Simulated transformation of even-aged Norway spruce stands to multi-layered forests: an experiment to explore the potential of tree size differentiation

Abstract

The study investigated the possibility to transform normal young Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst) forests to develop more heterogeneous stand structures, aiming for multi-layered forest in the long run. On three sites in central and south Sweden, 60 per cent of stand basal area was removed by thinning mainly medium-sized trees and leaving the smallest and the largest trees. Over the next 50 years, future stand development was simulated using a single-tree growth model. Simulations were run with and without ingrowth. An additional ingrowth scenario after soil preparation was tested. Basal area was kept between 10 and 20 m(2) ha(-1) during simulations. Projected stem wood production for the next 50 years was one-third lower compared with conventional thinning regimes. After 50 years, a multi-layered forest structure was indicated for the boreal sites in central Sweden, but not for the site in south Sweden.

Published in

Forestry
2014, volume: 87, number: 2, pages: 239-248

SLU Authors

• Drössler, Lars

  • Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Nilsson, Urban

  • Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Lundqvist, Lars

  • Department of Forest Ecology and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Associated SLU-program

SLU Future Forests

UKÄ Subject classification

Forest Science

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/forestry/cpt037

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/51761