Research article - Peer-reviewed, 2016
Socio-ecological implications of modifying rotation lengths in forestry
Roberge, Jean-Michel; Laudon, Hjalmar; Björkman, Christer; Ranius, Thomas; Sandström, Camilla; Felton, Adam; Sténs, Anna; Nordin, Annika; Granström, Anders; Widemo, Fredrik; Bergh, Johan; Sonesson, Johan; Stenlid, Jan; Lundmark, TomasAbstract
The rotation length is a key component ofeven-aged forest management systems. UsingFennoscandian forestry as a case, we review the socioecologicalimplications of modifying rotation lengthsrelative to current practice by evaluating effects on arange of ecosystem services and on biodiversityconservation. The effects of shortening rotations onprovisioning services are expected to be mostly negativeto neutral (e.g. production of wood, bilberries, reindeerforage), while those of extending rotations would be morevaried. Shortening rotations may help limit damage bysome of today's major damaging agents (e.g. root rot,cambium-feeding insects), but may also increase otherdamage types (e.g. regeneration pests) and impede climatemitigation. Supporting (water, soil nutrients) and cultural(aesthetics, cultural heritage) ecosystem services wouldgenerally be affected negatively by shortened rotations andpositively by extended rotations, as would mostbiodiversity indicators. Several effect modifiers, such aschanges to thinning regimes, could alter these patterns.Keywords
Climate change; Forest damage; Non-timber forest products; Production; Recreation; TimberPublished in
AMBIO: A Journal of the Human Environment2016, volume: 45(Suppl.2), pages: S109-S123
Authors' information
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Forest Ecology and Management
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Ecology
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Ecology
Sandström, Camilla
Umeå University
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre
Sténs, Anna
Umeå University
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Forest Ecology and Management
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies
Bergh, Johan
Linnaeus University
Sonesson, Johan
Forestry Research Institute of Sweden, Skogforsk
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Forest Mycology and Pathology
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Forest Ecology and Management
Associated SLU-program
Future Forests (until Jan 2017)
SLU Future Forests
SLU Network Plant Protection
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG15 Life on land
SDG13 Climate action
UKÄ Subject classification
Forest Science
Ecology
Sociology (excluding Social work, Social Psychology and Social Anthropology)
Publication Identifiers
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-015-0747-4
URI (permanent link to this page)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/69192