Establishment of mixed species stands. Magnus Löf, Sweden

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Solomon Reed
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1 Establishment of mixed species stands Magnus Löf, Sweden

2 Outline 1. Forest history 2. Present situation and drivers for change 3. Mixed forests in Europe 4. From conifers to broadleaves 5. New types of plantations 6. Conclusions

Land-use history Oetzi, 5000 years BP Axe: yew

Backpack: hazelwood (Corylus avellana) Frame of the

3 Land-use history Oetzi, 5000 years BP Axe: yew (Taxus baccata) Dagger: ash (Fraxinus excelsior) Retoucheur (flint tool): lime (Tilia cordata) Bow: yew (Taxus baccata) Arrows: Viburnum ss.pp. Backpack: hazelwood (Corylus avellana) Frame of the backpack: larch (Larix decidua) Container: birch (Betula pendula)

4 Plantation of conifers ca 1900 Grazing wood cutting Shortage of timber Low quality Restoration (reconstruction) Source: Forest library, Umeå

5 Present day forest landscapes Even-aged forests Monocultures Few broadleaved trees Few old and big trees and little dead wood Loss of biodiversity

6 Monocultures are associated with a significant economic risk

7 The amount of valuable broadleaved forest and the forest recreation value Source: Norman et al Value per forest visit (SEK) Scenario 2 Broadleaves 8% Other forest 92% Today Broadleaves 16% Other forest 84% Scenario 1 Broadleaves 32% Other forest 68% Amount of valuable broadleaved forest (%)

8 Change of tree species cover in Germany from 2002 to 2008 Beech Maple Oaks Dog. Fir Alder Silver Fir Larch S. Pine N. Spruce Change in forest cover (1000 ha) Source: Polley et al. 2009

9 How common are mixed forests? Species mixture Coverage (km 2 ) 1. Scots pine Norway spruce Scots pine Birch Norway spruce Birch Norway spruce European beech Norway spruce Silver fir European beech Oaks Source: Barbati unpublished

10 Plantation at open sites

11 Underplanting beech in spruce forests 1) Many expensive seedlings 2) Fence Storm fellings and high costs

12 Most private forest owners does not like mixed forests Don t believe in climatechange Lower production / income Complicated management Risk for conservation More administration

13 Natural regeneration under pine

14 Where at the landscape level? A B Photo: Ö. Fritz

15 Conversion quick or slow? Drawing: A. Busse Nielsen Conifer monoculture Mixed stand 100 år 200 år Clear-cut / shelterwood + planting Enrichment planting + Natural reg.

16 Two-storied plantations

17 Using different growth dynamics results in early income Annual increment Time

18 Oak under birch Beech Important under with improved management birch Photo: Jörg Brunet

19 Planting New oak of stand cottonwood established (year 1) Planting of oak (year 3) Cottonwood harvested year 10 Good development of oak under poplars Photos: Emile Gardiner, USDA FS

for the future spreading the risk Sveriges

20 - is unusually low in the Nordic and Baltic regions. and more tree species are needed to support adaptation for the future spreading the risk Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet FAO Forest resources assessment, 2005

21 New combinations needs to be tested

22 New generation plantations - Contribute to economic growth and development - Protect and enhance high conservation values

23 Conclusions 1. Large areas of monocultures will probably be converted to mixed forests 2. Value of ecosystem services higher, but lower timber production value in many cases 3. Natural regeneration is cost-effective and nurse trees may increase productivity in young stands 4. Management practices can be improved

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