Metla Project 3303

Fire and its use in boreal forest ecosystems

[  Suomeksi  |  Objectives  |  Results  |  Project leader  |  Researchers  |  Publications  |  Metla Research  ]

Duration: 2000-2006   Keywords: fire behaviour, forest fires, prescribed burning, succession
Research project group: Distinct projects 1 - Structure and function of forest ecosystems

Objectives

The aim of the project is to increase knowledge of the role and the effects of forest fires in boreal forests. In collaboration with other research units we intend to develop a fuel type classification of Finnish forests and develop models to describe fire behaviour and first-order fire effects. These models can be used in prediction and suppression of forest fires, but also when applying prescribed burning. Our aim is also to develop forest management methods that are based on natural disturbance regimes, mainly fire. We intend to apply the ecological knowledge from empirical studies to maintain and restore the features of pristine forests in managed stands. This will be done by using and developing prescribed burning methods to better mimic forest fires. We also study ecological effects of various forest management methods, focusing especially on green tree retention.

Results

So far results show that vegetation response depends almost linearly on treatment intensity. Clearfelling and green tree retention felling with low (7%) level of retention result in major vegetation changes with little differences as compared to each other. In gap felling (50 % of tree volume removed) and selection felling (30% removed) vegetation changes were less destructive and almost similar as compared to each other. Vegetation effects after scarification are much higher than in regeneration felling without scarification. Scarification also has negative effects on CWD. In scarification 60 % of the logs are being destroyed.

Project leader: Vanha-Majamaa, Ilkka
The Finnish Forest Research Institute, Vantaa Unit, PL 18, FI-01301 VANTAA, FINLAND
Phone: +358 29 532 2532
E-mail: ilkka.vanha-majamaa@metla.fi

Other researchers: Galand, Pierre (2004), Haaparanta, Ahti (2002-04), Hautala, Harri, VA (2002), Hänninen, Noora (2003), Immonen, Ilkka (2002), Kauhanen, Heikki, KO (2002-06), Korpela, Leila, VA (2003), Laaka-Lindberg, Sanna (2006), Lilja, Saara (2006), Lindberg, Henrik (2003-04), Rabinowitsch-Jokinen, Ruut (2005), Ryömä, Riitta (2002), Salo, Kauko, JO (2002-04), Sidoroff, Katja (2003), Tamminen, Pekka, VA (2002-03), Timonen, Mauri, RO (2002), Tonteri, Tiina, VA (2002-03)


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Updated 12.06.2012
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