Forest Owners Research Articles

Spor Lesů České republiky, s. p., se správními orgány o včasnou reakci na kůrovcovou kalamitu

The bark beetle calamity that hit the Czech Republic has been reflected, among other things, in the approach of administrative authorities and courts reviewing administrative acts. The article is an expert report that provides information on the judgment of the Municipal Court in Prague, which reflects the current approach of the courts to the assessment of offences consisting in neglect of forest care during the bark beetle calamity. The example of the state entity shows how this entity uses technical and professional security in the case of forest care during a bark beetle calamity. By analyzing the court decision, it was concluded that it is necessary to strictly comply with the obligations of the forest manager or owner to ensure forest protection against bark beetle calamity, but it should not become a precedent against small owners who do not have the personnel and technical capabilities of large forestry companies. According to the conclusions, it is evident that the court decision imposes high requirements on the forest owner, which the small owner is not able to meet. The article invites a discussion on whether the state should take a more active role in measures against bark beetle calamities.

Taxonomy Regulation as a New Instrument for the Sustainable Management of the Forest Environment in Europe

Regulation (EU) 2020/852 of the European Parliament, also known as the Taxonomy Regulation, facilitates environmentally sustainable investments. It is part of the concept of the European Green Deal and a ‘tool’ for financial institutions, enterprises, and investors, facilitating the assessment of the environmental impact of a particular project. The Regulation contains the criteria an activity must meet to be considered environmentally sustainable. The role of the Taxonomy Regulation is to enable the flow of public and private capital towards ecological and sustainable activities. The document does not need to be implemented into the legal order of individual EU member-states, which results in its direct application. The main financial instruments enabling the achievement of the goals of the Taxonomy Regulation may be green bonds and other forms of capital raising by entrepreneurs and forest ownership structures. The assumption of the Regulation is to achieve the principles of sustainable environmental activity when spending funds obtained from private investors. It is an issue of key significance to identify the areas of management and financial accounting in the operational activities of forest enterprises that can be qualified for the Taxonomy Regulation. Forestry activities, including the processes mentioned therein, the objectives of the New EU Forest Strategy, and the LULUCF Regulation, are to play an essential role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The role of forestry in the supply chain in its broad sense is also considered. Forestry and forest management can receive capital for sustainable development due to the threat resulting from exclusions that strengthen the protective function of the forest (the protection of biodiversity). These processes will occur at the expense of production and numerous social functions.

Mapping pathogenic fungi in decayed Norway spruce stands: Insights from harvester positional data

Abstract Root and butt rot caused by pathogenic fungi in the genera Heterobasidion and Armillaria is a pressing issue in managed Norway spruce forests. The disease results in financial losses for the forest owners and reduces the volume of wood that can be used in long‐lived products. Pathogenic wood decay fungi spread either with the aid of airborne spores or via mycelial growth among neighbouring trees, the latter leading to clustering (tendency of decayed trees to be in close proximity relative to their neighbouring trees) of decay‐affected trees in forests. Understanding the spatial patterns of the decay‐affected trees at the forest stand level is vital for designing management strategies to address this problem. We examined decay clustering in 273 clear‐cut Norway spruce stands in Norway using harvester‐recorded data on spatial occurrence of decayed and healthy Norway spruce trees. We tested clustering using three global‐cluster tests that account for population density and distribution, evaluating clustering without identifying specific cluster locations. The proportions of clustered and non‐clustered stands differed depending on the statistical test used for clustering assessment, resulting in overall agreement of 32.8% for clustered and 36.9% for non‐clustered. Clustered stands exhibited a median cluster distance (maximum distance between the decay‐affected trees within a cluster) of 12 m (Inter‐Quantile Range, IQR, 6–20 m) and a median of 6 (IQR 3–16) nearest neighbour trees (number of decayed trees forming a cluster), estimates comparable with prior studies focused on assessment of trees infected by mycelial spread of the same fungal individual. The decay incidence in the clustered stands was 16.24%, while the non‐clustered stands had a butt‐rot incidence of 20.97%. In clustered stands the average number of trees per hectare was higher (693) than in non‐clustered stands (553). Synthesis and applications: Our study demonstrates that Norway spruce stands display a diverse range of spatial patterns of butt rotted trees. We found that higher densities of Norway spruce trees probably facilitate the vegetative spread of pathogenic wood decay fungi, leading to clustering of decay‐affected trees. To disrupt the spread of decay fungi between tree generations, precision planting of trees other than Norway spruce around infested stumps of prior generation trees has been recommended by earlier studies. We discussed the potential of using harvester‐derived geoposition data for butt‐rotted trees upon planning and execution of forest regeneration.

Wetland Restoration benefits both climate and biodiversity

Wetland Restoration benefits both climate and biodiversity In GRIP on LIFE IP, public authorities in Sweden work together with forest owners’ associations, non-governmental organisations and researchers to improve environmental consideration of waters and wetlands in the forest landscape while continuing active forest management. Our goal is to improve the environment and conditions for animals and plants living in the forest’s watercourses and wetlands.

Forest Owner Attitudes Toward Climate-Proof Forest Management in Sweden and the Netherlands—Between Forest Strategies and Practical Measures

Forest Owner Attitudes Toward Climate-Proof Forest Management in Sweden and the Netherlands—Between Forest Strategies and Practical Measures

The potential of small-scale owners’ associations for sustainable forest management: the case of the Czech Republic

ABSTRACT Small-scale owners constitute an essential share of private forest ownership, and their decision-making significantly affects nature conservation and landscape formation. From economic and environmental viewpoints, forest owners’ associations are one of the most effective ways to manage small-scale forest property. Using the example of the Czech Republic, this paper focuses on small-scale forest associations’ potential in sustainable forest management. For the qualitative study, the authors interviewed small-scale owners to elicit how they perceived joint management through associations and what they considered their most significant benefits and values. The findings indicate that although small-scale owners realize the importance of associations for joint forest management, they are reluctant to join or form them. Their restraints mainly result from insufficient awareness. Improving the communication strategy amongst forest policy players with small-scale owners as stakeholders on the one side and state authorities on the other is vital. The positive approach could also be reached by inevitable changes in legislation and subsidy schemes because, as they are set now, they provide little opportunity for small-scale owners to associate. The findings, however, indicate a shift from small-scale owners perceiving the forest purely economically to understanding its socio-ecological values.

Leucoanthocyanidin Reductase 3 (PaLAR3) Locus in Norway Spruce (Picea abies) and Its Link to Resistance Against Heterobasidion parviporum

ABSTRACTHeterobasidion parviporum is a fungal pathogen that is drastically damaging Norway spruce (Picea abies) in Europe. The infections will result in root and stem rot, causing significant economic losses for forest owners. Previous studies have shown that the PaLAR3 gene, which encodes the leucoanthocyanidin reductase enzyme, can increase resistance to H. parviporum in Norway spruce. The presence of the B allele at the PaLAR3 locus has been associated with higher (+)‐catechin concentrations and increased enzyme production in inoculation experiments, resulting in inhibited pathogen growth. The control of H. parviporum involves a multifaceted approach, including silvicultural and sustainable forestry practices, genetic resistance and chemical/biological control. In this study, we determined the PaLAR3 genotypes in a representative sample of Norway spruce breeding materials from southern Finland and examined their effect on necrosis caused by H. parviporum in spruce stems. The results showed that the homozygous PaLAR3BB genotype was present in only 9% of the trees. However, the necrotic area interacted with homozygous PaLAR3BB under low‐water treatment. These findings support the idea that the PaLAR3 locus may be a valuable marker for identifying P. abies resistance to different strains of Heterobasidion parviporum.

Fuel for collective action: A SWOT analysis to identify social barriers and drivers for a local woody biomass supply chain in an Italian alpine valley

The role of woody biomass in the clean energy transition is substantial in the EU. Forest residues are one of the main biomass sources that can be used for energy production, but their use to support the energy transition is still limited for several reasons. Research has shown that the use of forest residues in energy production can be effectively stimulated through collective actions that aim to develop short and local supply chains. This study aims to identify the barriers and drivers for the development of a local supply chain for forest residues in an Italian alpine valley, gathering and analysing the perspectives of all involved local actors, that is, (i) suppliers - the communities that own the forest resources, (ii) intermediaries - the forest professionals providing extension and advice services to owners and the harvesting companies; and (iii) the final consumers, in this case the local municipalities and hospitality enterprises. Data are analysed using a SWOT analysis. The results show that the suppliers identified opportunities especially, while the final consumers focused more on strengths, weaknesses, and threats. The SWOT categories in terms of the number of different factors were weaknesses (37 %), strengths (27 %), threats (18 %), and opportunities (17 %). Opportunities and strengths were considered as drivers, while threats and weaknesses were barriers. Several drivers emerged, such as a general predisposition toward the development of a local supply chain for forest residues, social homogeneity in terms of knowledge and management of the land, and common challenges. Barriers also emerged in the form of limited know-how on the supply chain potential, but also in limited availability to concede control between different forest owners over their property. The SWOT results are useful to design strategies to support the development of the supply chain: four possible strategies, amongst which flexible cooperation processes between different categories of stakeholders, and the organisation of a buying group of the hospitality enterprises, were suggested.

Development of a Methodology for the Monitoring of Socio-Economic Indicators of Private Forest Owners towards Sustainable Forest Management: The Case of Lithuania

The development of a monitoring system for the socio-economic indicators of private forest owners includes the comprehensive collection of various socio-economic data. These data encompass general information about private forests owners, the need for monitoring, periodicity, and other relevant factors. This holistic approach allows for a detailed assessment of the social and economic conditions of private forest owners, as well as the economic efficiency of their operations, ultimately aiming to achieve sustainable forest management. This research builds upon previous studies by the authors that investigated the need for monitoring of the socio-economic indicators of private forests and involved interviews with forest experts. Based on the data obtained from these earlier efforts, this study aims to present a refined methodology for monitoring of the socio-economic indicators of Lithuanian private forest owners. Based on the findings of this research, it is highly recommended that monitoring be implemented at the state level across the entire territory of the Republic of Lithuania. The results of this research show that the monitoring of the economic and social indicators of private forest owners benefits not only the owners but also the state and society as a whole. Residence size, property size, and association membership emerged as the most significant factors influencing the need for forest monitoring, while knowledge in forestry, distance to the forest, and gender showed weaker but still notable effects. The research results suggest that monitoring can help to ensure the sustainable management of forests and the maintenance of ecosystem services, in addition to contributing to the region’s economic development. It is recommended that this monitoring be conducted every five years.

Forest carbon payments: A multidisciplinary review of policy options for promoting carbon storage in EU member states

Forest carbon sinks can play an important role in mitigating climate change, but currently only a few policies exist globally where economic incentives are created for forest owners to maintain and strengthen sinks. This article aims to facilitate the design and implementation of governmental payment schemes for forest carbon uptake services by presenting a multidisciplinary analysis of the many challenges involved in such schemes and by proposing potential solutions. We assess the consequences, opportunities, and risks of carbon payment schemes from economic, ecological, social, and legal points of view based on existing literature. Our analysis is set in the context of the European Union (EU), but many of the central findings have relevance for a broader geographical area. The main economic challenges of implementing carbon payment schemes relate to potential leakage, the question of additionality, and uncertain forest-owner behavior. The most important ecological considerations include effects on soil carbon dynamics and biodiversity as well as issues of non-permanence and forest resilience. Our exploration of the social acceptance of carbon payments among the general public, key market actors such as forest owners and forest industry, and other stakeholders suggest that both the process of developing the scheme and its details are significant. Further, our legal analysis indicates that central challenges for carbon payment schemes within the EU rise from the requirement to comply with competition and state aid regulations. Finally, we synthesize our findings and suggest a two-step approach for introducing public carbon payments in an EU member state. Initially, the scheme could be launched via De minimis aid or the new aid scheme (GAFSRA). A low carbon price could be applied to moderate market effects, and the payments could be limited to additional carbon storage only. Peatlands, where tradeoffs exist between tree biomass carbon and soil carbon, should initially be excluded from the standard payment scheme, and regulated with command-and-control instruments and measure-based payments instead. In the future, an improved knowledge base and institutional changes may enable schemes that encompass all ecosystem carbon pools on all relevant soil types and create optimal incentives for both forest management and land-use choices by pricing all land-based sinks and emissions. Such schemes could utilize, e.g., cap-and-trade instruments and be complemented by import tariffs to control carbon leakage.

West Virginia forest landowners’ preferences for forest carbon offset programs

Several carbon offset programs allow West Virginia (WV) forest landowners to manage their forests to mitigate climate change and promote forest sustainability while providing an opportunity to earn extra income through carbon offset credits. While this market has grown rapidly, accessibility issues for small family forest owners remain. This study examines WV forest landowners’ insights and understanding of forest carbon offset programs and program preferences through an online survey of WV's Managed Timberland Program participants. Results showed that 97 % of respondents find it important to keep their land forested and 41 % think that carbon offset programs will help keep their land forested. However, the majority have no knowledge of carbon offset programs (55 %) nor an understanding the credit generation process (60 %). An econometric model was estimated to examine the influence of program attributes to landowners’ decision to enroll in a carbon offset program. Survey results suggest that landowners will more likely participate in carbon offset programs that require shorter time commitment (1–5 years), pay higher revenues, allow harvest or limited harvest restrictions, and do not charge an early withdrawal penalty. For example, a $1 increase in revenue payment raises the probability of enrolling in a carbon offset program by 1.2 %. However, extending the time commitment from 1 to 5 years to 40 years or 100 years decreases the probability of enrollment by 10.3 % and 17.4 %, respectively. Additionally, prohibiting harvest and imposing an early withdrawal penalty decrease the probability of enrollment by 18.1 % and 9.5 %, respectively. Landowners expressed greater willingness to enroll if they believe it is important to keep their land forested, they have familiarity and knowledge of the carbon offset market, and they believe carbon offset programs will help keep their land forested. Age, educational level, and length of ownership were also found to be significant factors in influencing landowner participation in forest carbon offset programs. Lastly, a welfare estimate, or landowners’ willingness-to-accept (WTA), was estimated for each of the program attributes. Surveyed landowners’ WTA payment for a carbon program was $22/ha/year or $37/ha/year greater if program duration increased from 1 to 5 years to 40 years or 100 years, respectively. In addition, landowners’ WTA payment was $39/ha/year greater if a “no harvest” requirement is implemented and $19/ha/year more if a penalty for early withdrawal is imposed. This study shows how factors like duration, payment, harvest restrictions, and withdrawal penalties influence landowner enrollment in carbon offset programs. By examining the preferences and decision-making processes of forest owners, this research fills a critical gap in the literature by providing insights into the drivers of program participation. The findings contribute to a better understanding of how to design more effective carbon programs that align with landowner motivations, ultimately supporting climate mitigation goals and sustainable forest management practices.

Balancing forest area preservation and biodiversity offsets in the forest: Forest owners’ policy preferences

In many densely populated countries in Europe, land suitable for agriculture, forest and protected areas is becoming scarcer with expanding settlement area. One way to mitigate this pressure is to abstain from the in-kind replacement of forest clearances and to allow for their compensation by nature conservation projects on areas other than agricultural land, including the forest itself. It is particularly the latter that implies a difficult trade-off for forest owners who adhere to the forest area preservation principle but at the same time support biodiversity offsetting in the forest as a potential new source of income.This paper analyses the stated preferences of forest owners in the Swiss canton of Berne with a discrete choice survey experiment that allows examining how forest owners reconcile this trade-off and whether the requirement to spatially coordinate offsets affects their willingness to participate in such a scheme. The results show that while biodiversity offsetting in the forest is disputed and support is generally low, those forest owners that participate do not exclusively offer low-effectivity measures on marginal forest land. However, they also demand substantial financial compensation. A spatial coordination of biodiversity offsets is certainly not their main concern and thus needs to be secured by respective regulation.

Factors influencing forest landowner enrollment in preferential property tax programs

One of the most common approaches to conserving forestland in the US are state-run programs offering reduced property taxes on forestland. Although some form of preferential forest property tax program exists in all 50 states of the US, few studies have examined factors associated with landowners’ enrollment in such programs. As interest increases in incentivizing forestland owners to address various environmental or ecological goals, such as enhancing carbon storage or ecosystem services via private forest management, the need for improved knowledge about factors that influence landowners to participate in such programs grows. We examined factors associated with NIPF owner enrollment in preferential property tax programs in Oregon (US). Oregon currently has two primary preferential forest property tax programs. The Forestland Program is the default program for most forestland owners, and the Small Tract Forestland Option (STF), which is a voluntary program wherein landowners pay reduced annual property taxes and an additional timber harvest severance tax. We used a survey to gather information from 1190 Oregon Small Woodlands Association (OSWA) members owning between 10 and 5000 acres of forestland in western Oregon. Respondents were asked about their socio-demographic characteristics and forest management, as well as their enrollment status in Oregon's preferential property tax programs. Our econometric analysis of survey data indicate that preferential property tax programs enable long-term forest ownership, extended rotation ages, and investment in stewardship activities, suggesting that these programs are likely an effective tool for encouraging environmental or ecological goals among NIPF owners in Oregon.

Factors Affecting Activeness and Sustainability on Forestry in the Family Forests in Japan—From the Comparison between Aso in Japan and Styria in Austria

Forestry in Japan and Austria share many similarities in their natural and social conditions. However, the Family Forest Owners (FFOs) in Japan seem not to be active and sustainable. To understand the factors affecting activeness and sustainability in family-owned forests in Japan, in 2021 and 2022, questionnaire surveys were done with members of Forest Owners’ Cooperatives (FOCs) in Aso, Japan, and Styria, Austria. Survey responses were comparatively analyzed via correlation analysis and binary logistic regression. Timber production was found to be more active in FOC Styria than in FOC Aso. One reason for this was the high-income dependence on forestry in Styria. Higher income was realized by self-harvest and the larger size of forest holdings and forest stands. The younger age of the members in FOC Styria, strongly affected by the pension system, leads to a higher self-harvest ratio. The culture of a sole child inheriting the family forest maintains the general size and scale of owned forests and stands in Styria. High distribution costs in FOC Aso reduced forestry income. As a result, sustainability was reduced in Aso because the availability of successors was low, and elderly forest owners who were once motivated by forestry tended to quit forestry.

Forest Ownership Distinctiveness across the Globe: A Review

Forest Ownership Distinctiveness across the Globe: A Review

Developing nudges, nudge+ and boosts to support climate change mitigation in practice – A case study on ash fertilization among Finnish private forest owners

Forests are crucial for climate change mitigation as they absorb and store large amounts of carbon dioxide. In Finland, ash fertilization of drained peatland forests has been identified as part of the climate change mitigation strategy, yet it is implemented notably less than it could be. Therefore, this study aimed to identify most effective nudges, nudge+ and boosts that could steer Finnish non-industrial private forest (NIPF) owners to adopt ash fertilization in their forest. Semi-structured interviews with 19 NIPF owners were analyzed using the Behaviour change wheel to identify key factors influencing owners’ willingness to engage in ash fertilization. Most factors raised by forest owners were related to reflective motivation encompassing both drivers and barriers to practicing ash fertilization. We also identified possible cognitive biases that were influencing decisions. The suggested nudges, nudge+ and boosts address both the specific concerns of the forest owners and the underlying heuristics. For example, framing ash fertilization as a standard procedure of professional forest management and including it into forest management plans could facilitate overcoming status quo bias that may hinder the adoption of novel forest management practices. These findings are directly applicable for creating nudges, nudge+ and boosts on ash fertilization for experienced, professionally managing NIPF owners with larger forest estates. Our study also offers an approach that can be adapted for broader application in environmental and climate-friendly decision-making, contributing to the growing body of literature on the intersection of behavioral science and environmental management.

Detection of Hunting Pits using Airborne Laser Scanning and Deep Learning

ABSTRACT Forests worldwide contain unique cultural traces of past human land use. Increased pressure on forest ecosystems and intensive modern forest management methods threaten these ancient monuments and cultural remains. In northern Europe, older forests often contain very old traces, such as millennia-old hunting pits and indigenous Sami hearths. Investigations have repeatedly found that forest owners often fail to protect these cultural remains and that many are damaged by forestry operations. Current maps of hunting pits are incomplete, and the locations of known pits have poor spatial accuracy. This study investigated whether hunting pits can be automatically mapped using national airborne laser data and deep learning. The best model correctly mapped 70% of all the hunting pits in the test data with an F1 score of 0.76. This model can be implemented across northern Scandinavia and could have an immediate effect on the protection of cultural remains.

Prospective impacts of windstorm risk on carbon sinks and the forestry sector: an integrated assessment with Monte Carlo simulations

Abstract Storms pose a significant threat to economic activities in the forest sector and introduce non-permanence risks for carbon stocks. Following escalating climate ambitions, understanding and addressing these risks becomes imperative. Uncertainties intrinsic to the storm phenomenon render this task complex. This study uses an integrated forest sector model to assess the economic and carbon impacts of storm regimes, emphasizing the importance of uncertainties through Monte Carlo simulation. From an economic perspective, we unravel complex interplays between the salvage and inventory effects of storms that lead to heterogeneous transfers of economic welfare across agents and space. Non-affected forest owners benefit from inflated prices, while affected owners’ recovery hinges on the magnitude of storm damage. From a climate perspective, storms significantly impact the forest sector’s carbon sink, with a high risk of falling short on mitigation objectives. In 25% of simulations, we observe a substantial 24% decrease in carbon sequestration. Our findings advocate for (1) conservative reliance on natural carbon sinks in national climate mitigation strategies toward net-zero, and (2) tailored risk-sharing insurance mechanisms for forest owners, providing a buffer against economic uncertainties arising from climatic disruptions.

An examination of opportunities and risks to private forest planning efforts among Connecticut private forest owners

Private landowners own 56 % of forest lands in the United States, yet only 11 % of forest landowners have a management plan despite the ability of a plan to help establish goals and actions to promote forest stewardship. We conducted a web-based survey targeting private forest owners in Connecticut to understand the motivations and barriers to participating in a management planning process and paired the results with economic and environmental targets spatially. Landowners without plans differed from plan holders by gender identity and average parcel size, in addition to being less familiar with educational programs, and having personal priorities that did not include harvesting timber. Our findings indicate that barriers still inhibit engaged owners from seeking out and obtaining plans, supporting the notion that financial incentives associated with planning are less of a driver for active stewardship than alignment with landowner priorities. Survey results informed the development of forest opportunity and risk zones that incorporated social, economic, and environmental variables.

Change in forest species composition and its projections into the economy of forest owners

Change in forest species composition and its projections into the economy of forest owners