Using stand-scale forest models for estimating indicators of sustainable forest management

Abstract

focusing on stand scale models and management. To do this, we first present a conceptual framework for understanding the role of models in assessing forest management at the stand level in the context of sustainability criteria and indicators. We classify the criteria into those predictable using models operating at the stand scale, and those derivable either through scaling up or as solutions of a multi-objective management optimisation problem.We conclude that to date, no comprehensive models exist that could be used to predict all the indicators simultaneously. The most promising approach seems to be a modular system where different models are combined and run simultaneously, with shared inputs and well defined mutual links. More modelling efforts are needed especially regarding the state of the soil, including carbon, nitrogen and water balances and physical effects. Models also need development in their ability to deal with heterogeneous stand structures and with non-woody forest products such as berries, mushrooms or cork. The outputs of the models need to be developed in a direction where they can be interpreted in terms of the recreational or biodiversity value of the forest.Data requirements are most pronounced on the same issues as the gaps in model availability. It would be important to consider amending the national forest inventories and other similar standard data collection protocols with variables required for sustainability assessment. Importantly, combining different models in a modular system and with variable data sources requires advanced model parameterisation and evaluation methods and assessment of parameter and model uncertainty. The probabilistic, Bayesian approaches hold a lot of promise in this respect. Predictions using several different models or model systems, with systematic analysis of e.g. inter-model variability, could also be considered.

Potential impacts of regional climate change on site productivity of Larix olgensis plantations in northeast China

“…Using traditional growth and yield models, it is difficult to predict forest growth under climate change because the site index is always assumed to be constant (Fontes et al 2010, Mäkelä et al 2012. Although process-based models are still widely used, recent models describing the relationships between the site index and environmental/climatic factors have the potential to facilitate the prediction of timber production in the context of environmental change (Monserud et al 2006, Albert & Schmidt 2009.…”

Modelling tree growth to determine the sustainability of current off-take from miombo woodland: a case study from rural villages in Malawi

“…However, there is an increasing demand for forest models to develop beyond simulating tree growth rates to include evaluation of trade-offs between ecosystem services, climate and human impact (Mäkelä et al 2012;Willcock et al 2016a). Sustainable forest management should incorporate the maintenance of ecological functions and contributions to economic and social wellbeing.…”

“…Sustainable forest management should incorporate the maintenance of ecological functions and contributions to economic and social wellbeing. Assessment of these ecosystem service benefits are beyond the scope of this study, and to date, no comprehensive models exist that can be used to predict all the indicators of sustainable forest management simultaneously (Mäkelä et al 2012). However, there is a rapidly growing literature base and ecosystem modelling tools that incorporate and evaluate interactions between humans and ecosystems across a range of scales (Vigerstol & Aukema 2011).…”

Spatial Distribution of Biomass and Woody Litter for Bio-Energy in Biscay (Spain)

“…We used biomass equations in this research, because this method may provide more precise estimations than BEF and because it is used more frequently to estimate the biomass of forests [25,28,29].…”