Case studies to answer specific applied questions using the research results of the study

Responsible scientist: Annikki Mäkelä, University of Helsinki, Department of Forest Ecology
Other participants: all members of the consortium

An integrated effort is made to complete some selected case studies utilising the research in this consortium, and involving all partners. We will focus on the following two questions:

1. What kind of thinning strategies give the best economic revenue for Scots pine, assuming the main usage as sawn timber? What pricing mechanisms in the roundwood market provide the financial basis for the forest owner to produce quality timber?
2. For growing Norway spruce, does optimal forest management depend on whether the goal is chemical or mechanical wood conversion? Is one of these methods overall more cost-effective than the other? How does this balance depend on the relative prices of sawlogs and pulpwood?

The results of these case studies will be reported in joint papers to the scientific community and to the potential users of the model system (Task 6).