Skip to main content
SLU publication database (SLUpub)

Abstract

There is a growing demand for alternatives to Sweden's current dominant silvicultural system, driven by a desire to raise biomass production, meet environmental goals and mitigate climate change. However, moving towards diversified forest management that deviates from well established silvicultural practices carries many uncertainties and risks. Adaptive management is often suggested as an effective means of managing in the context of such complexities. Yet there has been scepticism over its appropriateness in cases characterised by large spatial extents, extended temporal scales and complex land ownership-characteristics typical of Swedish forestry. Drawing on published research, including a new paradigm for adaptive management, we indicate how common pitfalls can be avoided during implementation. We indicate the investment, infrastructure, and considerations necessary to benefit from adaptive management. In doing so, we show how this approach could offer a pragmatic operational model for managing the uncertainties, risks and obstacles associated with new silvicultural systems and the challenges facing Swedish forestry.

Keywords

Climate change; Forest management; Risk; Silviculture; Uncertainty

Published in

AMBIO: A Journal of the Human Environment
2016, volume: 45, number: SI, pages: S140-S151

SLU Authors

Associated SLU-program

SLU Future Forests

Global goals (SDG)

SDG12 Responsible consumption and production
SDG13 Climate action

UKÄ Subject classification

Forest Science

Publication identifier

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-015-0750-9

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/75372