimated under nine forest managements and a climate change scenario using the CENTURY ecosystem model. Three rotations (30, 50, 100 yr) and three thinning regimes were tested: no‐thinning; 30% of the trees cut in the middle of the rotation (e.g. 15 year in a 30‐yr rotation) and thinned trees all left as litter or slash (ThinLef) and the trees from thinning removed from the forest (ThinRem). A climate change scenario was tested (ca. 3 °C increase in air temperature and 9% increase in precipitation). The model was run at 1 km resolution using climate, vegetation and soil databases. The estimated SOC stock ranged from 1600 to 1830 TgC (from 6800 to 7800 gC/m2), and the SOC stock was largest with the longest rotation and was largest under ThinLef with all three rotations. Despite an increase in net primary production, the SOC stock decreased by 5% under the climate change scenario.

Forest management and its impact on present and potential future Chinese insect biodiversity—A butterfly case study from Gansu Province

The butterfly fauna of west parts of the Central Chinese Qinling Mountains was studied in the Xiaolongshan Forests (which are situated in Gansu Province) and the impact of forest management characterised. Field assessment is based on transects, supplemented by field investigations, and yielded 218 butterfly species. 95 of these species (=44%) belong to the Palaearctic Region, 46 (=21%) to the Oriental Region, and 77 (=35%) are widespread. Five different forest management regimes have been studied, from close-to-nature forests to mixed forest to shrub. The number of species differed from 86 to 15 species, which gives a first indication of the impacts of forestry, but also for the opportunities these regimes might provide for the conservation of butterflies as core elements of biodiversity.

Impacts of initial stand density and thinning regimes on energy wood production and management-related CO2 emissions in boreal ecosystems

An ecosystem model (Sima) was utilised to investigate the impact of forest management (by changing both the initial stand density and basal area thinning thresholds from current recommendations) on energy wood production (at energy wood thinning and final felling) and management-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for the energy wood production in Finnish boreal conditions (62°39′ N, 29°37′ E). The simultaneous effects of energy wood, timber and C stocks in the forest ecosystem (live and dead biomass) were also assessed. The analyses were carried out at stand level during a rotation period of 80 years for Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.) growing in different fertility sites. Generally, the results showed that decreased basal area thinning thresholds, compared with current thinning, reduced energy wood (logging residues) and timber production, as well as carbon stocks in the forest ecosystem. Conversely, increased thinning thresholds increased energy wood production (ca. 1–27%) at both energy wood thinning and final felling and reduced CO2 emissions (ca. 2–6%) related to the production chain (e.g. management operations), depending on the thinning threshold levels, initial stand density, species and site. Increased thinning thresholds also enhanced timber production and carbon stocks in the forest ecosystem. Additionally, increased initial stand density enhanced energy wood production for energy wood thinning for both species, but this reduced energy wood production at final felling for Scots pine and Norway spruce. This study concluded that increases in both initial stand density and thinning thresholds, compared with the current level, could be useful in energy wood, timber and carbon stocks enhancement, as well as reducing management-related CO2 emissions for energy wood production. Only 2.4–3.3% of input of the produced energy (energy wood) was required during the whole production chain, depending on the management regime, species and sites. However, a comprehensive substitution analysis of wood-based energy, in respect to environmental benefits, would also require the inclusion of CO2 emissions related to ecosystem processes (e.g. decomposition).

The impact of forest management on litter-dwelling invertebrates: a subtropical–temperate contrast

Land use intensification in forests is a main driver of global biodiversity loss. Although historical state of land use differs between subtropical and temperate zones, gradients of land-use intensities similarly range from unmanaged to very intensively managed forests. Irrespective of similar land use forces in both climate zones, comparative studies on land use effects are still rare. Such studies are, however, promising in discovering more general impacts and geographical specifics of land use intensification. We studied litter-dwelling invertebrates along a gradient of increasing land use intensity in subtropical forests in Southern Brazil and temperate forests in Central Europe using similar sampling designs. Effects of land use intensity on the entire community were analyzed on the level of orders and feeding guilds. In both climate zones a similar number of individuals were caught when standardizes to 100 pitfall trap days, but taxa richness was higher in the subtropics. Moreover, community composition differed between both climate zones. In both regions, land use intensity did not affect taxa richness, but invertebrate abundance was affected in opposite ways; while increasing land use intensity resulted in a decrease of invertebrate abundance in the subtropics, an increase was observed in the temperate zone and this was mostly consistent regarding different feeding guilds. Management practices should take into account that the effect of land use intensity on biodiversity can differ drastically among climatic regions.

Orchid abundance in hemiboreal forests: stand-scale effects of clear-cutting, green-tree retention, and artificial drainage

The current knowledge on the impact of forest management on plant species of conservation concern is poor. We asked how three basic silvicultural techniques (clear-cutting, green-tree retention, and artificial drainage) affect the abundance of terrestrial orchid species and their communities in Estonia, hemiboreal Europe. Fixed-area, fixed-effort surveys (4 h per 2 ha plot) were used in 29 plot clusters representing five site types, with each cluster including plots of four treatments (old growth, mature managed forest, and cutover with and without live retention trees). Altogether 11 species of orchids were recorded in those 116 plots, with the most complete sets of species in artificially drained plots and mature stands. Five species were widely distributed among treatments and site types, but most site types also hosted shade-tolerant orchids (six species) that characteristically disappeared after timber harvesting. Cutover areas (3–7 years after harvest) hosted no species absent from uncut forest stands, and retention of solitary trees had no effect on orchid abundance over clear-cuts. Modern Estonian forest landscapes appear to support viable populations of many orchids, with rotation ages sufficient for population development of the majority of shade-tolerant species.

How good are managed forests at conserving native woodpecker communities? A study in sub-Himalayan dipterocarp forests of northwest India

We assessed the impact of forest management on woodpecker community structure sub-Himalayan dipterocarp sal ( Shorea robusta) forests. We selected eight sites representing four management-based ‘forest types’ (natural unworked sal, old- and young managed sal, and teak plantations). At each site, bird surveys were conducted along 2-km-long transects, 20 times during breeding and non-breeding seasons. Habitat characteristics were enumerated using circular and belt plots. Species composition across forest types was compared using multi-response permutation procedures. Indicator analysis identified woodpecker species preferring particular forest types. Biomass, abundance, and mean species richness of woodpeckers were highest in natural sal, intermediate in managed sal, and lowest in teak. There were apparent differences in woodpecker densities between seasons. Densities were higher in breeding season than non-breeding season for natural sal, while the opposite was true for managed sal. Woodpecker species composition significantly differed across forest types. The four largest species, including grey-headed ( Picus canus) and greater yellownape ( Picus flavinucha) that were identified as indicators, predominated natural sal but were scarce in other types. At a broader level, mean species richness of woodpeckers strongly indicated mean richness of other avifauna during breeding season. Our study suggests that forest management has significantly altered the sub-Himalayan woodpecker community structure. Managed sal forests, particularly teak plantations, are largely unable to support the original woodpecker assemblage during breeding season, although they provide foraging grounds during non-breeding season.

Modelling forest management within a global vegetation model—Part 1: Model structure and general behaviour

This article describes a new forest management module (FMM) that explicitly simulates forest stand growth and management within a process-based global vegetation model (GVM) called ORCHIDEE. The net primary productivity simulated by ORCHIDEE is used as an input to the FMM. The FMM then calculates stand and management characteristics such as stand density, tree size distribution, tree growth, the timing and intensity of thinnings and clear-cuts, wood extraction and litter generated after thinning. Some of these variables are then fed back to ORCHIDEE. These computations are made possible with a distribution-based modelling of individual tree size. The model derives natural mortality from the relative density index ( rdi), a competition index based on tree size and stand density. Based on the common forestry management principle of avoiding natural mortality, a set of rules is defined to calculate the recurrent intensity and frequency of forestry operations during the stand lifetime. The new-coupled model is called ORCHIDEE-FM (forest management). The general behaviour of ORCHIDEE-FM is analysed for a broadleaf forest in north-eastern France. Flux simulation throughout a forest rotation compare well with the literature values, both in absolute values and dynamics. Results from ORCHIDEE-FM highlight the impact of forest management on ecosystem C-cycling, both in terms of carbon fluxes and stocks. In particular, the average net ecosystem productivity (NEP) of 225 gC m −2 year −1 is close to the biome average of 311 gC m −2 year −1. The NEP of the “unmanaged” case is 40% lower, leading us to conclude that management explains 40% of the cumulated carbon sink over 150 years. A sensitivity analysis reveals 4 major avenues for improvement: a better determination of initial conditions, an improved allocation scheme to explain age-related decline in productivity, and an increased specificity of both the self-thinning curve and the biomass-diameter allometry.

Epiphytic lichen diversity in old-growth and managed Picea abies stands in Alpine spruce forests

In the last decades, a large body of literature has grown to evaluate the impact of forest management on epiphytic lichens in boreal coniferous forests. However, information is still lacking on coniferous forests of the Alps. This study compares lichen diversity between spruce forest stands of four successional stages: (1) young, (2) intermediate, (3) mature forests managed for timber production with a rotation cycle of 120–180 years, and (4) old-growth protected forests. The emphasis was placed on the occurrence of nationally rare and calicioid species (lichens and fungi traditionally referred to as Caliciales, known to be indicative of forest age and continuity). For each forest successional stage, four plots were selected. In each plot, 7 spruce individuals were surveyed for epiphytic lichens according to a standardised sampling method. Species richness increased from young to mature stands, while no difference was detected between mature and old-growth stands. This pattern was also confirmed for rare and calicioid species which are, however, more frequent in old-growth stands. Differences in species composition were also found between the different forest successional stages. Mature and old-growth plots slightly overlap, indicating that to some extent comparable lichen assemblages could be found in these stands. A nested pattern of species assemblages was found, old-growth stands hosting most of the species which were also found in stands belonging to the previous forest successional stages. Our results support the hypothesis that the management regime applied to spruce forests of the Italian Alps renders mature stands managed for timber production somewhat similar to old-growth stands as lichen habitat. However, we found a higher complexity in old-growth forests, and many species of conservation concern clearly preferred old-growth stands. In this perspective, a further prolongation of the normal cycle it is likely to be a most favourable conservation-oriented management to be recommended at least within protected areas and Natura 2000 sites, where conservation purposes should receive a high priority.

Saproxylic beetle assemblages in the Mediterranean region: Impact of forest management on richness and structure

Forests cover almost 30% of the Mediterranean region today, yet forest management activities have influenced structure and composition of both natural and planted forests. To date no study has been conducted to evaluate the impact of forest management on saproxylic beetle assemblages, although it is known that the Mediterranean is a biodiversity hotspot with a long-lasting human pressure on natural habitats. We provide an overview of saproxylic beetle assemblages of three forest types (mature Pinus halepensis forests, mature Pinus brutia forests, young Quercus calliprinos forests) in the East Mediterranean region using a one-year sample from 12 forest plots located in the north of Israel. The studied forest types differed in forest structure, but we found no significant difference in saproxylic beetle species richness. Aleppo pine forests showed the largest number of saproxylic beetle species. Forests dominated by P. brutia, a non-native tree species in Israel, show the lowest species number of all three forest types. Species composition differs substantially between oak and pine forests. A third of the species found either in P. halepensis or in Q. calliprinos forests being unique to these habitats, while a smaller proportion of unique beetle species is found in P. brutia forests. Several beetle species that were found both in oak and pine plots in our study develop exclusively on broadleaved shrubs or trees. This may be explained by the small distances between the studied pine trees and oaks in their proximity. Biodiversity in pine forests can be increased when these are mixed with broad-leaved trees, e.g. oaks in the understorey layer, as can be observed the natural regrowth in most of the planted pine stands in our research area. There is some evidence from other studies that older successional stages of oak forests are likely to host more species overall than the mature pine forests studied here. In order to enhance structural diversity foresters should allow for aging of single trees or stands, regardless of the tree species.

Effects of forest landscape change and management on the range expansion of forest bird species in the Mediterranean region

In the western Mediterranean region of Catalonia (NE Spain), during the last 20 years of the 20th century, the range of many forest bird species has expanded. Our objective was to characterize the roles of (a) spatial population processes (related to dispersal), (b) changes in forest structure (due to forest maturation and management), and (c) landscape composition (resulting from afforestation and fires) in the range expansion of these bird species at the landscape scale (10 × 10 km). After correcting for the differences in sampling effort, colonizations appeared to be more likely near areas in which the species had been present in the 1980s. Patterns of the range expansion were also strongly associated with forest maturation, which seems to affect the spatial arrangement of birds at multiple scales. Changes in forest landscape composition due to afforestation and fires were minor determinants of range changes, and forest management did not seem to prevent range expansion at the spatial scale studied. Colonization events appeared to be driven primarily by landscape changes occurring in nearby localities rather than within the colonized locations themselves, presumably because of source–sink dynamics and connectivity patterns. Our results showed that in Catalonia, at a landscape scale, the impact of forest management on forest bird communities is much smaller than the impact of the widespread maturation of forests following a large-scale decline in traditional uses.

Impacts of grazing, selective logging and hyper‐aggressors on diurnal bird fauna in intact forest landscapes of the Brigalow Belt, Queensland

AbstractThe impact of forest management on diurnal bird assemblages and abundance was investigated in contiguous tracts of eucalypt forest in the Brigalow Belt Bioregion, south central Queensland. Sites were located across three levels of livestock grazing intensity and three levels of selective logging intensity within the most extensive habitat type, Corymbia citriodora‐dominant forest. We recorded a high rate of incidence and large numbers of the hyper‐aggressive noisy miner Manorina melanocephala (Passeriformes: Meliphagidae) at the majority of our survey sites, a phenomenon rarely reported in non‐cleared landscapes. As shown by numerous studies in fragmented landscapes, the distribution of this species in our study had a substantial negative effect upon the distribution of small passerine species. Noisy miners exerted the strongest influence upon small passerine abundance, and masked any forest management effects. However, key habitat features important for small passerines were identified, including a relatively high density of large trees and stems in the midstorey. Selective logging appeared to exert a minimal effect upon noisy miner abundance, whereas grazing intensity had a profound, positive influence. Noisy miners were most abundant in intensively grazed forest with minimal midstorey and a low volume of coarse woody debris. Higher road density in the forest landscape also corresponded with increased numbers of noisy miners. Reduction in grazing pressure in Brigalow Belt forests has the potential to benefit small passerine assemblages across large areas through moderating noisy miner abundance. The strong relationship between noisy miners and small passerines suggests that noisy miner abundance could act as an easily measured indicator of forest condition, potentially contributing to monitoring of forest management outcomes.

Modelling long-term impacts of environmental change on mid- and high-latitude European forests and options for adaptive forest management

The process based model SMART–SUMO–WATBAL was applied to 166 intensive monitoring forest plots of mid- and high-latitude Europe to evaluate the effects of expected future changes in carbon dioxide concentration, temperature, precipitation and nitrogen deposition on forest growth (net annual increment). These results were used in the large-scale forest scenario model EFISCEN (European Forest Information SCENario model) to upscale impacts of environmental change and to combine these results with adapted forest management. Because of the few plots available, Mediterranean countries were excluded from analyses. Results are presented for 109 million ha in 23 European countries. We predict significant impacts of environmental change on mid- and high-latitude European forests. Under a no climate change scenario, an increased fellings scenario assumed wood demand to increase from 3.8 to 5.3 m 3 ha −1 yr −1 between 2000 and 2010, maintaining growing stock volumes at around 170 m 3 ha −1. In 2100 it was thus possible to cut 50% more under intensive management than current felling level. Climate change increased this possibility to 90% (from 3.8 to 7.2 m 3 ha −1 yr −1). The growing stock in 2100 increased to 279 m 3 ha −1 under base felling level and no environmental change, but under environmental change, the rise was up to 381 m 3 ha −1 in 2100. The average carbon stock of whole tree biomass was 72 Mg ha −1 carbon in 2005 and it increased to a predicted 104 Mg ha −1 carbon in 2100 under no environmental change and base fellings. Environmental change enhanced the build up of carbon stocks to up to 143 Mg ha −1 carbon in 2100. An average 35–40% higher increment is thus foreseen for 2100 compared to a no environmental change scenario (both under base fellings). The largest relative growth rate change is foreseen for the Nordic countries, with up to 75% growth increase. The impact of environmental change on C stock change in trees is as significant as the impact of forest management.

Impact of forest management on genetic diversity of Quercus petraea populations: a case study from the Křivoklátsko Protected Landscape Area (Czech Republic)

Impact of forest management on genetic diversity of Quercus petraea populations: a case study from the Křivoklátsko Protected Landscape Area (Czech Republic) In the Křivoklátsko Protected Landscape Area (Czech Republic), the relation between genetic diversity and intensity of management was studied in 3 populations of Quercus petraea (Mattuschka) Liebl. (sessile oak). Microsatellite analysis was used to assess genetic diversity. The results indicate that differences between populations in average number of alleles per locus are so small that no genetic difference can be proved between them. The values of heterozygosity for all 3 studied populations confirm the absence of significant genetic differences among them.

Impact of forest management on the diversity of corticolous bryophyte assemblages in temperate forests

This study aimed at comparing the composition, the structure and the organisation of corticolous bryophyte assemblages (recorded within a 400 m 2 plot) between three silvicultural managements widely conducted in Europe: Even-Aged pure beech Forest (EAF), Coppice With Standards system (CWS) and Selective Cutting systems (SC). The stands used for the study were located in two neighbouring regions of northern France. Comparisons were performed using a functional approach based on species’ ecological requirements and life traits combined with multivariate analyses. Along the silvicultural cycle of the EAF, stand age and canopy opening were the main ecological factors influencing corticolous bryophyte assemblages. Old stands with a low canopy cover contained all the functional groups, with a preponderance of late successional and obligatory shade species. The regeneration stage appeared to be an outlier because of its lowest species richness. Although the same functional groups occurred in CWS and SC as in EAF, the bryophyte assemblages shared compositional and structural characteristics similar to those of EAF early and middle successional stages. This indicates that successional processes are not maintained by these management types and that the latter do not seem to favour late successional-obligatory shade species. EAF successional stages, CWS and SC did not exhibit differences in the relative species richness (i.e. the ratio between the number of species within the 400 m 2 plot (SR) and the richness of the local species pool) except for EAF regeneration stands. The results are used to propose practical ecological background information for the elaboration of forest management policies.

The Impacts of Forest Management on Invertebrate Communities Associated with Submerged Leaves in Forested Adirondack Streams

ABSTRACT We compared seven small (2–6 km2) upland watersheds located in two land-use categories (logged and unlogged) in the Adirondack Park (New York). Watersheds were considered logged if the lands were managed for timber harvesting, while unlogged watersheds have not been logged for at least 85 years. Riparian litter species composition and biomass were estimated for each stream. In-stream leaves were also sampled to assess invertebrate community assemblages and leaf species composition. Leaf material in logged catchments was composed mainly of litter that decomposes more quickly and is thus of higher quality to the invertebrate consumer (i.e., Acer spp., Populus tremuloides and Fraxinus americana). Leaves in unlogged catchments contained a higher abundance of invertebrates and detritivorous insects throughout the year. The results suggest that alterations to the invertebrate community related to land-use may result in differing energy processing rates in logged Adirondack watersheds.

Genetic diversity and differentiation in European beech ( Fagus sylvatica L.) stands varying in management history

The impact of forest management on genetic diversity and mating was examined in European beech ( Fagus sylvatica L.). Ten beech stands located in Europe were studied in pair-wise plots, differing in management intensity. The stands were genotyped with four highly polymorphic microsatellite loci. Comparison for genetic diversity measures between the stands with limited management and the high management-intensity stands (mostly shelter wood system) revealed no significant differences for allelic richness ( A), effective number of alleles ( A e), number of rare alleles ( A rare), neither for observed ( H o) nor expected heterozygosity ( H e). In all stands a significant excess of homozygotes was found, which is in agreement with previous isozyme publications. However, the increase in the inbreeding coefficient ( F is) in the stands with limited management was significantly higher than in the highly managed stands. Expectedly a low, but significant, differentiation among all stands was found ( F st = 0.058) which still reveals a clear geographic structure. The results indicate that the shelter wood system has no or minimum impact on the genetic diversity in European beech.

Carbon inventory methods and carbon mitigation potentials of forests in Europe: a short review of recent progress

The role of European forests and forest management in the carbon balance has received much attention in research recently. This was particularly motivated by the recognition of forest management as one possible measure countries may adopt in the framework of the Kyoto Protocol to reduce the concentration of greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere. The main method to assess carbon budget in forests is based on traditional forest inventories. This method requires the conversion of measured stem volume to carbon pools. This conversion has been identified as a large source of uncertainty in past assessments. Over the last 5 years, intensive research efforts have resulted in significant advances in the reliability of forest inventory based carbon budgets. In parallel, the impact of forest management on the carbon balance of forest ecosystems has been investigated and the carbon mitigation potential of these activities has been analysed. This paper reviews the progress that was made in these two fields of research with a particular focus on European forests.

The impact of nitrogen deposition on carbon sequestration in European forests and forest soils

AbstractAn estimate of net carbon (C) pool changes and long‐term C sequestration in trees and soils was made at more than 100 intensively monitored forest plots (level II plots) and scaled up to Europe based on data for more than 6000 forested plots in a systematic 16 km × 16 km grid (level I plots). C pool changes in trees at the level II plots were based on repeated forest growth surveys At the level I plots, an estimate of the mean annual C pool changes was derived from stand age and available site quality characteristics. C sequestration, being equal to the long‐term C pool changes accounting for CO2 emissions because of harvest and forest fires, was assumed 33% of the overall C pool changes by growth. C sequestration in the soil were based on calculated nitrogen (N) retention (N deposition minus net N uptake minus N leaching) rates in soils, multiplied by the C/N ratio of the forest soils, using measured data only (level II plots) or a combination of measurements and model calculations (level I plots). Net C sequestration by forests in Europe (both trees and soil) was estimated at 0.117 Gton yr−1, with the C sequestration in stem wood being approximately four times as high (0.094 Gton yr−1) as the C sequestration in the soil (0.023 Gton yr−1). The European average impact of an additional N input on the net C sequestration was estimated at approximately 25 kg C kg−1 N for both tree wood and soil. The contribution of an average additional N deposition on European forests of 2.8 kg ha−1 yr−1 in the period 1960–2000 was estimated at 0.0118 Gton yr−1, being equal to 10% of the net C sequestration in both trees and soil in that period (0.117 Gton yr−1). The C sequestration in trees increased from Northern to Central Europe, whereas the C sequestration in soil was high in Central Europe and low in Northern and Southern Europe. The result of this study implies that the impact of forest management on tree growth is most important in explaining the C pool changes in European forests.

Species diversity and species composition of epiphytic bryophytes and lichens – a comparison of managed and unmanaged beech forests in NE Germany

AbstractThe impact of forest management on the species diversity and species composition of epiphytic bryophytes and lichens in beech forests (Fagus sylvatica) of NE Germany was analysed. The investigations were carried out in one unmanaged and in one managed forest, with 45 sample plots of 400 m2each. In the sample plots, the presence of the epiphytes on 2–4 randomly chosen trees (100 trees per forest) and seven environmental variables were recorded. The total number of species and the mean lichen density per mantle area was higher in the unmanaged forest than in the managed forest. Regression analyses and DCA revealed the diameter at breast height (dbh) as the most important factor affecting the species diversity and species composition in both forest types. The dbh was positively correlated with the number of growth anomalies and with the bark roughness of the phorophytes and thus a good indicator for the habitat quality. Moreover, the light conditions had a significant impact on the species composition in both forests types and on the species diversity in the managed forest. In particular, epiphytes demanding shady conditions and a consistent humidity may suffer from the abrupt exposition to radiation and the lower humidity after logging. Species typical for the unmanaged forest and most rare species must be considered as stenoecious as they demand the shady and humid conditions of the forest interior and grow on old, large trees. With the aim of sustaining the diversity of epiphytic bryophytes and lichens, forest management should ensure the continuous occurrence of big trees above the target diameter. In addition, a single tree selection felling method should be applied to minimise strong changes in the microclimate. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Potential impact of forest management and tree improvement on genetic diversity of Turkish red pine ( Pinus brutia Ten.) plantations in Turkey

Genetic diversity was determined and compared by using 86 random amplified polymorphic DNA loci in 450 families originated from 18 Pinus brutia Ten. (Turkish red pine) seed sources. These seed sources were sampled at three different categories and included six seed stands from six different breeding zones and six seed orchards, and six plantations which were originated from the respective seed stands. Genetic diversity parameters among the plantations, seed orchards and seed stands were compared. There was no significant difference in genetic diversity parameters of seed sources, but the percentages of polymorphic loci were slightly higher in seed orchards than their natural counterparts. These results suggest that through phenotypic selection practiced genetic diversity residing in natural stands seems to be successfully captured in seed orchards. Mean F ST values ( F ST = 0.10–0.11) did not vary among three different categories of seed sources. Seed orchards ( F IS = 0.03) and plantations ( F IS = 0.07) showed reduced locality inbreeding coefficients compared with seed stands ( F IS = 0.13). The dendrogram of seed stands based on genetic distances did not produce any clusters of populations that could be attributed to their geographic proximity. A representative portion of genetic diversity existing in natural populations of Turkish red pine appears to be captured in established seed orchards and plantations with seeds from seed stands.