Skip to main content
SLU publication database (SLUpub)
Research article - Peer-reviewed, 2005

Effects of management on coarse woody debris volume and composition in boreal forests in northern Sweden

Gibb H, Ball JP, Johansson T, Atlegrim O, Hjalten J, Danell K

Abstract

Forest management practices have led to a reduction in the volume and a change in the composition of coarse woody debris (CWD) in many forest types. This study compared CWD volume and composition in reserves and two types of managed forest in the central boreal zone of Sweden. Ten areas were surveyed, each containing clear-cut, mature managed and old-growth stands, to determine the volume of standing and lying CWD in terms of species composition, decay class and size class. Volumes of CWD on clear-cuts and in mature managed forests were high compared with previous studies. Old-growth forests (72.6 m(3) ha(-1)) contained a greater volume of CWD than mature managed forests (23.3 m(3) ha(-1)) and clear- cuts (13.6 m(3) ha(-1)). Differences were greatest for the larger size classes and intermediate decay stages. Despite stand ages being up to 144 years, CWD volume and composition in managed forests was more similar to clear- cuts than to old-growth forests

Published in

Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research
2005, Volume: 20, number: 3, pages: 213-222
Publisher: TAYLOR & FRANCIS AS

      SLU Authors

    • Gibb, Heloise

      • Department of Animal Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
      • Ball, John

        • Department of Animal Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
        • Löfroth, Therese

          • Department of Animal Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
          • Alinvi, Ola

            • Department of Animal Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
            • Hjältén, Joakim

              • Department of Animal Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
              • Danell, Kjell

                • Department of Animal Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

              UKÄ Subject classification

              Environmental Sciences related to Agriculture and Land-use

              Publication identifier

              DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02827580510008391

              Permanent link to this page (URI)

              https://res.slu.se/id/publ/6119