Protected forests in Europe approaches-harmonising the definitions for international comparison and forest policy making

Abstract:The regional effects of climate change on forest ecosystems in the temperate climate zone of Europe can be modelled as shifts of forest vegetation zones in the landscape, northward and to higher elevations. This study applies a biogeographical model of climate conditions in the forest vegetation zones of the Central European landscape, in order to predict the impact of future climate change on the most widespread tree species in European deciduous forests-the European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.). The biogeographical model is supported by a suite of software applications in the GIS environment. The model outputs are defined as a set of conditions -climate scenario A1B by the Special Report on Emission Scenarios (SRES) for a forecast period, for a specified geographical area and with ecological conditions appropriate for the European beech, which provide regional scenarios for predicted future climatic conditions in the context of the European beech's environmental requirements. These predicted changes can be graphically visualized. The results of the model scenarios for regional climate change show that in the Czech Republic from 2070 onwards, optimal growing conditions for the European beech will only exist in some parts of those areas where it currently occurs naturally. Based on these results, it is highly recommended that the national strategy for sustainable forest management in the Czech Republic be partly re-evaluated. Thus, the presented biogeographical model of climate conditions in forest vegetation zones can be applied, not only to generate regional scenarios of climate change in the landscape, but also as a support tool for the development of a sustainable forest management strategy.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modelling of Climate Conditions in Forest Vegetation Zones as a Support Tool for Forest Management Strategy in European Beech Dominated Forests

Machar

Vlčková

Buček

et al. 2017

“…Countries such as Sweden and Finland, which have extensive forest covers and where forestry plays an important role for the GNP, practice relatively intensive forestry, including clear-cutting, planting rather than natural regeneration, even-age stands, and fertilization [24]. On the other hand, in these countries, the forests have often been described as semi-natural, given that they cover large areas [25]. Other countries, such as Slovenia, practice close-to-nature forestry to a large extent, using mainly natural regeneration and retaining natural age structures in stands.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Slovenian report notes that the country uses a variation of silvicultural systems which include logging for group and single-stem selection and create a patchy forest structure with mixed, uneven-aged stands. However, forest areas in continental Europe are more often smaller and fragmented [25]. While they may be managed more for "naturalistic" characteristics (ibid.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How Can Forest Management Adapt to Climate Change? Possibilities in Different Forestry Systems

Keskitalo

2011

Abstract:It is only relatively recently that national adaptation strategies have begun to develop measures by which forestry can adapt to climate change; often those measures opt to use a relatively general strategy for coping under conditions of disturbance. Particularly in states using intensive forest management, such as Sweden, this approach marks a departure from current strategies for achieving maximum yield. In other countries, however, where the economic output from forestry is less significant and interests such as biodiversity, local use and tourism, may figure more prominently, the conditions for developing risk-based forest management may be more manifest. This study reviews literature on adaptations in forest management, and analyzes country reports submitted as part of an EU27 project. The study concludes that the diverse prerequisites and policies of states have seldom been reflected in the design of adaptation management actions to date.

“…A notable difference between the cases is the fact that Ontario introduced a provincial loan guarantee program, while Swedish forestry is largely operating without state grants (although exceptions exist, such as the possibilities to apply for state loans for smaller operations). In Sweden, the comparatively large industry ownership ("Europe's highest commercial forest ownership", [57]) may offer increased opportunities for forest industry to adapt to change, and also means that questions of tenure or ownership are not pronounced in a fashion similar to that in Ontario. Indeed the high level of provincial forest ownership in Ontario suggests a state responsibility and therefore strong opportunity for provincial leaders to initiate regional adaptation and preparedness strategies in the forest sector.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preparing for and Responding to Disturbance: Examples from the Forest Sector in Sweden and Canada

Keskitalo

Klenk

Bullock

et al. 2011

Abstract:Coping or adaptation following large-scale disturbance may depend on the political system and its preparedness and policy development in relation to risks. Adaptive or foresight planning is necessary in order to account and plan for potential risks that may increase or take place concurrently with climate change. Forests constitute relevant examples of large-scale renewable resource systems that have been directly affected by recent environmental and social changes, and where different levels of management may influence each other. This article views disturbances in the forest sectors of Sweden and Canada, two large forest nations with comparable forestry experiences, in order to elucidate the preparedness and existing responses to multiple potential stresses. The article concludes that the two countries are exposed to stresses that indicate the importance of the governing and institutional system particularly with regard to multi-level systems including federal and EU levels. While economic change largely results in privatization of risk onto individual companies and their economic resources (in Canada coupled with a contestation of institutional systems and equity in these), storm and pest outbreaks in particular OPEN ACCESS Forests 2011, 2 506 challenge institutional capacities at administrative levels, within the context provided by governance and tenure systems.