ABSTRACT Northern red oak originates from eastern North America and was introduced to Swedish forestry in the 1940–1950s. Long-term experimental plots were established in some of the early plantations to monitor growth and yield. This study summarizes the results from eight of the oldest experimental plots from the northern limit of the red oak’s distribution in Europe. All plots were situated in southern

ABSTRACT Forestry contractors have doubled their share of work in Swedish forests since the 1990s and have thus become important actors in the industry’s supply chain. Yet, their profitability has often been low. It is essential for a firm’s success to have a well-functioning business model. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize business models currently used by forestry contractors

ABSTRACT The first aim of the study was to present the methodology applied by the model WOody biomass and Carbon ASsessment to compute the past potentially available residues (RA; branches and tops only; t·yr−1 of dry matter, DM), potentially generated heat and electricity (TE, EE, respectively; GJ·yr−1) and potentially avoided CO2 emissions into the atmosphere (EM; t·yr−1 CO2) for the final combustion

ABSTRACT The influence of thinning on growth, development, and yield of a spruce understory and a pine overstory was examined based on an experiment including five stands in southern Finland. Two thinning intensities (regular and heavy) were applied to the pine overstory. They were combined with four treatments in the spruce understory: total removal, retention of 800 and 1600 stems ha−1, and untreated

ABSTRACT Forestland use right transactions (FURT) are mechanisms developed by China’s central government to cope with the problem of fragmented forestlands stemming from Collective Forest Tenure Reform (CFTR). We hypothesize that the rate of FURT remains surprisingly low after the CFTR because of households’ decision-making behavior, which depends on individual attitudes toward risks and benefits,

ABSTRACT Climate is a potential driver of tree allometry. To explore the sensitivity of height-diameter allometry to climate change, we compiled height-diameter pairs of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) in Arizona, western United States, together with the climate and environmental data of this species’ growing sites into a dataset, and selected power-law function as the basic allometric model. Then

ABSTRACT Forest regeneration by tree planting on harvested sites in the boreal forests of northern Europe is frequently preceded by site preparation to increase survival and growth of the seedlings. We studied whether a small addition of arginine phosphate (AP treatment) at the time of planting would further enhance the seedlings’ early performance. Following two growth seasons, we investigated survival

ABSTRACT In recent years, there has been an apparent Europe-wide emerging presence of brown spot needle blight, a disease of pine species caused by the fungus Lecanosticta acicola. In this study, we report the first well-documented occurrences of the pathogen in Slovakia, identified molecularly using species-specific primers and based on sequencing of the ITS region and TEF1 gene. Among the material

ABSTRACT Mongolian oak (Quercus mongolica) is an important timber species in northeast China, but overdeveloped lateral branches during the seedling stage often result in poor plant architecture and reduce the growth potential. Strigolactones (SLs) were proposed to play an important role in plant architecture by inhibiting the growth of lateral branches; however, there is no knowledge on the strigolactone

ABSTRACT Climate seasonality is one of the important environmental variables that can drive changes in many properties of trees. However, how different tree species regulate their growth and development during changes of the growing period particularly at sapling stage is little known. This study, therefore, evaluated how morphological, anatomical, and soil properties differed in two growing season

ABSTRACT We investigated the pre-breeding intersexual foraging habitat preferences of the great spotted woodpecker Dendrocopos major in six old, unmanaged riparian forest stands in Central Hungary, which are composed mainly of the invasive North American green ash Fraxinus pennysylvanica and boxelder Acer negundo, and native poplar Populus sp. and willow Salix sp. trees in lower abundances. With the

ABSTRACT Treatments added to young conifer stands aiming to compensate for the loss of nutrients and alkalinity associated with whole-tree harvesting for bioenergy purposes have the potential to affect the growth of competitors to the conifers. Three different nutrient compensation treatments were applied to a young Picea abies (L.) Karst. stand in south-west Sweden, 2 or 3 years following final felling

ABSTRACT In Fennoscandia, mixtures of Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) are of increasing interest, since they may deliver simultaneously a wide variety of benefits. However, there is still lack of information on how young mixed stands in managed production forests would develop under even-aged management with artificial regeneration of spruce. We inventoried ten

ABSTRACT This study aims to derive individual tree allometric equations for the above- and belowground biomass components of grey and common alder based on data sets obtained in Latvia. The species aboveground biomass data consisted of 81 trees collected in 27 forest stands. The belowground biomass data were obtained from 27 common alder and 28 grey alder trees sampled throughout Latvia. For grey and

ABSTRACT Accurate and up-to-date data about growing stock volume are essential for forest management planning. Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) is known for producing accurate wall-to-wall predictions but the data are at present collected at long time intervals. Digital Photogrammetry (DP) is cheaper and often more frequently available but known to be less accurate. This study investigates the potential

ABSTRACT An ex-ante impact assessment of land use plans is required in the preparation or revision phase to inform planners and other stakeholders about the possible or likely impacts of the plans. This study presents a method for estimating the quantitative effects of legislative decisions, the forest owner decisions, and a regional land use plan for forest resources and potential wood supply. The

ABSTRACT To understand the reliability of genetic determination and early selection of Pinus koraiensis, the genetic variation of growth traits of 34 full-sib families in different growth year were investigated and analyzed. The results showed significant differences in female and male parents and their interaction at different ages, and genetic variance components of growth traits between families

ABSTRACT The use of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) instead of pesticides to promote plant growth has received widespread attention. In this study, potted experiments and high-throughput Illumina MiSeq sequencing technology were used to evaluate the effects of inoculation of three PGPR strains on the biomass of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica and soil bacterial diversity. The results showed

ABSTRACT Despite numerous studies there are still uncertainties regarding regeneration strategies that are optimal for productivity and profitability. Thus the aim of this study was to establish effects of three regeneration methods (planting, direct seeding and natural regeneration) on the production and profitability of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands in southern Sweden. Long-term stand development

ABSTRACT The recent episodes of forest fires in Brazil and Australia of 2019 are tragic reminders of the hazards of forest fire. Globally incidents of forest fire events are on the rise due to human encroachment into the wilderness and climate change. Sikkim with a forest cover of more than 47%, suffers seasonal instances of frequent forest fire during the dry winter months. To address this issue,

ABSTRACT Developing an individual tree diameter increment (ΔDBH) model is the basis of near-natural management of mixed, uneven-aged oak forests. This analysis used remeasurement data (2009–2014) comprising 6154 observations from 112 permanent plots in central China to develop and compare an indicator variable model (IVM) and a mixed-effect model (MEM) to estimate ΔDBH. First, a basic model was estimated

ABSTRACT With cut-to-length harvesters, tree stems are measured and cut into different timber assortments at the time of felling. These measurement data collected from harvested trees can be used for decision-support at different levels of the forest industry chain and also for forest planning when combined with remote sensing data. The aim of this study was to examine the operational application for

ABSTRACT Implementing efficient timber transport strategies and methods requires that decision makers are able to analyse “What if” scenarios and to carry out benchmarking exercises with limited effort. To this end, we present a generic multi-actors optimisation model for timber transport planning under limited transport capacity which has been so designed as to facilitate the evaluation of alternative

ABSTRACT Genetic parameters are reported for coastal Douglas-fir, from measurements on 24,000 first-generation open-pollinated families (786 test sites) and 2,400 second-cycle crosses (120 test sites) over a period of 45 years. The following were estimated: across-site narrow-sense individual heritability (h2A), narrow-sense family mean heritability (h2F), and type B genetic correlation (rB), and.

ABSTRACT Fungi play an important role in mediating soil functioning and plant nutrients absorption. Although nitrogen (N) addition and reduced precipitation can affect fungal community composition, the response of fungal taxonomic and functional groups to changes in soil N and water availability is still unclear. Here, we established a long-term field manipulations experiment of N addition and throughfall

ABSTRACT Stump removal is considered as the most effective method to reduce losses caused by root rot fungi, including Heterobasidion root rot. To evaluate the persistence of Heterobasidion spp. in root fragments left on site after stump removal, and to analyse the ecological impact of stump removal, five permanent sample plots were established in Latvia and samples were taken immediately after stump

ABSTRACT To examine the potential for natural regeneration of Picea glehnii, seeds and current-year seedlings were evaluated at a scarification site. Three surface-soil treatments of different scarification intensity were used: removed, organic soil was mostly removed from the site; remained, some soil remained at the site; and replaced, the soil was removed but replaced. Seeds were sown in the fall

ABSTRACT Following the nuclear disaster of 1986, forests have established throughout the abandoned agricultural landscapes within Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (ChEZ). However, they are yet to be monitored properly. Their biometrical parameters need a robust assessment considering climate change mitigation potential and wildfire-induced risks. To predict basal area (BA) and growing stock volume (GSV) of

ABSTRACT Understanding diversity-productivity relationships (DPRs) is of theoretical importance and has practical implications for biodiversity conservation and forest management. Although the effects of species diversity and structural diversity on productivity have been a focus of intense research, the relative importance of these effects in different environments remains poorly understood. Based

ABSTRACT Forest inventory based on airborne laser scanning produces data for small grid cells. Various segmentation methods are used to cluster the grid cells into spatially continuous larger areas that correspond to forest stands. This study examined the performance of self-organizing map (SOM) in the delineation of forest stands. The SOM is also called Kohonen map or Kohonen network, according to

ABSTRACT This study highlights the potential of hand-held digital cameras and SFM-MVS to produce a 3D reconstruction of individual trees at the single tree level in a deciduous and uneven-aged forest (faculty of natural resource, Tarbiat Modares University-area with about 2400 m2 and 35 trees). A high coefficient of the determinant (R2 = 98%) was observed between DBH derived from both filed measurements

ABSTRACT Forest fragmentation has a relevant impact on biodiversity. An interesting alternative to estimate these indices is to use sampling data. This study aims to estimate aggregation index (AI) and the degree of clumping of forested landscape based on AI. The assessment was conducted using different point distances, inventory regions and cardinal directions. For this purpose, a dataset from one

ABSTRACT In UK forestry, the synthetic pyrethroid insecticides alpha-cypermethrin and cypermethrin have been used for many years to provide protection for young trees from damage by the large pine weevil, Hylobius abietis L. However, concerns over the toxicity of these insecticides has led to a search for alternatives. In our work, applications of 0.037 g.a.i.stem–1 acetamiprid provided high levels

ABSTRACT Admixtures of birch in Norway spruce plantations are being promoted as a means to increase habitat and species diversity. The implications of this mixture were analysed with regional survey data from southern Sweden. Permanent sample plots from the Swedish National Forest Inventory (NFI), with Norway spruce and admixture of birch, were used to describe the temporal trends in the admixture

ABSTRACT Altitude is a determining factor of vegetation composition, ecosystem properties and processes, and availability of soil nutrients. Present study examined soil nutrients at two depths i.e. 0–15 cm and 15–30 cm along altitudinal gradients (1800–4000 m asl) in the Indian western Himalaya. Results of the study reveals an increase in organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN), and total potassium

ABSTRACT Sustainable forest management requires tools to guide optimal silvicultural treatments. Timing and intensity of thinnings and timing of final harvest are key decisions. An Optimized Reforestation Management (herein, an ORM) model was developed to reach the optimal combination of thinning times, thinning intensities and rotation periods for Ecuadorian forest plantations of Alnus acuminata,

ABSTRACT The microclimate of streamside habitats are protected from the effects of logging with buffer strips of retained trees. However, these buffer strips are often narrow due to their financial loss. Wider, selectively logged buffers might protect the microclimate while providing the same economic return. This study investigates the effects of logging on the microclimate and the growth of the bryophyte

ABSTRACT Sustainable forest management requires tools to guide optimal silvicultural treatments. Timing and intensity of thinnings and timing of final harvest are key decisions. An Optimized Reforestation Management (herein, an ORM) model was developed to reach the optimal combination of thinning times, thinning intensities and rotation periods for Ecuadorian forest plantations of Alnus acuminata,

ABSTRACT The microclimate of streamside habitats are protected from the effects of logging with buffer strips of retained trees. However, these buffer strips are often narrow due to their financial loss. Wider, selectively logged buffers might protect the microclimate while providing the same economic return. This study investigates the effects of logging on the microclimate and the growth of the bryophyte

ABSTRACT Stand development in riparian forest buffers was simulated for three forest landscapes in Sweden, using data taken from a sample plot inventory along 38 streams. The objectives were: to quantify the effects on wood production and the economy of management alternatives for buffers; and to evaluate the development of important stand structures for buffer functionality. Buffer widths from 0 to

ABSTRACT Despite near-extinction in the nineteenth century, after efficient restoration measures the population of Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber L.) in Latvia currently is viable and growing. While the ecological effect of the species on water quality and biodiversity is generally positive, the high number of animals in production forests often creates challenges for management. Drainage ditches are

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of cellulosic wastes and nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) on the soil properties and the nutrient uptake by Quercus castaneifolia C.A.Mey seedlings. The seedlings were planted in pots (unpolluted soil) and cadmium (Cd) was added to the pots in three concentrations (10, 20, 30 mg.kg−1). Cellulosic wastes were mixed with the soil (at the

ABSTRACT Forests are under increasing pressure with increasing risk of conflicts between stakeholder groups with different interests in sustainable forest management (SFM). This study investigated the different dimensions of conflict as perceived by private forest owners and other stakeholders, and the likely impact of these pressures on SFM in a southern Swedish context. Data were collected through

ABSTRACT Forest productivity is a crucial variable in forest planning, usually expressed as site index (SI). In Nordic commercial forest inventories, SI is commonly estimated by a combination of aerial image interpretation, field assessment and information obtained from previous inventories. Airborne laser scanning (ALS) and digital aerial photogrammetry (DAP) data can alternatively be used for SI

ABSTRACT Despite near-extinction in the nineteenth century, after efficient restoration measures the population of Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber L.) in Latvia currently is viable and growing. While the ecological effect of the species on water quality and biodiversity is generally positive, the high number of animals in production forests often creates challenges for management. Drainage ditches are

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of cellulosic wastes and nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) on the soil properties and the nutrient uptake by Quercus castaneifolia C.A.Mey seedlings. The seedlings were planted in pots (unpolluted soil) and cadmium (Cd) was added to the pots in three concentrations (10, 20, 30 mg.kg−1). Cellulosic wastes were mixed with the soil (at the

ABSTRACT Forest productivity is a crucial variable in forest planning, usually expressed as site index (SI). In Nordic commercial forest inventories, SI is commonly estimated by a combination of aerial image interpretation, field assessment and information obtained from previous inventories. Airborne laser scanning (ALS) and digital aerial photogrammetry (DAP) data can alternatively be used for SI

ABSTRACT Forests are under increasing pressure with increasing risk of conflicts between stakeholder groups with different interests in sustainable forest management (SFM). This study investigated the different dimensions of conflict as perceived by private forest owners and other stakeholders, and the likely impact of these pressures on SFM in a southern Swedish context. Data were collected through

ABSTRACT Climate change has led to a focus on forest management techniques to increase carbon (C) sequestration as a mitigation measure. Fertilisation and increased removal of biomass have been proposed. But these and other forest practices may have undesirable effects on surface water quality. In naturally acid-sensitive areas such as much of Fennoscandia a concern is acidification due to acid deposition

ABSTRACT In design-based model assisted inference from data gathered in a large area forest inventory under a probability sampling design, one should anticipate spatial heterogeneity in the regression coefficients of an assisting model. The consequence of such heterogeneity is that a global estimate of a root mean squared error (RMSE) becomes unsuited for local predictions. With data from the Danish

ABSTRACT In 2018, global crude steel production was approx. 1.8 gigatonnes while its direct CO2 emissions stood at 2 giga tonnes (2017), representing 23.5% of all direct industrial emissions. Globally iron and steel industry (ISI sector) is the second largest emitter after the cement industry while in Finland and Sweden the ISI sector is the largest industrial source of fossil CO2. Biocarbon received

ABSTRACT Dahurian larch (Larix gmelinii Rupr.), Korean spruce (Picea koraiensis Nakai), and Manchurian fir (Abies nephrolepis Maxim) are valuable tree species of northeast China. Management tools are required for these species to support the industrial and ecological development of forest ecosystems of China. This study aimed to develop taper equations for these species. Five well-known taper equations

ABSTRACT The share of women among forest owners is growing in the traditionally masculine family forest sector. The present study continues the research on women who own forest in the Nordic setting. The focus is on the behaviour and role of rural female forest owners in Finland, as well as on the benefits of peer learning when building self-efficacy as a forest owner. The qualitative data consist

ABSTRACT Several insect species, including those belonging to Geometridae, pose serious threats to oak stands, primarily by causing cyclic defoliation and increasing the vulnerability of trees to adverse secondary factors. Our major study goal was to compare the effectiveness of two types of pheromone traps, funnel vs. bucket traps, for capturing Operophtera brumata males, and the effectiveness of

ABSTRACT The effects of early selection in a nursery on field performance were studied in an experiment comprising 2665 cutting-propagated clones of Picea abies (L.) Karst, deriving from 151 half-sib families. The clones were selected from 13,050 seedlings that were evaluated genetically using a randomized block design and measurements of height and growth rhythm in the nursery. The selected clones

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the performance of Norway spruce seed sources from Swedish stands of East European origin (SweEast) with material from Swedish (SweSO) and East European (EastSO) seed orchards, and with material from Swedish (SweS) and East European (EastS) unimproved stands. The seed sources were field tested at six locations in southern Sweden and assessed

ABSTRACT Forest road network plays a key role in shortening the response time of firefighting activities. Therefore, evaluation and improvement of the ability of firefighting of the forest roads are essential. The widely used travel time criterion evaluation showed that firefighters can reach the areas of fires by walking and carrying portable fire equipment. However, the firefighting capability provided

ABSTRACT The effect of site preparation (mixed mounding and removal of the humus layer) under a shelterwood of mixed boreal forest along a forest interior-edge gradient on Norway spruce (Picea abies) seedlings was studied two years after planting. Mounds had a positive effect on root development, ectomycorrhiza formation and the absorption of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in the seedlings, and augmented

ABSTRACT Human intervention in global nitrogen cycling has led to excess reactive nitrogen (Nr) flows to the environment, impacting terrestrial ecosystems as well as the quality of the atmosphere and waterbodies. This paper presents the results of a study that quantified and compared the main flows of Nr through forest land and wetlands in Latvia and Estonia using substance flow analysis approach based

ABSTRACT Women have been historically underrepresented in the forest sector. Given a graying workforce, there is a significant opportunity to diversify the sector via a younger generation entering the industry. To a large extent, the gender situation in the forest sector is influenced by the education of employees in the sector. Therefore, it is beneficial to know the perceptions of women student leaders