Fertilization in northern forests – biological, economic and environmental constraints and possibilities

Hedwall, Per‐Ola; Gong, Peichen; Ingerslev, Morten; Bergh, Johan

doi:10.1080/02827581.2014.926096

Cited by 66 publications

(61 citation statements)

References 93 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…1), after which the marginal befit begins to decrease substantially. However, the negative effects of fertilization, for instance nutrient leaching, toxic effects on microorganisms, deteriorated wood quality and increased browsing may also increase with increasing N dose (Saarsalmi and Mälkönen 2001;Hedwall et al 2014). Therefore, although the optimal amounts of N were often higher than the recommended 150 kg N ha -1 , it may be wise to follow the recommendation and perhaps fertilize more often.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although the growth response of fertilization is wellknown, there is less research on the profitability of fertilization and its optimal timing (Hedwall et al 2014). It is rather clear that fertilization is profitable at least with low discount rates if the additional growth is realized in a cutting within 10 years.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Fertilization was commonly used in Nordic countries during the 1970's when the annual fertilization areas could reach 200 000 ha in Sweden and 150 000 ha in Finland (Hedwall et al 2014). The areas have drastically decreased from those peak years but they may increase again in the near future because of the increasing importance of bioeconomy.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Fertilizers developed for mineral soils often include some phosphorus, in addition to nitrogen, especially when Norway spruce stands are fertilized (Kukkola and Saramäki 1983;Hedwall et al 2014). Forests that have been under slash and burn cultivation in the past often suffer from the lack of boron, resulting in growth disturbances.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The areas have drastically decreased from those peak years but they may increase again in the near future because of the increasing importance of bioeconomy. Fertilization has been seen as a means to enhance the production of renewable resources (Hedwall et al 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Optimal nitrogen fertilization of boreal conifer forest

Pukkala

2017

For. Ecosyst.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Forest fertilization offers a means to increase the production of renewable resources. Nitrogen is the most common fertilizer in boreal upland forests. There is plenty of research on the effect of nitrogen fertilization on volume growth, but less research on the optimal timing of fertilization and optimal management of fertilized stands. Methods: This study used simulation and optimization to analyze the profitability of fertilization, optimal management of fertilized stands and the effects of fertilization on cash flows and timber yields. The management of 100 stands representing the most common growing sites of Scots pine and Norway spruce was optimized. Results: Fertilization improved profitability in most of the analyzed stands. Profitability improved most in spruce stands growing on mesic site. Improving stem quality increased the economic benefit of fertilization. The timber yields of medium-aged conifer stands can be increased by almost 1 m

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Optimal nitrogen fertilization of boreal conifer forest

Pukkala

2017

For. Ecosyst.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Scenario analyses on the effects of fertilization, improved regeneration material, and ditch network maintenance on timber production of Finnish forests

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We used national scenario analyses to examine the effects of fertilization, use of improved regeneration material and ditch network maintenance (DNM), both separately and simultaneously, on timber production of Finnish forests under the current climate. We also analyzed how the area of artificial regeneration, forest fertilization, and DNM developed in different management and harvesting intensity scenarios. The initial data were obtained from the 11 th National Forest Inventory of Finland, excluding protected forests. Four sets of evenflow harvesting scenarios with annual timber harvest targets of 60, 70, 80, and 90 million m 3 were developed for 90-year simulation period. Use of improved material in artificial forest regeneration was assumed to result in 10% higher diameter and height increment compared to naturally regenerated seedlings. Sub-xeric pine-dominated and mesic spruce-dominated sites were fertilized, and 40% of drained peatlands were maintenance ditched when they fulfilled a set of predetermined criteria for temperature sum, stand basal area and mean tree diameter. As a result, when fertilization, improved regeneration material, and DNM were all used, the mean annual volume increment over the 90-year simulation period increased by 3.4-5.4 million m 3 depending on harvesting intensity. The maximum sustainable harvest of timber would be almost 80 million m 3 yr-1. The simulated fertilization area was about four times larger than the presently fertilized area and the simulated DNM area was about the same as the current. Fertilization gave the largest additional 90-year volume increment and the DNM the smallest when they were used separately. The use of improved regeneration material gave the largest additional volume increment in southern Finland and fertilization in central and northern Finland.

show abstract

Long-term response of soil and stem wood properties to repeated nitrogen fertilization in a N-limited Scots pine stand

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Nitrogen is the nutrient mainly limiting forest growth on mineral soil sites in the boreal regions. The objective of this study was to find out the response of stem wood N to repeated fertilizations and to find out their long-lasting effects on soil organic matter composition, focusing on C and N cycling processes and concentrations of condensed tannins. The site was located in a relatively unfertile Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stand in eastern Finland. The treatments were three levels of N fertilization (0, 150, 300 kg/ha) applied four times at 5-year intervals with the last addition 29 years ago. The N additions had not changed the pH of the humus layer but resulted in higher availability of N. The C-to-N ratio of organic matter decreased with increasing N addition. The treatment of 300 kg/ha increased the net N mineralization rate and the ratio of net N mineralization/microbial biomass N and decreased the amount of C in the microbial biomass and its C-to-N ratio and the concentration of condensed tannins. Net nitrification and extractable nitrate were negligible in all soils. In soil diffusive fluxes, NH4-, NO3- and amino acid-N were all detected by in situ microdialysis sampling; the results showed large variation but supported higher N availability in N fertilized soil. The N fertilization increased tree-ring widths and the effect lasted for about 10 years after the last fertilization event. Nitrogen content and the N isotopic ratio 15N/14N (δ15N) in tree-rings increased both after the first N addition in the treatment of 300 kg/ha. In conclusion, soil properties still indicated higher N availability in the N fertilized soil after three decades since the latest fertilization, but the response of tree diameter growth had faded out after a much shorter period.

show abstract

Fertilization in northern forests – biological, economic and environmental constraints and possibilities

Cited by 66 publications

References 93 publications

Optimal nitrogen fertilization of boreal conifer forest

Optimal nitrogen fertilization of boreal conifer forest

Scenario analyses on the effects of fertilization, improved regeneration material, and ditch network maintenance on timber production of Finnish forests

Long-term response of soil and stem wood properties to repeated nitrogen fertilization in a N-limited Scots pine stand

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About