Metla Project 3578

Forest management in changing climate with multiple targets of timber production, carbon sequestration and maintenance of biodiversity

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

Duration: 2012   Keywords: Biodiversity, Carbon sink, Climate change, Ecosystem modeling
Research project group: Distinct projects 1 - Structure and function of forest ecosystems

Objectives

In Fennoscandia, one of the most critical questions related to climate change is the future development of forests. Sustainable forestry requires that adaption measures are planned well in advance, since forest management in boreal forests is an activity with an exceptionally long time perspective. The overall objective of this project is to develop economically optimal adaptation and mitigation strategies for the management of Scots pine, Norway spruce and Silver birch in the future climatic conditions. In this study, we will integrate advanced ecological models on forest growth and scenarios on climate change with economic description on forestry and long-term optimization. We will predict effects of climate change on stand development with a process-based growth model, which will be further developed to improve applicability to climate change simulations by including soil nutrient and water dynamics and model of acclimation capacity of different tree species. Model development will be supported by an experimental study where responses of tree species and dwarf shrubs to climate change are tested. The plants will be grown under current climatic conditions, as well as under those simulating the future climate. The variations in the photosynthetic potential will be measured with a fluorometer. Especially the recovery of photosynthetic potential in spring and the loss of the capacity during the autumn will be examined. These results will then be used to refine the process-based growth model.

This project will produce new scientific knowledge on responses of ecosystem processes to climate change by experimental studies and by modeling interlinkages between ecosystem processes. We will evaluate effects of climate change on relative economic profitability of major tree species. Our project will analyse cost-efficiency of adaptive measures and identify optimal adaptation strategies, which will directly serve forest owners and forest extension services. In addition, the ecological modeling and economic analyses that account other ecosystem services (carbon sequestration, bioenergy production, maintenance of biodiversity) beside timber production are essential for design of public policy measures.

Results

For activities of the research team see http://www.metla.fi/hanke/3422/index-en.htm

Project leader: Mäkipää, Raisa
The Finnish Forest Research Institute, Vantaa Unit, PL 18, FI-01301 VANTAA, FINLAND
Phone: +358 10 211 2197 Telefax: +358 10 211 2103
E-mail: raisa.makipaa@metla.fi

Other researchers: Pulkkinen, Pertti, HA (2012), Salemaa, Maija, VA (2012), Siitonen, Juha, VA (2012)


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Updated 24.05.2012
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