Economic and Production Effect of Tree Species Change as a Result of Adaptation to Climate Change

Abstract

Climate change is increasingly affecting forest ecosystems. Modifying the species composition towards species mixtures with a higher potential to mitigate the negative effect of climate change is one of the basic silvicultural measures. Potential economic and production impacts of these actions need to be assessed. This study therefore aims to evaluate the economic and production effect of species composition change as a result of the adaptation of forest ecosystems to climate change. The differences between the value production of Norway spruce (Picea abies /L./Karst.), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziessi/MIRBEL/FRANCO) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) on fresh soils (represented mainly by mesotrophic cambisols), and soils affected by ground water (mainly pseudogley forms of cambisols and pseudogleys) were evaluated. The study was conducted on the area of the forest enterprise of the Czech University of Life Sciences (UFE) situated in the Central Bohemia region. For a model comparison of height and volume growth of Douglas fir and Norway spruce in this area, all stands (pure and mixed) with both species represented were analysed using the data from the current forest management plan and Korf’s growth function. The course of current and mean height increments over time is very similar, yet with constantly higher annual increments for Douglas fir. In 100 years, the mean stand height of Douglas fir is 6 m larger than that of Norway spruce. Production and economic potential were also evaluated. At the rotation age, the volume and value production of Douglas fir was 30% to 50% higher than that of Norway spruce. A higher share of Douglas fir in the total forest area would lead to an important value increment of the forests in the study area. Different results were achieved by comparing the yield potential of Norway spruce with European beech, which most often substitutes spruce at middle altitudes. Beech potential yield is only 40–55% of the spruce yield level.

Microsites Influence the Light Response of Young Douglas-Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco)

“…The possibility of replacing spruce at lower altitudes below 700 m a.s.l. and the admixture of Douglas-fir with other tree species may represent a realis-tic and cost-effective alternative, which would reduce the risk for better drought tolerance and better mechanical properties on suitable sites [53,54]. However, the recommendation as an alternative tree species for declining spruce at lower altitudes should be regarded with caution, as Douglas-fir was also revealed to have increased sensitivity to increased temperatures and drought stress in Central Europe [55].…”

Epigenetic Mechanisms of Tree Responses to Climatic Changes

“…Forest trees are perennial organisms characterised by complex life cycles that are exposed to changing environmental conditions during their long lifespans [ 41 ]. From the end of the 20th century onward, Europe has been exposed to an increase in temperature combined with a deficit in rainfall, which has negatively impacted both the health and vitality of forest stands; this, in turn, may lead to significant social and economic losses [ 80 , 81 ] as forests play an essential role in maintaining the environmental balance, storing CO 2 , preventing soil erosion, supplying wood, etc. [ 82 ].…”

“…Climate change is influencing the availability of resources and conditions that are critical to plant performance. Currently, some tree species are considered resistant to the effects of climate change [ 80 ]. One of the ways plants respond to changing environmental conditions is through the acclimatization by phenotypic plasticity [ 6 , 85 ].…”

Community Experiences in the use of Modified Taungya System for Restoring Degraded Forests and Improving Livelihoods in Ghana

“…This is happening while at the same time there are growing demands for forest products for the local, national and global markets (Jonsson, 2009). Furthermore, the issue of climate change has put additional demands on the forest in terms of both providing biomass and serving as a carbon sink (Pugh et al, 2019;Remeš et al, 2020). Thus, there is a need to respond to the growing interest in forest products and to address biodiversity loss, but to do so in a sustainable way.…”