Understanding Europe’s forest harvesting regimes

European forests are being shaped by active human use and management, and by harvesting of wood in particular. Yet, our understanding of how forests are harvested across Europe is limited, as the real harvest regimes are not well described by currently available data. Here, we analyse recent harvests, as observed in permanent plots of forest inventories in 11 European countries, totaling to 182,649 plots and covering all major forest types. We (a) characterize harvest regimes through the frequency and intensity of harvest events spatially across Europe, and (b) build models for the probability and intensity of harvest events at the plot-level and examine the links to potential drivers of harvest, including the pre-harvest forest structure and composition, climatic, topographic and socio-economic factors, and past natural disturbances. The results revealed notable variation in harvest regimes across Europe, ranging from high-frequency and low-intensity harvests in eastern Central Europe to low-frequency and high-intensity harvests in the north, with different strategies emerging in regions with similar total harvest rates. The harvest regimes were strongly driven by country-level variation, emphasizing the role of national-level factors. Pre-harvest forest properties were important drivers for the intensity of harvest, whereas the probability of harvest was more related to socio-economic factors and natural disturbances. The presented quantification of the forest harvesting regimes provides much needed detail in our understanding of the contemporary forest management practices in Europe, providing a baseline against which to assess future changes in management and strengthening the knowledge-base for decision-making on European level

Askeleita kohti ilmastoviisaampia turvepeltojen viljelykäytäntöjä : Alueelliset ratkaisukeinot eloperäisten maatalousmaiden ilmastovaikutusten hillitsemisessä (ARMI) -hankkeen tuloksia

Projektin aiemmat julkaisut: Liite 2: Tietokortti: Kohti ilmastoviisaampia turvepeltojen viljelykäytäntöjä Liite 3: Suorakylvön ilmastovaikutukset turvepelloille Liite 4:Kalvosarja: Kohti ilmastoviisaampia turvepeltojen viljelykäytäntöjä Alueelliset ratkaisukeinot eloperäisten maatalousmaiden ilmastovaikutusten hillitsemisessä (ARMI) -hankkeen tavoitteena oli etsiä ratkaisuja erityisesti eloperäisten viljelymaiden ilmastovaikutusten hillitsemiseksi. Hanke tuotti tietoa erilaisten nurmikiertojen kasvihuonekaasupäästöistä (KHK) eloperäisillä mailla ja selvitti eloperäisten maiden ojitustekniikoiden toimivuutta. Lisäksi selvitettiin ja aktivoitiin alueellisia ja paikallisia vaikuttamismahdollisuuksia ilmastonmuutoksen hillinnän ja sopeutumisen edistämiseksi maataloudessa. Paikallisia vaikuttamismahdollisuuksia pohdittiin viljelijöiden näkemyksiä kuunnellen. Hankkeen toteutti Luonnonvarakeskus vuosina 2022–2024, ja sen toimintaa tukivat omalla asiantuntijapanostuksellaan Valio Oy, Nautasuomi Oy, Salaojayhdistys ry ja Salaojituksen tukisäätiö sr sekä MTK Pohjois-Suomi ry. Koko nurmikierron aikaisia KHK-päästöjä on toistaiseksi tutkittu turvemailla hyvin vähän. ARMI oli ilmeisesti ensimmäinen kesäuudistuksen vaikutuksia tutkinut hanke ja toi siten uutta tieteellistä tietoa aiheesta. Tilakokeiden perusteella nurmen kesäuudistusta ei voi suositella nurmiviljelykierron kasvihuonekaasupäästöjä vähentäväksi keinoksi. Hanke tunnisti tietoaukkoja maatalousmaiden ojitustiedoissa, mikä vaikuttaa kasvihuonekaasuinventaarion, ravinnekuormituslaskennan ja DTW-indeksin (depth-to-water, etäisyys pohjaveteen) laskentoihin. Hankkeessa tehtiin kattava arvio avo-ojitettujen peltolohkojen määrästä, mitä voidaan hyödyntää kartoituksen edelleen kehittämisessä. Hieman yli kolmannes (43 770 kpl) kartoituksen peltolohkoista luokittui avo-ojitetuksi. Näillä lohkoilla vähintään 30 cm paksun turvemaan pinta-ala oli 136 000 ± 7 000 ha (5 % virhemarginaalilla). Peltolohkojen valintakriteereistä johtuen pääosa tästä pinta-alasta oli vähintään 40 cm turvekerroksen turvemaita. Hankkeessa selvitettiin paikallis- ja aluetoimijoiden näkökulmia ja ratkaisuja maatalouden ilmastopäästöjen hillintään, turvepeltojen ilmastoystävälliseen käyttöön sekä maatalouden alueellisen ilmastotyön nykytilaa. Menetelminä olivat ilmastostrategioiden kirjallisuusselvitys, kyselytutkimus sekä lähi- ja etätyöpajat. Hankkeen tuotoksista voivat hyötyä niin viljelijät, kuntien maaseutuhallinnon ja ilmastohankkeiden toimijat kuin turvepeltoteemojen kanssa työskentelevät henkilöt. ARMI-hanke on osa maa- ja metsätalousministeriön Hiilestä kiinni -ilmastotoimenpidekokonaisuutta. Toimenpiteillä pyritään vähentämään maa- ja metsätalouden ja muun maankäytön kasvihuonekaasupäästöjä ja vahvistamaan hiilinieluja ja varastoja. Lisää toimenpidekokonaisuudesta täällä: mmm.fi/maankayttosektorin-ilmastosuunnitelma

A Coupled Model of Hydraulic Eco-Physiology and Cambial Growth - Accounting for Biophysical Limitations and Phenology Improves Stem Diameter Prediction at High Temporal Resolution

Traditional photosynthesis-driven growth models have considerable uncertainties in predicting tree growth under changing climates, partially because sink activities are directly affected by the environment but not adequately addressed in growth modelling. Therefore, we developed a semi-mechanistic model coupling stomatal optimality, temperature control of enzymatic activities and phenology of cambial growth. Parameterized using Bayesian inference and measured data on Picea abies and Pinus sylvestris in peatland and mineral soils in Finland, the coupled model simulates transpiration and assimilation rates and stem radial dimension (SRD) simultaneously at 30 min resolution. The results suggest that both the sink and phenological formulations with environmental effects are indispensable for capturing SRD dynamics across hourly to seasonal scales. Simulated using the model, growth was more sensitive than assimilation to temperature and soil water, suggesting carbon gain is not driving growth at the current temporal scale. Also, leaf-specific production was occasionally positively correlated with growth duration but not with growth onset timing or annual cambial area increment. Thus, as it is hardly explained by carbon gain, phenology itself should be included in sink-driven growth models of the trees in the boreal zone and possibly other environments where sink activities and photosynthesis are both restrained by harsh conditions.202

Local population dynamics of gray wolves Canis lupus and Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx exhibit consistency with intraspecific contest competition models

In Europe, the gray wolf and Eurasian lynx populations are recovering after various levels of persecution. The two species differ in their social structure and spatial patterns of aggregation. Using model selection, we investigated the consistency of the available time series data on local wolf and lynx sub-populations with a number of single-species population growth models that pertain to two types of intraspecific competition, namely, scramble (SC) and contest competition (CC), and reflect random (R) or aggregated (A) distribution of individuals. The applied models of population growth—the Ricker (SCR), Skellam (CCR), Hassell (SCA), and Beverton–Holt (CCA) models—were all parameterized in terms of intrinsic growth rate and carrying capacity with unified definitions. The projected carrying capacity was allowed to show a temporal trend, which was justified by an observed increase in prey abundance in recent decades. For both species, the models pertaining to contest competition outperformed the scramble competition models, and the Beverton–Holt model had the greatest weight. However, for the lynx, the difference of performance between the scramble and contest competition models was considerably smaller than that for the wolves. In most of the models, when it was meaningful, an optional time lag operator was added to account for a delay in individual maturity and reproduction. However, the models with a time lag had a worse fit than the models without it. This study promotes the application of population models that reflect intraspecific competition for modeling population dynamics in a single- or multi-species framework

Biohiilen raaka-aineet ja niiden saatavuus Lapissa : Raportti hankkeelle Biohiili ja synteettiset polttoaineet – uuden teollisen toiminnan mahdollistajat Lapissa

Tämä raportti on laadittu EU:n Oikeudenmukaisen siirtymän rahaston osittain rahoittamassa hankkeessa Biohiili ja synteettiset polttoaineet – uuden teollisen toiminnan mahdollistajat Lapissa. Hanke keskittyy biohiilen tuotannon ja synteettisten polttoaineiden valmistuksen potentiaalin selvittämiseen ja uusien liiketoimintamahdollisuuksien esille tuomiseen Lapissa. Projektin tavoitteena on tukea kestävää kehitystä ja ilmastonmuutoksen hillintää, samalla kun se luo uusia liiketoimintamahdollisuuksia Lapin alueelle. Tässä raportissa selvitetään mahdollisten biohiilen raaka-aineiden – metsähakkeen ja metsäteollisuuden sivuvirtojen – saatavuutta biohiilen raaka-aineiksi

Current policies for promoting neglected and underutilized crop species in Burkina Faso and Niger

Greater use of agrobiodiversity and especially neglected and underutilized species (NUS) like amaranth, Bambara groundnut, cassava, fabirama, okra, moringa, Guinea sorrel, or sweet potato can tackle climate change and food insecurity, and build food sovereignty. The role of NUS in policies and strategies in Burkina Faso and Niger has not been studied earlier. This study uses a mixed method where analysis of current policies, an online survey and workshops with stakeholders were combined. It gives an overview on policies on different sectors and helps to explore options for enhancing the efficiency of incentives aimed at promoting the use of NUS. The contribution of the policies and strategies (44 documents of the 96 identified) to the promotion of NUS and agrobiodiversity was analyzed. They generally recognize the importance of agroecological practices and biodiversity, and thus support the promotion of NUS. However, only 17 mention NUS specifically. Some texts refer to gender as a cross-cutting theme and recognize women’s primordial role in a better management of resources. Based on the findings, it is recommended to: (i) include NUS in sectoral policies; (ii) support the marketing and consumption; (iii) consider the best practices implemented in other countries to mainstream NUS in food systems

Impact of the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 on the EU wood-based bioeconomy

The EU Biodiversity Strategy (EUBDS) for 2030 aims to conserve and restore biodiversity by protecting large areas throughout the European Union. A target of the EUBDS is to protect 30 % of the EU’s land area by 2030, with 10 % being strictly protected (including all primary and old growth forests) and 20 % being managed ‘closer to nature’. Even though this will have a positive impact on biodiversity, it may negatively impact the EU’s wood-based bioeconomy. In this study, we analyze how alternative interpretations and distributions of the EU’s protection targets may affect future woody biomass harvest levels, exports of wood commodities, and the spatial distribution of managed areas under wood demands aligned with SSP2-RCP1.9. Using the  model GLOBIOM-Forest, we simulate scenarios representing a variety of interpretations and geographic distributions of the EUBDS targets. The EUBDS targets would have a limited impact on EU harvest levels since the EU can still increase its wood harvest between 21 % and 24 % by 2100. With strict protection of 30 % of the area, the EU harvest level can still be increased by 10 %. Moreover, the most likely scenario (10 %/20 % protection within each MS) will result in increased net exports in the coming decades, but a slight decline after 2050. However, if protection is intended to also represent site productivity or to re-establish a green infrastructure, then EU net exports will also decline before 2050. With the decreased EU roundwood harvest, increased harvest will occur in other biomes and mostly leaking into boreal regions