Abstract

Short-rotation willow stands (energy forests) are cultivated to provide biomass fuels. They are mostly grown on abandoned farmlands, but peat bogs and fens have also been used. The stands are cut at intervals of 2–4 years. The flora and vegetation of energy forests is dominated by common ruderal species likeCirsium arvense, Galeopsis tetrahitandUrtica dioica. Uncommon species from woodland and fen habitats are only occasionally found. The species number and the composition of vegetation vary greatly between the coppices and are largely determined by the management system. Intense cultivation including fertilization and the use of herbicides depletes the flora. Long rotation times decrease both species diversity and the total cover of the field layer. Uncommon species are mostly found in old coppices, which also often have a rich spring flora. A change in flora and vegetation occurs when an energy forest is established. The change is great and the time needed for stabilization of the energy forest flora is long when the original flora is dissimilar to the coppice flora. Willow coppices can increase habitat diversity in regions dominated by coniferous forests or in large-scale agricultural areas. If energy forests are to have a conservational value, consideration of the flora must be taken in planning and in management. Structural heterogeneity of a stand, promoting diversity of the flora, can be created if a stand is composed of a variety of willow clones, is harvested at intervals, contains gaps and open ditches, and is surrounded by edge zones of various types. Another positive measure is to let the stools grow as old as possible. Herbicides must be avoided in an established stand and fertilization should be minimized.

Published in

Forest Ecology and Management
1987, Volume: 21, number: 1-2, pages: 141-161
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

SLU Authors

• Gustafsson, Lena

  • Department of Ecology and Environmental Research, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Ecology
Forest Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-1127(87)90078-8

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/51795