The effects of species mixture on the growth and yield of mid-rotation mixed stands of Scots pine and silver birch

The research on mixed-species forestry has rapidly increased in recent decades because there is a growing interest in these types of stands for environmental reasons. Their positive influence on ecosystem biodiversity, stability and resilience, as well as their role in the new challenge brought up by the adaptation to global change, have been the object of many research works. However, the economic implications of mixed-species forest management have not deserved the same attention. The objective of this work is to study the effect of species interactions on productivity, and to economically assess this effect. This research is focused on the analysis of financial return and risk in even aged mixed stands of Pinus sylvestris and Fagus sylvatica in Northern Spain. Growth and yield projections for monospecific and mixed stands of Scots pine and European beech were made by means of a previous model developed from a set of the Spanish National Forest Inventory plots in the region of Navarre. Data from yield tables for both species were used. The effect of species proportion on total stand yield was assessed and transgressive overyielding was found for some mixing ratios. A data series on average stumpage price for both species in Spain over a 29-year period was compiled and the joint probability distribution of price data was used to generate 500 price scenarios. Different management alternatives based on species proportion and rotation age were considered and evaluated in terms of profitability and risk. Some management recommendations can be derived from the results obtained, which point at an optimum mixing ratio from 30% to 40% Scots pine and 70% to 60% European beech.

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Männi-, kuuse- ja kasepuistute majandamise tasuvus lühikese raieringi korral / Profitability analysis of short rotations in Scots pine, Norway spruce and silver birch stands

Forestry Studies / Metsanduslikud Uurimused ◽

10.2478/v10132-011-0093-7 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 54 (1) ◽

pp. 28-36 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Henn Korjus ◽

Priit Põllumäe ◽

Siim Rool

Keyword(s):

Forest Management ◽

Norway Spruce ◽

Scots Pine ◽

Simulation Software ◽

Forest Growth ◽

Silver Birch ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Rotation Length ◽

Profitability Analysis ◽

Optimal Rotation

Abstract. Estonian forest management is based traditionally on long rotations. Recent trends in wood industry and wood consumption promote also production of small-size timber for bioenergy and timber products. This opens a discussion about shorter rotations and intensive forest management again in Estonia. In current study, profitability of Scots pine, Norway spruce and silver birch stand management on fertile soils was analyzed according to three different rotation lengths: traditional long rotation, short rotation and economically optimal rotation according Finnish TAPIO rules. Stand simulation software MOTTI was used to simulate and optimize forest growth and management. Simulation results were compared with actual data on forest growth and yield in Estonia. Economically optimal rotations were for Scots pine stand 58 years, Norway spruce stand 53 years and silver birch stand 41 years. Short and optimal rotation length enable 5.9-6.5% profitability for forest owner, traditional long rotation length enables 4.8-5.4% profitability. Rotation forestry is challenging task. Based on our analysis, it is likely that applied practices can intensify wood production and reduce forest management risks. However, theoretical approach is not enough for assessing practical feasibility of short rotations. Thus further studies and experiments are needed for careful analysis and recommendations

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Models of 3D crown structure for Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and silver birch (Betula pendula) grown in mixed forest

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x11-092 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 41 (9) ◽

pp. 1779-1794 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Anna Lintunen ◽

Risto Sievänen ◽

Pekka Kaitaniemi ◽

Jari Perttunen

Keyword(s):

Pinus Sylvestris ◽

Scots Pine ◽

Betula Pendula ◽

Mixed Forest ◽

Silver Birch ◽

Tree Level ◽

Plant Structure ◽

Tree Model ◽

Mixed Stands ◽

Crown Structure

The interplay between plant structure and functioning determines vital plant characteristics, such as the efficiency of light capture by the foliage, and thus continuous efforts have attempted to include plant architecture in plant growth models. We constructed two crown structure models enabling the generation of 3D trees using simple tree measurements as input for Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.) and silver birch ( Betula pendula Roth.), boreal species growing in mixed stands. The data for the models were obtained from sample-based digitizing of 3D crown architecture accompanied by characterizations of stem, branch, and foliage volumes and biomass. A set of equations was used to predict local crown characteristics on the basis of local predictors and tree-level input variables such as tree height, crown height, diameter at breast height, and the degree of competition. The 3D tree model was realized within the LIGNUM tree modelling framework. Comparison with data showed that the model adequately predicts the distribution of biomass into different crown components as well as the distribution of foliage within the tree crowns. The applicability of the simulations is at its best when examining Scots pine and silver birch trees growing on medium fertile mixed stands in Finland.

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Growth Responses of Boreal Scots Pine, Norway Spruce and Silver Birch Seedlings to Simulated Climate Warming over Three Growing Seasons in a Controlled Field Experiment

Forests ◽

10.3390/f11090943 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (9) ◽

pp. 943

Author(s):

Katri Nissinen ◽

Virpi Virjamo ◽

Antti Kilpeläinen ◽

Veli-Pekka Ikonen ◽

Laura Pikkarainen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Norway Spruce ◽

Scots Pine ◽

Root Biomass ◽

Growing Season ◽

Silver Birch ◽

Shoot Biomass ◽

Growth Responses ◽

Growing Seasons ◽

Simulated Climate ◽

Shoot And Root Biomass

We studied the growth responses of boreal Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.) and silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) seedlings to simulated climate warming of an average of 1.3 °C over the growing season in a controlled field experiment in central Finland. We had six replicate plots for elevated and ambient temperature for each tree species. The warming treatment lasted for the conifers for three growing seasons and for the birch two growing seasons. We measured the height and diameter growth of all the seedlings weekly during the growing season. The shoot and root biomass and their ratios were measured annually in one-third of seedlings harvested from each plot in autumn. After two growing seasons, the height, diameter and shoot biomass were 45%, 19% and 41% larger in silver birch seedlings under the warming treatment, but the root biomass was clearly less affected. After three growing seasons, the height, diameter, shoot and root biomass were under a warming treatment 39, 47, 189 and 113% greater in Scots pine, but the root:shoot ratio 29% lower, respectively. The corresponding responses of Norway spruce to warming were clearly smaller (e.g., shoot biomass 46% higher under a warming treatment). As a comparison, the relative response of height growth in silver birch was after two growing seasons equal to that measured in Scots pine after three growing seasons. Based on our findings, especially silver birch seedlings, but also Scots pine seedlings benefitted from warming, which should be taken into account in forest regeneration in the future.

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BIOMASS ALLOCATION, LEAF AND FINE ROOT MORPHOLOGICAL ADAPTATIONS IN YOUNG BLACK ALDER (Alnus glutinosa(L.) Gaertn.), SILVER BIRCH (Betula pendulaRoth.) AND SCOTS PINE (Pinus sylvestrisL.)...

Oil Shale ◽

10.3176/oil.2014.3.08 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

pp. 289

Author(s):

T KUZNETSOVA ◽

A LUKJANOVA ◽

K OTS ◽

K ROSENVALD ◽

I OSTONEN ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Scots Pine ◽

Biomass Allocation ◽

Fine Root ◽

Alnus Glutinosa ◽

Silver Birch ◽

Black Alder ◽

Morphological Adaptations

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The effects of soil and air temperature on CO2 exchange and net biomass accumulation in Norway spruce, Scots pine and silver birch seedlings

Tree Physiology ◽

10.1093/treephys/tps007 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 32 (6) ◽

pp. 724-736 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

J. Pumpanen ◽

J. Heinonsalo ◽

T. Rasilo ◽

J. Villemot ◽

H. Ilvesniemi

Keyword(s):

Norway Spruce ◽

Scots Pine ◽

Air Temperature ◽

Biomass Accumulation ◽

Co2 Exchange ◽

Silver Birch

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Parameters of Pinus sylvestris health condition and Ips acuminatus population in pure and mixed stands of Sumy region

Наукові праці Лісівничої академії наук України ◽

10.15421/412012 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 131-140

Author(s):

Valentyna Meshkova ◽

Ivan Bobrov

Keyword(s):

Scots Pine ◽

Bark Beetles ◽

Forest Health ◽

Health Condition ◽

State Enterprise ◽

Forest Steppe ◽

Population Parameters ◽

Mixed Stands ◽

Pine Stands ◽

Scots Pine Stands

Outbreaks of bark beetles have increased in recent years in various regions. Pine engraver beetle (Ips acuminatus (Gyllenhal, 1827); Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) is most common in the pine forests of many European countries. Research on its biology and spread carried out in different natural conditions, phases of pest outbreak and considered various parameters to characterize the population of the pest and forest health condition. The aim of the research was to compare the health condition of Scots pine stands and population parameters of I. acuminatus in its two generations in pure and mixed stands in Polissya and Forest-steppe parts of Sumy region. Research was carried out in 2017 in the pure Scots pine stands and mixed stands with Scots pine and other forest species in Polissya (State Enterprise "Seredyno-Budsky Agroforest Economy"; State Enterprise "Seredyno-Budsky Forest Economy") and Forest-steppe parts (State Enterprise "Velykopysarivske Agroforest Economy"; State Enterprise "Okhtyrske Forest Economy") of Sumy region at 26 sample plots. In sample plots, parameters of forest health condition and bark beetle population were assessed in June and in September, after completion of development of spring and summer generation of I. acuminatus. By most of the parameters assessed, significant differences between sample plots in Forest-Steppe and Polissya parts of Sumy region were not found. In pure Scots pine stands the mean area of bark beetles’ foci and bark beetles’ production were larger in Forest-steppe in June, and the density of Ips acuminatus nuptial chambers in June and September. In pure Scots pine stands the area of I. acuminatus focus, the number of colonized trees, the proportion of recently died trees, health condition indices, the density of egg galleries and nuptial chambers as well as young beetle’s production increased from June to September. In mixed stands the focus area, the number of colonized trees and health condition index increased insignificantly, and population parameters of I. acuminatus decreased from June to September. Pure Scots pine stands changed the health condition from "severely weakened" to "drying up" in three months, and mixed ones remained in the "weakened" category. In pure pine stands, the density of egg galleries and beetles of the young generation increased for three months from the lower limit of a moderate level to a high level, the density of nuptial chambers – from low to a high level. In mixed stands, all population parameters of I. acuminatus correspond to a low population level. The parameters characterizing the investigated foci of I. acuminatus in the Sumy region significantly correlated with the participation of pine in the stand composition, and in September the correlation is closer than in June. The data obtained indicate the feasibility of creating predominantly mixed pine stands.

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What influences the long-term development of mixtures in British forests?

Forestry An International Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1093/forestry/cpaa003 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 93 (4) ◽

pp. 545-556 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

W L Mason ◽

T Connolly

Keyword(s):

Functional Traits ◽

Scots Pine ◽

Shade Tolerance ◽

Basal Area ◽

Sitka Spruce ◽

Picea Sitchensis ◽

Silver Birch ◽

Western Hemlock ◽

Larix Kaempferi ◽

Pure Stand

Abstract Six experiments were established between 1955 and 1962 in different parts of northern and western Britain which used replicated randomized block designs to compare the performance of two species 50:50 mixtures with pure stands of the component species. The species involved were variously lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl.), Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi Lamb. Carr.), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.), Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis Bong. Carr.) and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla Raf. Sarg.). The first four species are light demanding, while Sitka spruce is of intermediate shade tolerance and western hemlock is very shade tolerant: only Scots pine and silver birch are native to Great Britain. In three experiments (Bickley, Ceannacroc, Hambleton), the mixtures were of two light-demanding species, while at the other three sites, the mixture tested contained species of different shade tolerance. The experiments were followed for around 50 years, similar to a full rotation of even-aged conifer stands in Britain. Five experiments showed a tendency for one species to dominate in mixture, possibly reflecting differences in the shade tolerance or other functional traits of the component species. In the three experiments, the basal area of the mixtures at the last assessment was significantly higher than predicted based on the performance of the pure stands (i.e. the mixture ‘overyielded’). In two of these cases, the mixture had had a higher basal area than found in the more productive pure stand indicating ‘transgressive overyielding’. Significant basal area differences were generally more evident at the later assessment date. The exception was in a Scots pine: western hemlock mixture where greater overyielding at the earlier date indicated a nursing (‘facilitation’) effect. In the remaining experiments, the performance of the mixture conformed to predictions from the growth of the component species in pure stands. Taken overall, the results suggest that functional traits can be used to interpret the performance of mixtures but prediction of the outcome will require better understanding of the interplay between species and site characteristics plus the influence of silvicultural interventions.

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