Journal: European Journal of Forest Research

Abbreviation

Eur J Forest Res

Publisher

Springer

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ISSN

1612-4677
1612-4669

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Publications 1 - 10 of 33
  • Effects of growth rates, tree morphology and site conditions on longevity of Norway spruce in the northern Swiss Alps
    Item type: Other Journal Item
    Rötheli, Elisabeth; Heiri, Caroline; Bigler, Christof (2012)
    European Journal of Forest Research
  • Enhancing the regeneration of compacted forest soils by planting black alder in skid lane tracks
    Item type: Journal Article
    Meyer, Christine; Lüscher, Peter; Schulin, Rainer (2014)
    European Journal of Forest Research
    Soil compaction due to the use of heavy machinery for timber harvesting has become a widespread problem in forestry. However, only few studies deal with the regeneration of compacted forest soils. In the present study, we examined the potential of accelerating soil regeneration by planting black alder trees (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.) in skid lane tracks. In 2003, seedlings were planted into the rut beds of severely compacted skid lanes in two Swiss forest sites. In addition, some of the ruts were filled with compost. In 2009 and 2010, we assessed the success of these measures by analysing physical parameters of soil structure (bulk density, total and coarse porosity and air permeability), root densities and tree growth. Tree growth was exceptionally strong on the skid lanes. Total and coarse soil porosity and air permeability showed significant increase in planted skid lanes as compared to untreated control subplots, approaching values found for untrafficked soil in the immediate vicinity. All soil physical parameters were closely correlated to root mass density. Compost application enhanced tree growth and soil structure regeneration on one site, but had a retarding effect on the other site. Planting black alders has great potential as an environmentally friendly measure to accelerate the structural regeneration of compacted forest soils in temperate humid climates.
  • Trade-offs and synergies between ecosystem services in uneven-aged mountain forests: evidences using Pareto fronts
    Item type: Journal Article
    Lafond, Valentine; Cordonnier, Thomas; Mao, Zhun; et al. (2017)
    European Journal of Forest Research
    Uneven-aged mountain forests are considered favourable for the continuous provisioning of multiple ecosystem services (ES). These ES may however exhibit trade-offs or synergies that can be modulated by forest management. Yet, our knowledge remains poor on both the relationships between ES and the way management practices can optimise and reconcile them. In this study, we aimed at (1) characterising trade-offs and synergies between timber production, biodiversity conservation and protection against natural hazards; (2) identifying efficient (i.e. Pareto-optimal) management scenarios for the joint provisioning of these ES; and (3) comparing them to “reference” management scenarios. Using a simulation framework that couples a forest dynamics model, a silviculture algorithm and linker functions relating ES indicators to stand structure, we predicted the response of different ES indicators to various uneven-aged management practices in the Western Alps. With a metamodeling approach and Pareto front techniques, we intensively explored and analysed relationships between ES indicators and found trade-offs between timber production and other ES, but synergies between protection and biodiversity. “Pareto-optimal” management scenarios were characterised by low thinning and harvesting intensities but exhibited gradients of total removals and deadwood and large tree retention along the Pareto front. They greatly differed from our set of production and biodiversity oriented reference scenarios, thus emphasising the strong impact of considering additional ES in scenario optimisation processes. This study highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of Pareto front techniques for both the analysis of trade-offs and synergies between ES and the identification of efficient management practices.
  • Influence of storm damage on the runoff generation in two sub-catchments of the Sperbelgraben, Swiss Emmental
    Item type: Journal Article
    Badoux, Alexandre; Jeisy, Michel; Kienholz, Hans; et al. (2006)
    European Journal of Forest Research
  • Predicting tree regeneration in Picea abies snag stands
    Item type: Journal Article
    Kupferschmid, Andrea D.; Brang, Peter; Schönenberger, Walter; et al. (2006)
    European Journal of Forest Research
  • Survival time and mortality rate of regeneration in the deep shade of a primeval beech forest
    Item type: Review Article
    Petrovska, Roksolana; Bugmann, Harald; Hobi, Martina L.; et al. (2022)
    European Journal of Forest Research
    Low mortality rates and slow growth differentiate shade-tolerant from shade-intolerant species and define the survival strategy of juvenile trees growing in deep shade. While radial stem growth has been widely used to explain mortality in juvenile trees, the leaf area ratio (LAR), known to be a key component of shade tolerance, has been neglected so far. We assessed the effects of LAR, radial stem growth and tree height on survival time and the age-specific mortality rate of juvenile Fagus sylvatica L. (European beech), Acer pseudoplatanus L. (sycamore maple) and Acer platanoides L. (Norway maple) in a primeval beech forest (Ukraine). Aboveground and belowground biomass and radial stem growth were analysed for 289 living and 179 dead seedlings and saplings. Compared with the other species, F. sylvatica featured higher LAR, slower growth and a lower mortality rate. The average survival time of F. sylvatica juveniles (72 years) allows it to reach the canopy more often than its competitors in forests with low canopy turnover rate. In contrast, a combination of lower LAR, higher growth rate and higher age-specific mortality rate of the two Acer species resulted in their shorter survival times and thus render their presence in the canopy a rare event. Overall, this study suggests that shade tolerance, commonly defined as a relationship between sapling mortality and growth, can alternatively be formulated as a relationship between survival time and the interplay of growth and LAR.
  • Improving the establishment submodel of a forest patch model to assess the long-term protective effect of mountain forests
    Item type: Journal Article
    Wehrli, André; Weisberg, Peter J.; Schönenberger, Walter; et al. (2007)
    European Journal of Forest Research
  • European beech stem diameter grows better in mixed than in mono-specific stands at the edge of its distribution in mountain forests
    Item type: Journal Article
    Pretzsch, Hans; Hilmers, Torben; Uhl, Enno; et al. (2021)
    European Journal of Forest Research
    Recent studies show that several tree species are spreading to higher latitudes and elevations due to climate change. European beech, presently dominating from the colline to the subalpine vegetation belt, is already present in upper montane subalpine forests and has a high potential to further advance to higher elevations in European mountain forests, where the temperature is predicted to further increase in the near future. Although essential for adaptive silviculture, it remains unknown whether the upward shift of beech could be assisted when it is mixed with Norway spruce or silver fir compared with mono-specific stands, as the species interactions under such conditions are hardly known. In this study, we posed the general hypotheses that the growth depending on age of European beech in mountain forests was similar in mono-specific and mixed-species stands and remained stable over time and space in the last two centuries. The scrutiny of these hypotheses was based on increment coring of 1240 dominant beech trees in 45 plots in mono-specific stands of beech and in 46 mixed mountain forests. We found that (i) on average, mean tree diameter increased linearly with age. The age trend was linear in both forest types, but the slope of the age-growth relationship was higher in mono-specific than in mixed mountain forests. (ii) Beech growth in mono-specific stands was stronger reduced with increasing elevation than that in mixed-species stands. (iii) Beech growth in mono-specific stands was on average higher than beech growth in mixed stands. However, at elevations > 1200 m, growth of beech in mixed stands was higher than that in mono-specific stands. Differences in the growth patterns among elevation zones are less pronounced now than in the past, in both mono-specific and mixed stands. As the higher and longer persisting growth rates extend the flexibility of suitable ages or size for tree harvest and removal, the longer-lasting growth may be of special relevance for multi-aged silviculture concepts. On top of their function for structure and habitat improvement, the remaining old trees may grow more in mass and value than assumed so far.
  • Forest recreation as a governance problem: four case studies from Switzerland
    Item type: Journal Article
    Wilkes-Allemann, Jerylee; Hanewinkel, Marc; Pütz, Marco (2017)
    European Journal of Forest Research
    Recreational activities have undergone a change from mainly passive forms (e.g. rest, relaxation, reinvigoration, solitude and escape) to more active forms (e.g. mountain biking, climbing and running). Correspondingly, the demand for forest recreation infrastructure to support the more active forms has increased. However, very little is known about what features characterise the planning and management of forest recreation infrastructure. This study takes four in-depth mountain-bike trail cases in Switzerland to characterise the planning and management of forest recreation infrastructure. The analysis is performed using the institutional analysis and development framework (Ostrom in Governing the commons: the evolution of institutions for collective action, Cambridge University Press, New York, 1990) and qualitative data based on cases and interviews. We argue that by considering the identified external features (formal and informal rules, location) and process features (partnerships, public participation, conflicts, profitability perspectives, time frame of process, funding of process and approval), we can better plan and manage active forms of forest recreation. Conflict situations and response strategies associated with mountain-bike-trail planning and management are also identified. The findings are relevant for other regions facing the growing use of forests for recreational and leisure activities.
  • Timing, light availability and vigour determine the response of Abies alba saplings to leader shoot browsing
    Item type: Journal Article
    Kupferschmid, Andrea D.; Bugmann, Harald (2013)
    European Journal of Forest Research
Publications 1 - 10 of 33