Stand growth scenarios for Tectona grandis plantations in Costa Rica

Abstract

Fast-growing, high-yield tree plantations are an increasingly significant source of wood in the tropics. In these areas, improved wood productivity is an important economic goal. In Costa Rica and other countries in Central America, most of the tree plantations, especially those of advanced age, have not had the productivity expected of them. In the general context of a closer relationship between management practices and quality wood production, the general objective of this research was to develop a set of intensive management scenarios that could lead to alternative timber production practices with attainable and promising economic returns.Data for the different studies were collected in different regions of Costa Rica, covering almost all climatic conditions where T. grandis plantations have been established and where the species has adapted well. The study consisted fundamentally of the measurement of growth and yield parameters at the stand level and of the analysis of wood properties at the individual tree level and the interrelationship between silvicultural management and site conditions.High intensity, timely thinnings yielded both individual tree and stand volume, i.e. the objective of high individual tree growth was met without a severe reduction in stand yield. Pruning up to a reasonable height and on time caused no reduction in tree growth and stand yield. Moreover, pruning may improve stem form (higher form factor, lower stem taper) and heartwood content.Important characteristics, such as heartwood content and wood density, were found to be related more to tree age than to silvicultural management practices, especially at early plantation stages.Growth scenarios for 20 and 30 year rotations with the objectives of high individual tree growth and high stand growth were developed for high, medium, and low quality sites. Different site classes, production objectives, rotation periods, and discount rates resulted in marked differences in the financial profitability projections of the developed scenarios. I would like to express my gratitude to Dr. Markku Kanninen, who has believed in this study since the beginning of the journey and has encouraged me on a daily basis and for over five years of hard but unforgettable joint work to make real today's final research product. So many years working under Dr. Kanninen's supervision has brought my knowledge of forest silviculture to levels of understanding far beyond my expectations. Finally, his remarkable leadership of the research project, which this study is part of, has given me an invaluable example of team work, professionalism, and friendship, three fundamental ingredients for success.I am grateful to Dr. Pasi Puttonen and Dr. Lauri Valsta, from which I received unconditional support during these five years of research, especially during my stays in the beautiful country of Finland, where I also collected unforgettable memories and valuable knowledge. Their understanding, guidance, constant encouragement and constructive criticism were essential for th...

Species-site matching in mixed species plantations of native trees in tropical Australia

“…Estimates of productivity and prediction of species interactions up to age 20 years and beyond requires remeasurement of CRRP or other older plantations to reliably extend SI curves in maturing plantations. The SI values for the high-value timber species in this study at age 10 years (10-25 m), are favourable when compared to those reported for Tectona grandis (Teak) at age 10 of 5-17 m (Nunifi and Murchison 1999;Perez and Kanninen 2005). An increasing global demand for high quality cabinet-wood timber, and a continued depletion of natural stocks, will ensure future demand for forestry systems that include native tropical timber trees.…”

Heuristic forest planning model for optimizing timber production and carbon sequestration in teak plantations

“…Moreover, the simulated dynamics of the stand variables (diameter, basal area, stand density) were within the expected limits for acceptable quality teak stands in terms of both growth and yield (Bermejo et al 2004, Pérez & Kanninen 2005. Model sensitivity analysis indicated that stand growth rates and timber prices strongly influence optimal management plans obtainable, while interest rates, carbon price, and annual production goals had a lesser influence.…”

Forest Management Approaches for Coping with the Uncertainty of Climate Change: Trade-Offs in Service Provisioning and Adaptability

“…In single-service forestry, timber production programs come to mind as being explicitly deterministic in accordance with the concept of adaptedness. Very good examples are highvalue timber production programs in temperate (Hein et al 2006) or tropical (Pérez and Kanninen 2005) regions. Such programs typically begin with density/spacing prescriptions, specify weeding and tending operations, include pruning protocols, have clear thinning schedules, and end with target diameter and/or rotation period restrictions.…”

“…As part of the high-adaptability strategy, the fitness, vitality, and regeneration capacity of tree species populations become important issues (Bormann and Likens 1979:105). Therefore, it is important to consider that pollination and fructification depend on crown surface area (Pretzsch and Schütze 2005) as well as on general growth parameters (Pérez and Kanninen 2005). Thus, release treatments are a useful means for guaranteeing vitality and fitness of the highest possible number of tree species.…”

“…That applies not just to practitioners, but to forest scientists as well (e.g., Pérez and Kanninen 2005). The concept of using a set of specified treatments that will result in predictable responses from the forest is very old, and it is rooted both in a reductionist scientific approach and in the demand for particular ecosystem services from forest enterprises, i.e., what forest owners or the public generally want.…”