Causes and Consequences of Accelerating Tree Growth in Europe : Proceedings of the International Seminar helt in Nancy, France 14-16 May 1998 : Causes and Consequences of Accelerating Tree Growth in Europe

Joensuu

European Forest Institute

1999

285 S.

Bandaufführung

57315

EFI Proceedings ; Nr. 27, 285 S.

Based on the presentations of the seminar, it can be concluded that there is evidence of accelerated forest growth in Europe. The case studies are based on national forest inventory data, repeated measurements of permanent plots and tree analysis data. There is now a need for studies combining different approaches (utilisation of national forest inventory data, trials on permanent plots, tree analysis) with help of modelling. One of the objectives should be to provide end-users with relevant and regionalised information on the causes and consequences of accelerating forest growth. To be able to consider this, forest management for example should know about standing stock, wood quality, impact of changing practices and evolution of site fertility. The possible causes identified are recovery from past intensive land-use, atmospheric deposition of nitrogen, increasing concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide, and elevation of air temperature. Nevertheless, it is difficult to quantify each impact and even more difficult to separate the relative importance of factors. Possible consequences of accelerating forest growth were also discussed. These are related first to economical aspects: what will be the quantity and quality of wood in future and how wood markets will react on possibly increasing supply of timber, as well as to socio-economic impacts (income and employment at regional and national level). Ecological aspect should not be neglected, since increased growth may involve risks. It was suspected that nutrient imbalances could occur and the forest ecosystem could be more sensitive to extreme events like drought, frost and storm. Since accelerating forest growth is a pan-European phenomenon, it requires contributions from scientists all over Europe and involvement of various stakeholders.