Chapter 3 Chapter 3

Forest Resources Forest Resources

and Carbon Sinkand Carbon Sink

First draftFirst draft

O. ChertovO. ChertovSt. Petersburg State University,St. Petersburg State University,

University of Applied Sciences BingenUniversity of Applied Sciences Bingen

e-LUP e-LUP Simulating land use processes – Simulating land use processes – an interactive e-tool for SIAan interactive e-tool for SIA

Introduction The paradigm of sustainable forest management (SFM) The paradigm of sustainable forest management (SFM)

has a special reference to the great role of forest has a special reference to the great role of forest ecosystems (forest biome) as a powerful factor of ecosystems (forest biome) as a powerful factor of restoration and stabilization of the local, regional and restoration and stabilization of the local, regional and global environment and biota.global environment and biota.

Carbon sink by the forest ecosystem with a consistent Carbon sink by the forest ecosystem with a consistent accumulation of organic carbon is one of the accumulation of organic carbon is one of the mechanisms of the ecosystem developmentmechanisms of the ecosystem development,, environmental regulation and restorationenvironmental regulation and restoration

The main methodological approach to investigate C The main methodological approach to investigate C sequestration by the forest is a consideration of this sequestration by the forest is a consideration of this process in the “tree-soil” systemprocess in the “tree-soil” system

The main objective of this Chapter is a conceptual, The main objective of this Chapter is a conceptual, experimental and simulated comparison and analysis of experimental and simulated comparison and analysis of different silvicultural regimes at stand and landscape different silvicultural regimes at stand and landscape levels to find some options that meet C&I of SFM and levels to find some options that meet C&I of SFM and have highest positive SIA values.have highest positive SIA values.

Montréal Process Criteria of SFM

1. Conservation of biological diversity2. Maintenance of productive capacity of

forest ecosystems3. Maintenance of forest ecosystem health and

vitality4. Conservation and maintenance of soil and

water resources5. Maintenance of forest contribution to global

carbon cycles6. Maintenance and enhancement of long-term

multiple socio-economic benefits7. Legal, institutional and economic

framework for forest conservation and sustainable management

Montréal Process Criteria of SFM

1. Conservation of biological diversity2.2. Maintenance of productive capacity of forest Maintenance of productive capacity of forest ecosystemsecosystems3. Maintenance of forest ecosystem health and vitality4.4. Conservation and maintenance of soil and Conservation and maintenance of soil and water resourceswater resources5.5. Maintenance of forest contribution to global Maintenance of forest contribution to global carbon cyclescarbon cycles6. Maintenance and enhancement of long-term multiple socio-economic benefits7.7. Legal, institutional and economic framework Legal, institutional and economic framework for forest conservation and sustainable for forest conservation and sustainable managementmanagement

Plan of the Plan of the ChapterChapter

IntroductionIntroduction Short theoretical analysis of the problemShort theoretical analysis of the problem Elaboration of a preliminary scale for the Elaboration of a preliminary scale for the

numerical SIAnumerical SIA Description of the main silvicultural regimes Description of the main silvicultural regimes

with the preliminary evaluation of their with the preliminary evaluation of their carbon sequestration potential at stand and carbon sequestration potential at stand and landscape level landscape level

Demonstration of the simulation Demonstration of the simulation experiments for the determination of the experiments for the determination of the effect of climate change and silvicultural effect of climate change and silvicultural systems on systems on

Discussion andDiscussion and Conclusion Conclusion

The EFIMOD modelThe EFIMOD model The EFIMOD model (Chertov and Komarov, 1997; Chertov The EFIMOD model (Chertov and Komarov, 1997; Chertov

et al., 1999, 2003; Komarov et al., 2003, 2006) will be et al., 1999, 2003; Komarov et al., 2003, 2006) will be used in Chapter 3 used in Chapter 3

It is a spatially explicit individual-based stand-level It is a spatially explicit individual-based stand-level simulator for several boreal and temperate tree species simulator for several boreal and temperate tree species on different forest soils on different forest soils

Tree biomass growth is modelled depending on the tree Tree biomass growth is modelled depending on the tree ‘silvics’, tree’s position within the stand, and local light ‘silvics’, tree’s position within the stand, and local light and available soil nitrogen for every treeand available soil nitrogen for every tree

Soil processes are modelled using a model of SOM Soil processes are modelled using a model of SOM dynamic in forest ecosystems ROMUL (Chertov et al., dynamic in forest ecosystems ROMUL (Chertov et al., 1996,2001). It considers the dynamics of organic matter 1996,2001). It considers the dynamics of organic matter separately in organic layer and mineral topsoil using a separately in organic layer and mineral topsoil using a concept of Humus types concept of Humus types

A.S. Komarov, O.G. Chertov, Mikhailov et al. 2006. A.S. Komarov, O.G. Chertov, Mikhailov et al. 2006. Modelling Organic Matter Dynamics in Forest Ecosystems. Modelling Organic Matter Dynamics in Forest Ecosystems. Nauka Publ., Moscow. 450 p. In Russian, in printNauka Publ., Moscow. 450 p. In Russian, in print

Theoretical analysisTheoretical analysis The section is devoted to the review of main The section is devoted to the review of main

mechanisms and factors of forest ecosystem mechanisms and factors of forest ecosystem dynamics from point of view of carbon budgetdynamics from point of view of carbon budget

The impact of the following environmental The impact of the following environmental factors and ‘natural’ disturbances on forest factors and ‘natural’ disturbances on forest ecosystems discussed: climate, forest ecosystems discussed: climate, forest site/soil, forest fire, insect attack, windfall, site/soil, forest fire, insect attack, windfall, landslideslandslides

The anthropogenic factors of carbon budget The anthropogenic factors of carbon budget dynamics are as follows: also forest fires, dynamics are as follows: also forest fires, wetland drainage, deforestation and wetland drainage, deforestation and transformation of forest lands, industrial transformation of forest lands, industrial pollution, recreationpollution, recreation

The conclusion is that the recent European The conclusion is that the recent European forests are strongly transformed by the forests are strongly transformed by the anthropogenic factors for millenniums anthropogenic factors for millenniums

Concept of SIAConcept of SIABecause EU concept of SIA is a development of Because EU concept of SIA is a development of EIA the interpretation of SIA can have two EIA the interpretation of SIA can have two meanings:meanings:

Impact of ‘three pillars’ (environmental, Impact of ‘three pillars’ (environmental, economic and social) on sustainability, oreconomic and social) on sustainability, or

Impact of sustainability on these ‘pillars’Impact of sustainability on these ‘pillars’

In relation to the land-use the first approach In relation to the land-use the first approach seems to be not corresponding to the reality seems to be not corresponding to the reality because the environmentally oriented land-use, because the environmentally oriented land-use, for example SFM, is a factor that determine or for example SFM, is a factor that determine or create a question of its impact on economical create a question of its impact on economical and social ‘pillars’and social ‘pillars’

In this context, the consideration of various In this context, the consideration of various management regimes in relation to their management regimes in relation to their sustainability to find optimal solution is a main sustainability to find optimal solution is a main object of this draftobject of this draft

In turn, the impact of environmental In turn, the impact of environmental sustainability on economy and society should sustainability on economy and society should be further discussed here be further discussed here

Numerical evaluation of SIA: a Numerical evaluation of SIA: a preliminary scalepreliminary scale

Sustainability impact assessment (SIA) is based on Sustainability impact assessment (SIA) is based on ‘three pillars’: environmental, economical and ‘three pillars’: environmental, economical and social. It seems that SIA should have some kind of social. It seems that SIA should have some kind of a numerical evaluation scale to have a possibility a numerical evaluation scale to have a possibility for the more objective comparison of different for the more objective comparison of different land-use regimes and their componentsland-use regimes and their components

Because the concept of three pillars, the Because the concept of three pillars, the evaluation index should have three components evaluation index should have three components reflecting corresponding impact values. reflecting corresponding impact values.

Minimally, the values themselves can be Minimally, the values themselves can be represented as a three-point scale: represented as a three-point scale: -1-1 negative, negative, 00 neutral, and neutral, and +1+1 positive sustainability positive sustainability impact (or impact on sustainability).impact (or impact on sustainability).

The The SIA index can be represented as an SIA index can be represented as an expression, for example -1/+1/0expression, for example -1/+1/0

Examples of the compilation of Examples of the compilation of SIA evaluation marksSIA evaluation marks

SIA evaluationSIA evaluation EvaluatioEvaluation n

marksmarks

Sum of Sum of marksmarks

All SIA aspects are positiveAll SIA aspects are positive +1/+1/+1+1/+1/+1 +3+3

Environmental and economic Environmental and economic SIA are positive, and social SIA are positive, and social - neutral - neutral

+1/+1/0+1/+1/0 +2+2

Environmental SIA negative, Environmental SIA negative, economic and social - economic and social - positivepositive

-1/+1/+1-1/+1/+1 +1+1

All SIA aspects are neutralAll SIA aspects are neutral 0/0/00/0/0 00

Environmental SIA positive, Environmental SIA positive, economic and social - economic and social - negative negative

+1/-1/-1+1/-1/-1 -1-1

Environmental and economic Environmental and economic SIA negative, social – SIA negative, social – neutralneutral

-1/-1/0-1/-1/0 -2-2

All SIA aspects are negativeAll SIA aspects are negative -1/-1/-1-1/-1/-1 -3-3

List of silvicultural regimes

1. Regular thinning and final clear cutting with successive regeneration by merchantable tree species

2. Clear-cutting with regeneration by deciduous species and a poor regeneration by merchantable trees (‘bad or illegal’ forest management)

3. Clear-cutting of two previous types with disturbances (forest fires, storm windfall, insect and fungal attacks)

4. Short rotation clear cutting (including also coppice and ‘low forest’ = ’ Niederwald’ with generally vegetative regeneration by sprouts)

5. Short rotation clear cutting with fertilization (‘Plantation forestry’)

6. Partial cutting with successive natural regeneration

7. Patch cutting with successive natural regeneration

8. Selective cutting starting from young stands that is a some kind of short rotation selective system

9. Classical selective cutting

10. Dauerwald: every year cutting of a small amount of wood that is equal to the annual wood increment

11. Natural development without any cutting with the non-catastrophic natural disturbances (mostly irregular windfall and stochastic mortality)

12. Deforestation for urban and industrial use

13. Afforestation of open mines, badlands, landslides, peat-hags, drained peat lands polluted industrial barrens pastures, shrub lands and degraded plough lands

14. Restoration of degraded forests after catastrophic natural disturbances (canopy fire, insect attack, wide-area windfall), severe anthropogenic disturbances (overgrazing, recreation, illegal cutting)

Case study 1.Case study 1. The effects of climate changes and The effects of climate changes and nitrogen deposition on carbon sequestration nitrogen deposition on carbon sequestration potential: application of the EFIMOD potential: application of the EFIMOD

Simulations using initial data from the EU Project CT98-4124 ‘RECOGNITION’ (in press) 7 sites selected (4 Scots pine and 3 Norway spruce: 2 7 sites selected (4 Scots pine and 3 Norway spruce: 2

from Finland, 2 from Sweden, 2 from Germany and 1 from Finland, 2 from Sweden, 2 from Germany and 1 from Scotland) to represent Scandinavian and from Scotland) to represent Scandinavian and Central West European conditionsCentral West European conditions

A specific set of climate and N deposition scenarios A specific set of climate and N deposition scenarios at the interval 1921-2080 was used allowing to have at the interval 1921-2080 was used allowing to have the results for stable climate with low and with high the results for stable climate with low and with high N deposition, climate change only, and climate N deposition, climate change only, and climate change with high N depositionchange with high N deposition

The even-aged pure stands with regular thinning and The even-aged pure stands with regular thinning and clear cutting at 80-year stand age were simulatedclear cutting at 80-year stand age were simulated

The inter-comparison of the ecosystem parameters The inter-comparison of the ecosystem parameters at the end of simulation with the different climatic at the end of simulation with the different climatic scenarios allowed to specify the effects of N scenarios allowed to specify the effects of N deposition and climate changesdeposition and climate changes

Differences in growing stock

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

N T Sum N T Sum

Pine South Pine North

Ch

ang

e o

f G

row

ing

Sto

ck, %

0

5

10

15

20

25

N T Sum N T Sum

Spruce South Spruce North

Ch

an

ge

of

Gro

win

g S

toc

k, %

N – nitrogen deposition increasing, T – temperature increasing, Sum – cumulative effect of nitrogen deposition and temperature increasing

Difference of SOM-C pool in forest soils

-7

-6

-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

N T Sum N T Sum

Pine South Pine North

Ch

ang

e o

f S

OM

po

ol,

%

-10

-8

-6

-4

-2

0

2

4

N T Sum N T Sum

Spruce South Spruce North

Ch

ang

e o

f S

OM

po

ol,

%

Difference of total ecosystem Carbon pool

0123456789

N T Sum N T Sum

Pine South Pine North

Ch

an

ge

of

tota

l ec

os

yste

m C

, %

0

5

10

15

20

N T Sum N T Sum

Spruce South Spruce North

Chan

ge

of to

tal e

cosy

stem

C, %

The results of this experiment show the uniformity of forest The results of this experiment show the uniformity of forest ecosystem reactions to the climate change and nitrogen ecosystem reactions to the climate change and nitrogen deposition:deposition:increasing of biomass C & ecosystem C, and decreasing of increasing of biomass C & ecosystem C, and decreasing of soil Csoil C

Case study 2. Wood productivity and soil C Case study 2. Wood productivity and soil C dynamics at different rotation length in dynamics at different rotation length in

Norway spruce forestNorway spruce forest The aim of this modelling exercise is a demonstration of

some results that can be useful for the understanding carbon balance and wood production in forest ecosystems under various silvicultural regimes

The experimental data on soil and climate for very productive Höglwald Norway spruce ecosystem have been used as initial parameters (Kreutzer and Göttlein, 1991 )

The time of simulation is 1961 -2050 with temperature increasing and rather high atmospheric nitrogen deposition

Initial stand density was 10000 3-year seedlings per hectare

the rotation length was 15, 30, 45 and 90 years; there was regular thinning at 45 and 90-year rotations.

Two types of cutting was simulated: ecological with cutting residues on the harvested area, and whole tree harvesting (WTH) with removing all above-ground biomass

ResultsAccumulated harvested wood for 90 years

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

15 years 30 years 45 years 90 years

Rotation length

Wood, m

3 ha-

1

EcologicalWTH

Soil C dynamics at different rotation length, cutting residues stays in the forest

0

5

10

15

20

25

0 15 30 45 60 75 90

Years

Soil

C, k

g m

-215 years30 years

45 years90 years

Soil C dynamics at different rotation length, whole tree harvesting

0

5

10

15

20

25

0 15 30 45 60 75 90

Years

Soil

C, k

g m

-2

15 years

30 years

45 years

90 years

The results of this model experiment show that

the short rotation forest management has the short rotation forest management has twice lower wood productivity in twice lower wood productivity in comparison with 90-year rotation at a comparison with 90-year rotation at a long-term time intervallong-term time interval

the SOM carbon stays stable and even the SOM carbon stays stable and even with a trend to decreasing at 15-years with a trend to decreasing at 15-years rotation with WTH, but there is a small soil rotation with WTH, but there is a small soil carbon growth at 45- and 90-year carbon growth at 45- and 90-year rotationsrotations

Landscape (regional) level Landscape (regional) level silvicultural regimessilvicultural regimes

There is few works summarising the real data There is few works summarising the real data on the effects of different silvicultural regimes on the effects of different silvicultural regimes at landscape level, and some publications on at landscape level, and some publications on the application of the simulation modellingthe application of the simulation modelling

The simulation study of the environmental and The simulation study of the environmental and silvicultural effects of silvicultural effects of combination ofcombination of forest forest management regimes at a landscape level has management regimes at a landscape level has two varieties:two varieties:

The first one is a comparison of different The first one is a comparison of different regimes that modelled for the whole territory regimes that modelled for the whole territory (landscape)(landscape)

The second variety represents a simulation of The second variety represents a simulation of the combination of different regimes in the the combination of different regimes in the landscape (enterprise, region) landscape (enterprise, region)

Case study 3.Case study 3. A comparison of ecological consequences of A comparison of ecological consequences of

four silvicultural regimes on the forest territoryfour silvicultural regimes on the forest territory

Simulation scenarios Natural development (Nat). This scenario is a full protection of the

forest in all forest compartments without cutting and catastrophic disturbances.

Russian legal practice (LR). The scenario describes a managed forest with 4 thinning (at 5, 10, 25 and 50 years), the final clear cutting (at 90 year age for coniferous and oak, and 60 year age for birch and lime), with a successful natural regeneration, with a mixture of deciduous species, and with a removal of cutting residues corresponding to their burning on clear cut area.

Selective cutting system (SC). Managed forest with 2 thinning and then selective cuttings each 30 years in uneven-aged stands (30% of basal area from above).

Illegal practice (IL). It is a heavy upper thinning and removing of the best trees, clear cutting without conservation of natural regeneration or planting seedlings following by a domination of deciduous young stands and full removal of cutting residues as well

200 year simulation was performed for every silvicultural regime

This modelling exercise was performed with the integration of the EFIMOD results and the CommonGISCommonGIS software for the

spatial exploratory data analysis (SEDA) of

cartographic data and interactive

geovisualisation of the results of modelling

(Andrienko et al., 2003; Andrienko and

Andrienko, 2005; Chertov et al., 2005)

Natalia and Gennady AndrienkoNatalia and Gennady AndrienkoExploratory Exploratory Analysis of Spatial and Temporal DataAnalysis of Spatial and Temporal Data A Systematic ApproachA Systematic Approach715 p. 282 illus., 37 in colour., Hardcover715 p. 282 illus., 37 in colour., HardcoverSpringer-Verlag, December 2005, ISBN 3-540-25994-5Springer-Verlag, December 2005, ISBN 3-540-25994-5

Book's homepage:Book's homepage: http://www.ais.fraunhofer.de/and/eda SpringerOnline

Interactive maps at the 200-year step of simulation

Tree biomass C, ton ha-1

Soil C, ton ha-1

Time graphs representation of profiles of time series for each forest compartment in four management scenarios in the CommonGIS

Generalized time series of main carbon pools on the territory, ton ha-1

C in Trees

0

50

100

150

200

1 21 41 61 81 101121141161181201

Years

Ton h

a-1

NatSCLRIL

C in Dead wood

0

10

20

30

40

1 21 41 61 81 101121141161181201

Years

Ton h

a-1

NatSCLRIL

C in Soil

25

30

3540

45

50

0 20 40 60 80 100120140160180200

Years

Ton h

a-1

NatSCLRIL

Cumulative NPP for all the territory, Net ecosystem exchange, NEE

ton per 200-year period ton ha -1 year-1

-0.30

-0.10

0.10

0.30

0.50

0.70

0.90

NAT SCU LRU ILLC

arbon t/h

a per

yea

r0

100000

200000

300000

400000

500000

600000

700000

Nat SC LR IL

Total NPP

Harvested biomass

Combination of silvicultural regimes at landscape level

The main principle should be a creation of protective, The main principle should be a creation of protective, productive and recreational zones in the landscapeproductive and recreational zones in the landscape

A hypotheticalA hypotheticalexample of the example of the combination ofcombination ofthe silviculturalthe silviculturalregimesregimes

An example of preliminary SIA marks of carbon sequestration potential on the level of forest stand and for some silvicultural regimes in plain and hilly landscapes in Europe

Silvicultural regimes

Boreal forest Temperate forest

Mediterranean forest

Stand Soil Stand Soil Stand Soil

Clear cutting normalClear cutting badClear cutting with disturbancesShort rotation with fertilizationPatch cuttingSelective cutting normalDauerwaldAfforestation

0-100

+1+1?+1

00-1-10

+1?+1

0-1-1?+1+1+1+1

00-1?+1+1+1+1

0-1-1?+1+1?+1

-1-1-1?+1+1?+1

A template of proposed silvicultural regimes for different natural and economic conditions to A template of proposed silvicultural regimes for different natural and economic conditions to

maximize carbon sink and SIA values in forest ecosystems on landscape levelmaximize carbon sink and SIA values in forest ecosystems on landscape level Climate Economy

developed (? or EU, West European)

in transition (? or former SU)

1* 2 3 4 5 6

Boreal **

Temperate Mediterranean

*Regional patterns: 1 Industrial and urban agglomerations with fragmented forests, developed road network, dense population and industrial pollution.2. Agricultural regions with fragmented forests, developed infrastructure and dense population.3. Distant areas (for example, mountains) with developed road network and relatively low population density.4. Industrial and urban agglomerations with fragmented forests, satisfactory road network, dense population and high industrial pollution.5. Agricultural and forest regions with various road network density and relatively dense population.6. Distant areas with a sparse road network (or even without roads) and low population density.

** Description of the regimes or their combination must be here, for example, regional pattern 4 in boreal climate:

‘‘Combination of recreational and protective (natural development) forest regimes with a Combination of recreational and protective (natural development) forest regimes with a small proportion of intensive forest plantations with fertilization (fore example, Christmas small proportion of intensive forest plantations with fertilization (fore example, Christmas tree arboriculture). Afforestation of degraded lands. No clear cutting of any types desirabletree arboriculture). Afforestation of degraded lands. No clear cutting of any types desirable ’’

To be filled inTo be filled in

Conclusion The data represented above can serve as

some kind of manual for the decision-makers of local (forest enterprise, ownership) and regional level

The decision-makers’ priorities and knowledge of current and expected environmental, economic, historical and social situation in the territory under consideration play a crucial role for the selection of the best strategic and tactical silvicultural, technological, economic and social methods that meet all C&I of SFM with positive SIA marks

So, it will be always a combination of scientific knowledge, IT technology and the expert evaluation

Thank you!