Choice of tree species in the aftermath of two major storms

The forests in Götaland, the most southern part of Sweden, are dominated by Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst). This species is very important for the Swedish forest sector, but also associated with certain risks, such as wind-throw. Götaland was hit by the storm Gudrun in 2005, causing damages of a magnitude never experienced in the modern Swedish history. Two years later the same region suffered severe damages in another storm, Per. Due to the ownership structure in southern Sweden the reforestation efforts after the storms were largely made by small-scale private forest owners. Disproportionally high losses of Norway spruce exposed the risks associated with previous practices. In addition, reforestation grants were available through the Swedish Forest Agency that compensated for the higher regeneration costs associated with broadleaves. Despite this, the vast majority of the storm felled areas were regenerated with Norway spruce. Through qualitative interviews and subsequent analysis, this study examined how small-scale private forest owners’ reasoned in their choice of species and which factors that were of decisive importance for the final outcome. Regeneration with Norway spruce was mainly an expression of forest owners evaluating the different alternatives based on economic rationality. Past and current economic conditions have been and still are favorable for this species, and forest owners therefore relayed on experiencebased knowledge in their reforestation decision. Meanwhile, there are other contextual factors that steered forest owners towards planting spruce, such as a high browsing pressure and influence from dominant forest management norms. Regeneration with other species reflects situations where forest owners incorporated other aspects in their decision-making processes. Regeneration with broadleaves was favored by consideration of aesthetical values and an awareness of potential future risks with Norway spruce. In addition, since large areas had to be regenerated, forest owners ceased the opportunity to vent their curiosity with new species (especially exotic conifers/broadleaves) on smaller areas. The soft policy instruments that characterize Swedish forest policy also had a facilitating effect. Forest owners received information about alternatives through various pathways and the reforestation grants were of crucial importance for the owners that planted broadleaves. This study also suggests that the higher share of naturally regenerated birch found in regenerations surveys after Gudrun cannot simply be regarded as an effect of lower level of ambition, but also expresses a shift towards a more positive attitude concerning this species.Skogen i Götaland, den sydligaste delen av Sverige, domineras av Gran (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst). Denna art är mycket viktig för svensk skogsindustrin, men kopplas också samman med vissa risker, såsom en högre risk för stormfällning. 2005 så drabbades Götaland av stormen Gudrun, som orsakade skador av en omfattning som aldrig tidigare upplevts i modern svensk historia. Två år senare så drabbades samma region av stormen Per. Ägandestrukturen i södra Sverige innebar att föryngringsbesluten efter stormarna i hög grad utfördes av småskaliga skogsägare. Disproportionellt stora skador på granskog visade på riskerna med tidigare skogsbruksmetoder, samtidigt som skogsstyrelsens återväxtstöd kompenserade för lövträdens högre föryngringskostnad. Trots detta föryngrades de stormfällda områdena i mycket stor utsträckning med gran. Med kvalitativa intervjuer och efterföljande analys undersöktes i denna studie hur privata skogsägare resonerade i sina föryngringsbeslut och vilka faktorer som var av avgörande betydelse för det slutgiltiga utfallet. Föryngring med gran var främst ett uttryck för skogsägare som värderade de olika alternativen utifrån ett ekonomiskt perspektiv. Förhållandena för ett graninriktat skogsbruk har varit stabilt gynnsamma under lång tid, vilket gjorde att skogsägare planterade arten grundat i en erfarenhetsbaserad kunskap. Samtidigt så är det andra kontextuella faktorer som styrt skogsägares trädslagsval mot gran, såsom ett högt betestryck och påverkan från normer i omgivningen. Föryngring med andra arter återspeglar situationer där skogsägare vägt in andra aspekter i beslutsprocessen. Föryngring med lövträd gynnades av beaktandet av estetiska värden och en medvetenhet om framtida risker förenande med gran. Eftersom stora områden skulle föryngras så tog skogsägare tillfället i akt att prova nya arter som de var nyfikna på (framförallt exotiska barrträd/lövträd). De mjuka styrinstrument som karaktäriserar svensk skogspolitik har också haft en positiv påverkan. Skogsägare fick på olika sätt information om alternativ och återväxtstödet var av avgörande betydelse för de som planterade lövträd. Enligt den här studien så kan den högre andelen av naturligt föryngrad björk i föryngringarna efter Gudrun inte endast förklaras av en lägre ambitionsnivå i föryngringsarbetet, utan ska också ses som ett uttryck för en utveckling mot en mer positiv inställning till björk

Mosstäcket ökar tillväxten hos Vaccinium myrtillus

Tillväxten i boreala skogsekosystem är kvävebegränsad. Tidigare studier har visat att mosstäcket i dessa ekosystem har en positiv inverkan på näringsstatus hos ljungväxter. Detta har förklarats med mosstäckets höga förmåga att ansamla näringsämnen och att ljungväxters ytliga rotsytem med erikoid mykorrhiza kan ackumulera organiska näringsämnen som frigörs från mosstäcket. Vi undersökte hur tillväxten hos Vaccinium myrtillus påverkas av ett mosstäcke dominerat av Pleurozium schreberi och hur tillväxten hos dessa arter påverkas av kvävetillförsel. Fältförsöket genomfördes 1998-2000 med följande behandlingar: kontroll, borttaget mosstäcke, intakt mosstäcke, borttaget mosstäcke +gödsel, intakt mosstäcke +gödsel. Kvävetillförseln motsvarade 10 kg N ha-1 år-1. För att bestämma tillväxten hos V. myrtillus insamlades årsskott där torrvikt, längd och bladantal bestämdes, för insamlade skott av P. schreberi bestämdes endast torrvikt. Ett intakt mosstäcke ökade tillväxten hos V. myrtillus då alla uppmätta variabler hos årsskotten påverkades positivt. Både V. myrtillus och P. schreberi ökade sin tillväxt vid kvävetillförsel, vilket visar på en kvävebegränsad tillväxt hos dessa arter. Det fanns ingen signifikant interaktion mellan mosstäckets och gödslingens positiva effekter på tillväxten hos V. myrtillus. Våra resultat tyder på att V. myrtillus, via sin erikoida mykorrhiza, har tillgång till näringsämnen som frigörs från mosstäcket.The growth in boreal forest ecosystem is nitrogen limited. Previous studies have shown that the moss layers in these ecosystems have a positive impact on the nutritional status of dwarf shrubs. This has been explained by the high bility of the moss layer to accumulate nutrients, and that dwarf shrubs shallow roots with ericoid mycorrhiza have the ability to utilize organic nutrients released from the moss layer. We examined how a moss layer dominated by Pleurozium schreberi affects the growth of Vaccinium myrtillus and how the growth of these species is affected by nitrogen supply. The field experiment was conducted 1998-2000 with the following treatments: control, removed moss layer, intact moss layer, removed moss layer+fertilization, intact moss layer+fertilization. The nitrogen supply corresponded to 10 kg N ha-1 yr-1. To determine the growth of V. myrtillus the annual shoots were collected and the dry weight, length and number of leaves was determined, while only the dry weight was determined for the shoots of P. schreberi. An intact moss layer increased the growth of V. myrtillus since all the measured variables of the annual shoots were positively affected. Both V. myrtillus and P. schreberi increased their growth due to the nitrogen addition, indicating a nitrogen-limited growth in these species. There was no significant interaction between the positive impacts of the moss layer and fertilization. Our results suggest that V. myrtillus, through its ericoid mycorrhiza, have access to nutrients released from the moss layer

Combining Climate Change Mitigation Scenarios with Current Forest Owner Behavior: A Scenario Study from a Region in Southern Sweden

This study investigates the need for change of current forest management approaches in a southern Swedish region within the context of future climate change mitigation through empirically derived projections, rather than forest management according to silvicultural guidelines. Scenarios indicate that climate change mitigation will increase global wood demand. This might call for adjustments of well-established management approaches. This study investigates to what extent increasing wood demands in three climate change mitigation scenarios can be satisfied with current forest management approaches of different intensities in a southern Swedish region. Forest management practices in Kronoberg County were mapped through interviews, statistics, and desk research and were translated into five different management strategies with different intensities regulating management at the property level. The consequences of current practices, as well as their intensification, were analyzed with the Heureka Planwise forest planning system in combination with a specially developed forest owner decision simulator. Projections were done over a 100-year period under three climate change mitigation scenarios developed with the Global Biosphere Management Model (GLOBIUM). Current management practices could meet scenario demands during the first 20 years. This was followed by a shortage of wood during two periods in all scenarios unless rotations were reduced. In a longer timeframe, the wood demands were projected to be easily satisfied in the less ambitious climate change mitigation scenarios. In contrast, the demand in the ambitious mitigation scenario could not be met with current management practices, not even if all owners managed their production forests at the intensive extreme of current management approaches. The climate change mitigation scenarios provide very different trajectories with respect to future drivers of forest management. Our results indicate that with less ambitious mitigation efforts, the relatively intensive practices in the study region can be softened while ambitious mitigation might push for further intensification

Knowledge co-production in the Helge å catchment: a comparative analysis

Addressing sustainability challenges in landscape management requires processes for co-producing usable knowledge together with those who will use that knowledge. Participatory futures methods are powerful tools for attaining such knowledge. The applications of such methods are diverse and understanding the intricacies of the knowledge co-production process is important to further develop these research practices. To improve participatory futures methods and contribute to systematic and critical reflections on methodology, we present a comparative analysis of four research projects that applied participatory futures methods in the same study area. Conducted between 2011 and 2020, these projects aimed to co-produce knowledge about the future provision of ecosystem services in the Helge å catchment area in southern Sweden. For structuring the post-hoc, self-reflexive analysis, we developed a framework dividing the knowledge co-production process into three dimensions: settings, synthesis and diffusion. We based the analysis on documentation from the projects, a two-step questionnaire to each research team, a workshop with co-authors and interviews with key participants. The comparison highlights steps in project decision-making, explicit and implicit assumptions in our respective approaches and how these assumptions informed process design in the projects. Our detailed description of the four knowledge co-production processes points to the importance of flexibility in research design, but also the necessity for researchers and other participants to adapt as the process unfolds

Forest biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and wood production: modeling synergies and trade-offs for ten forest landscapes across Europe

Original ResearchEurope’s forests provide vital habitat for biodiversity and essential ecosystem services whose provision must be sustained or enhanced over the coming century. However, the potential to secure or increase forest ecosystem services, while securing the habitat requirements of taxa remains unclear, especially within the context of uncertain climate and socio-economic developments. To tease out the associated trade-offs and synergies, we used 10 case study landscapes within nine countries throughout Europe. Starting with the current status of the forests in the case study landscapes, we simulated forest development 100 years into the future. Simulations were embedded in three combined climate and socio-economic frame scenarios based on global and European policies which varied in their climate change mitigation efficiency. Scenarios were translated into country specific projections of climate variables, and resultant demands for wood products. Forest management regimes were projected to vary in response to these scenarios at local scales. The specific combinations of alternative forest management practices were based on parallel research and input from local forest stakeholders. For each case study, a specific forest growth simulator was used. In general, the climate scenarios applied did not cause fundamentally different ecosystem service outputs at the case study level. Our results revealed almost no reduction in outcomes for biodiversity indicators with an increase in wood production, and in some cases synergistic results occurred when diversity was actively promoted as part of the management concept. Net carbon uptake was not strongly correlated with biodiversity, indicating that biodiversity-friendly forest management doesn’t need to curtail carbon sequestration. Notably, we obtained heterogeneous results for the relation between sustainable wood production and net carbon uptake. Most scenarios resulted in a more or less reduced net carbon uptake over the long term, often due to stand age class distribution shifts. Levels of sustainable wood production varied widely during the simulation period, from significant increases (Sweden, Lithuania) to minor changes (Slovakia, Turkey) and slight decreases (Ireland, Netherlands). We place our results within the larger context of European forest policy and the challenges of simulating and contrasting forest biodiversity and the ecosystem services that societies depend on outcomes for biodiversity indicators with an increase in wood production, and in some cases synergistic results occurred when diversity was actively promoted as part of the management concept. Net carbon uptake was not strongly correlated with biodiversity, indicating that biodiversity-friendly forest management doesn’t need to curtail carbon sequestration. Notably, we obtained heterogeneous results for the relation between sustainable wood production and net carbon uptake. Most scenarios resulted in a more or less reduced net carbon uptake over the long term, often due to stand age class distribution shifts. Levels of sustainable wood production varied widely during the simulation period, from significant increases (Sweden, Lithuania) to minor changes (Slovakia, Turkey) and slight decreases (Ireland, Netherlands). We place our results within the larger context of European forest policy and the challenges of simulating and contrasting forest biodiversity and the ecosystem services that societies depend oninfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Current versus alternative forest management practices in southern Sweden

Forest management in southern Sweden is facing numerous challenges spurring the need for change. Futures studies are instrumental for addressing such challenges. This thesis reports on futures studies investigating current practices and alternatives developed together with stakeholders. Current and alternative practices were investigated in projections under different climate change mitigation scenarios in Kronoberg County as a case. Reflecting the rivalling interests of stakeholders, the developed alternatives represent conflicting forest management pathways. The research shows that ambitious mitigation might push for further intensification to meet increasing demands. Together with the forest owner association Södra alternatives for increased production were investigated, such as exotic species, fertilization and spruce clones. At the same time, the biodiversity crisis calls for more diverse practices, and such alternatives (spruce-birch mixtures, oak and border zones) were explored in collaboration with the County Administrative Board (länsstyrelsen). The thesis also investigates drivers behind current practices as well as barriers and opportunities for change with help of qualitative research. The owner diversity is already today complicating advisors’ efforts with promoting the current production-orientated ideals and is a likely barrier to further intensification. The current lock-in to spruce dominated practices complicates diversification, which was manifested in the failure to promote diverse regenerations after the storm Gudrun. A substantial diversification towards other species will require a contextual setting that facilitates such a shift, including such factors as lesser browsing, better markets for alternative assortments and diverse advisory services

Knowledge co-production in the Helge a catchment : a comparative analysis

Addressing sustainability challenges in landscape management requires processes for co-producing usable knowledge together with those who will use that knowledge. Participatory futures methods are powerful tools for attaining such knowledge. The applications of such methods are diverse and understanding the intricacies of the knowledge co-production process is important to further develop these research practices. To improve participatory futures methods and contribute to systematic and critical reflections on methodology, we present a comparative analysis of four research projects that applied participatory futures methods in the same study area. Conducted between 2011 and 2020, these projects aimed to co-produce knowledge about the future provision of ecosystem services in the Helge a catchment area in southern Sweden. For structuring the post-hoc, self-reflexive analysis, we developed a framework dividing the knowledge co-production process into three dimensions: settings, synthesis and diffusion. We based the analysis on documentation from the projects, a two-step questionnaire to each research team, a workshop with co-authors and interviews with key participants. The comparison highlights steps in project decision-making, explicit and implicit assumptions in our respective approaches and how these assumptions informed process design in the projects. Our detailed description of the four knowledge co-production processes points to the importance of flexibility in research design, but also the necessity for researchers and other participants to adapt as the process unfolds

Keeping pace with forestry : Multi-scale conservation in a changing production forest matrix

The multi-scale approach to conserving forest biodiversity has been used in Sweden since the 1980s, a period defined by increased reserve area and conservation actions within production forests. However, two thousand forest-associated species remain on Sweden's red-list, and Sweden's 2020 goals for sustainable forests are not being met. We argue that ongoing changes in the production forest matrix require more consideration, and that multi-scale conservation must be adapted to, and integrated with, production forest development. To make this case, we summarize trends in habitat provision by Sweden's protected and production forests, and the variety of ways silviculture can affect biodiversity. We discuss how different forestry trajectories affect the type and extent of conservation approaches needed to secure biodiversity, and suggest leverage points for aiding the adoption of diversified silviculture. Sweden's long-term experience with multi-scale conservation and intensive forestry provides insights for other countries trying to conserve species within production landscapes

ZFP580 overexpression in H9c2 cells inhibited SI/R-induced apoptosis and caspase-3 activation.

<p>H9C2 cells were transfected with lentiviral vectors expressing full-length ZFP580 (lenti-ZFP580), siRNA directed against ZFP580 (lenti-siRNA) or negative control (lenti-NC) for 72 hours, then underwent SI/R. (A–C): Western blot analysis revealed significant effects of ZFP580 overexpression on cleavage of caspase-3. H9c2 cells (1×10⁶) were collected and stained with Annexin V-PE/7-AAD, and quantified by flow cytometry. (D) Dot plots showing Annexin-V-PE/7-AAD staining of H9c2 cells examined by flow cytometry. (E) Percentage of apoptotic cells as measured by Annexin-V staining in each of the indicated treatments. Three experiments were performed for each group and each experiment was replicated twice. Values are presented as mean ± SEM. *p<0.05 vs. NC.</p