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Doctoral thesis2024Open access

Biomass thinning in strips as an alternative to conventional selective thinning in biomass-dense forests

Becs, Artis

Abstract

In Northern Europe, novel thinning methods are being explored to find a balance between the biomass extraction required to meet the rising demand for renewable energy and the maintenance of ecological integrity. This thesis synthesises findings from three studies: two conducted in Southern Sweden, which focussed on the utility of biomass thinning (BT) techniques in strips, and one based on Swedish National Forest Inventory data, to pinpoint the biomass-dense forests (BDFs) where these BT methods could be implemented. The first study evaluated how BT impacts the growth and development of the forest remaining post-thinning. The findings revealed that BT, when implemented in 1- to 2-m wide strips, does not compromise the growth of the remaining target trees and may reduce the damage associated with commercial thinning (CT). The second study examined how BT influences spatial tree diversity, which is a critical factor for forest diversity and resilience. The results indicated that BT in strips fosters higher spatial tree diversity than traditional CT. The third study investigated the potential for biomass extraction from BDFs across Sweden. The research identified 1.4 million ha of Swedish forests that are currently classified as BDF, where some type of BT could be implemented. Furthermore, the findings suggest that sediment and moraine soils within mesic and mesic-moist moisture categories are the optimal targets for BDF management. The various findings presented in this thesis suggest that BT in strips can be an effective strategy for sustainable biomass production. However, the presented evidence also highlights the need for long-term research and consideration of regional variation before widespread implementation. This thesis contributes to the understanding of sustainable forestry practices that align with Sweden’s renewable energy goals as well as the broader European Union sustainability framework.

Keywords

Stand development; whole-tree harvest; small-tree harvesting; thinning; boom-corridor; species mingling; spatial tree diversity; biomass dense forest; biomass; bioenergy

Published in

Acta Universitatis Agriculturae Sueciae
2024, number: 2024:66ISBN: 978-91-8046-357-7, eISBN: 978-91-8046-393-5Publisher: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

    UKÄ Subject classification

    Forest Science

    Publication identifier

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.54612/a.339inv69ud

    Permanent link to this page (URI)

    https://res.slu.se/id/publ/130461