The Picking of Wild Berries in Finland in 1997 and 1998

116

Empirical models for the abundance and berry yield of V. myrtillus were constructed using generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) techniques. The percentage coverage of bilberry was predicted as a function of site and stand characteristics using the permanent sample plots of the National Forest Inventory (NFI) in 1995. The number of bilberries was predicted as a function of percentage coverage and stand characteristics using a sub-sample of the NFI plots in North Karelia. The between-year variation in the bilberry yield was analysed using the permanent experimental plots (MASI) established in different areas of Finland and measured in [2001][2002][2003][2004][2005][2006][2007]. The highest coverage of bilberry was found on mesic heath sites; on sub-xeric and herb-rich heath sites the values were 62% of that for mesic sites. The decreasing effect of deciduous trees (compared to spruce) was significant only on herb-rich heath sites. The coverage increased along with stand development up to certain stand ages and basal areas. The bilberry yields were higher in pine-dominated stands than in spruce-dominated ones. In spruce stands, the coverage of bilberry and stand basal area significantly affected the number of berries, whereas in pine stands only the coverage was a significant predictor. In the MASI data, the bilberry yield of pine stands was two times higher than that of spruce stands; however, the between-year variation in bilberry yield was higher in the spruce than in the pine stands. The estimated models were used to predict the bilberry coverage and yield along with stand development. On mesic heath sites in southern Finland (1200 dd.), the predicted annual yield of bilberry was about 25 kg ha -1 (95% confidence interval 9-73 kg ha -1 ) in a mature pine stand and about 10 kg ha -1 (3-35 kg ha -1 ) in a mature spruce stand. The models can be included in stand simulators, where they would facilitate the prediction of bilberry abundance and yields for silvicultural and forest planning purposes.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Kardell 1980, Salo 1995, Saastamoinen et al 2000, Kangas 2001. Bilberry is widely collected for both household consumption and sale.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modelling the abundance and temporal variation in the production of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) in Finnish mineral soil forests

Miina¹,

Hotanen²,

Salo³

2009

116

“…In addition, two of these species, V. myrtillus and V. vitis-idaea, are amongst economically the most important wild berry species worldwide (Kardell 1980;Salo 1995;Saastamoinen et al 2000;Kangas 2001). Their berries, used in fresh or processed form for household consumption and for sale, are still excessively picked from plants from natural populations (Katsube et al 2003;Zhao et al 2004;Åkerström 2010;Garkava-Gustavsson et al 2005) despite the increasing commercial production and cultivation of improved cultivars produced in breeding programs conducted worldwide (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic patterns in range-edge populations of <i>Vaccinium</i> species from the central Balkans: implications on conservation prospects and sustainable usage

Bjedov¹,

Obratov–Petković²,

Mišić³

et al. 2015

., Aleksić J.M. (2015). Genetic patterns in rangeedge populations of Vaccinium species from the central Balkans: implications on conservation prospects and sustainable usage. Silva Fennica vol. 49 no. 4 article id 1283. 23 p. Highlights• We studied fragmentary distributed range-edge populations of Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium uliginosum and Vaccinium vitis-idaea from the Balkans using RAPDs.• Low genetic diversities and high genetic differentiation were found in all species.• The prevalence of clonal individuals was not observed.• Past interspecific hybridization among V. vitis-idaea and the other two species was detected.• Guidelines for conservation and sustainable usage were provided. AbstractVaccinium myrtillus L., Vaccinium uliginosum L. and Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. are perennial, coldadapted clonal shrubs distributed throughout Europe, northern Asia and North America. Due to their usage in food (berries) and pharmaceutical industry (berries and leaves), their natural populations are exposed to anthropogenic and other impacts that affect their genetic make-up. We analyzed 14 fragmentary distributed and small-sized peripheral populations of these species from the Balkans, which represents the southeastern-European marginal area of their wide European distributions, using RAPD molecular markers. The contemporary genetic patterns in all three species within the Balkans were generally similar, and in comparison to previous reports on populations of these species found in northward Europe, where they have a more continuous distribution, the levels of genetic diversity were more or less halved, genetic differentiation was several times higher, gene flow exceptionally low, and the expected prevalence of clonal individuals was lacking. The population dynamics of all three species within the Balkans was complex and distinct, and was characterized by a past admixture of individuals from discrete populations of the same species and interspecific hybridisation not only between V. myrtillus and V. vitis-idaea but also between V. uliginosum and V. vitis-idaea, the latter not being reported to date. Conservation measures suitable for preservation of presumably genetically distinct portions of the Balkans' gene pools of studied species have been suggested, while the utility of interspecific hybrids in breeding programs and/ or in food/pharmaceutical industry is yet to be assessed.

“…The total value of the harvested wild berry crop was estimated at EUR 115 million in 1997 and EUR 95 million in 1998. These values include both picking for home use and commercial picking (Saastamoinen et al 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Empirical prediction models for Vaccinium myrtillus and V. vitis-idaea berry yields in North Karelia, Finland

Ihalainen¹,

Salo²,

Pukkala³

2003

Forest berries and the outdoor experiences related to berry collection are important goods and services provided by Finnish forests. Consequently, there is a need for models which facilitate the prediction of the impacts of alternative forest management options on berry yields. Very few such models are available. In particular, empirical models are lacking. Models used in forest management should express the effect of variables altered in forest management such as stand density and mean tree size. This study developed empirical models for bilberry and cowberry yields in North Karelia. The data consisted of 362 measurements of 40 m 2 sample plots. The plots were located in clusters. The same plot was measured over 1 to 4 years. Besides berry yield some site and growing stock characteristics of each plot were measured. A random parameter model was used to express the berry yield as a function of site fertility, growing stock characteristics, and random parameters. The random part of the models accounted for the effect of plot, measurement year, and cluster. The fixed predictors of the model for bilberry were stand age and forest site type. Stand basal area, mean tree diameter and forest site type were used to predict cowberry yields. The most significant random parameter was the plot factor. The fixed model part explained only a few per cent of the variation in berry yields. The signs of regression coefficients were logical and the model predictions correlated rather well with the predictions of earlier models.