Article
Forestry
Tahti Pohjanmies, Anni Jaskova, Juha-Pekka Hotanen, Outi Manninen, Maija Salemaa, Anne Tolvanen, Paivi Merila
Summary: Boreal forests in Finland are rich in non-timber forest products, with approximately 200 wild plant species documented for their nutritional uses. This study analyzed the richness and abundance of edible wild plants in Finnish forests and found that habitat characteristics, such as site fertility and stand density, are key determinants of overall edible plant provisioning. The effects of stand characteristics and management on edible plant richness and abundance may be complex, and further analysis at the species level is needed to understand how to support edible plant provisioning in managed forests.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hans Henniger, Friedrich J. Bohn, Kim Schmidt, Andreas Huth
Summary: To understand the dynamics of forests in today's changing environmental conditions, it is crucial to analyze their state at large scales. Forest inventories are not available for all regions, so additional methods such as remote sensing observations are important. This study combines the radiative transfer model mScope and the forest model FORMIND to generate reflectance spectra for forests, allowing for the consideration of species diversity at different heights. The results show good correlations between the generated reflectances and measured values, opening up possibilities for analyzing forest reflectance and understanding forest conditions.
Article
Agronomy
Aurelio D. Herraiz, Pablo Cesar Salazar-Zarzosa, Francisco Javier Mesas, Salvador Arenas-Castro, Paloma Ruiz-Benito, Rafael Villar
Summary: The objective of this study is to understand the carbon storage and forest productivity of Mediterranean forests using remote and in field-based variables, and to predict future trends. The results show that aridity is a key factor determining the carbon storage and productivity of Mediterranean forests, and that future increases in aridity under climate change scenarios could significantly reduce their carbon sink role.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST METEOROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Zhao-Lei Qu, Minna Santalahti, Kajar Koster, Frank Berninger, Jukka Pumpanen, Jussi Heinonsalo, Hui Sun
Summary: The study re-analyzed the fungal community composition in three Scots pine-dominated forests in Finland and found distinct fungal community structures and functional differences between the southern and two northern boreal forests. Specifically, the southern boreal forest had more saprotrophs, endophytes, and fungal parasite-lichen, while the northern boreal forests had a greater abundance of ectomycorrhizal fungi. Additionally, pathotrophs and wood saprotrophs were common in all three regions.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Meri Raty, Larisa Sogacheva, Helmi-Marja Keskinen, Veli-Matti Kerminen, Tuomo Nieminen, Tuukka Petaja, Ekaterina Ezhova, Markku Kulmala
Summary: Boreal forests in the Northern Hemisphere have a complex interaction with the atmosphere, including a feedback process that may produce a cooling effect through increased cloud reflectance due to aerosol-cloud interactions. This study investigates the impact of the boreal forest environment on cloud-related properties during the growing season. Results show that air masses with longer exposure to the forest have different properties compared to those with shorter land transport times. The study also reveals changes in cloud condensation nuclei concentrations, specific humidity, and precipitation frequency after a certain threshold of land transport time.
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Tuomas Aakala, Niko Kulha, Timo Kuuluvainen
Summary: Through describing and analyzing the spatial patterns of forest structure and species compositions in 1920s Finland, it is evident that human activities have a significant impact on forest characteristics, including factors such as population density and land use. The human fingerprints can still be observed in the forest landscapes of Finland, which requires attention in terms of management and restoration.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zoe Amie Pierrat, Jacob Bortnik, Bruce Johnson, Alan Barr, Troy Magney, David R. Bowling, Nicholas Parazoo, Christian Frankenberg, Ulli Seibt, Jochen Stutz
Summary: Remote sensing is a powerful tool for understanding and quantifying plant carbon uptake via photosynthesis and gross primary productivity (GPP), but there are challenges in connecting remote sensing measurements to GPP. In this study, we improve GPP prediction by using random forest models that incorporate solar-induced fluorescence (SIF) and vegetation indices (VIs), resulting in improved ability to quantify terrestrial carbon exchange in boreal ecosystems.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Helena M. Henttonen, Pekka Nojd, Harri Makinen
Summary: After a period of increasing trend, the annual volume growth of forests in Finland has recently decreased. Environmental variation, rather than changes in growing stock, is found to be the main factor affecting forest growth. Different tree species show similar growth patterns in different regions, and recent years have not been favorable for Scots pine.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Adrian Pascual, Juan Guerra-Hernandez
Summary: Comparing ALS time-series is crucial for landscape conservation planning, especially in monitoring forest ecosystems. Modellers need to consider phenology when comparing ALS-based maps of ground elevation or canopy height between different years. This study demonstrates the comparison of two ALS surveys conducted in a National Park in Northwest Spain, using the same algorithms for data interpretation and generating digital terrain models and canopy height models. A hybrid approach was implemented to correct discrepancies caused by differences in phenology or scaling, reducing uncertainty and providing a solid evaluation of emerging problems in multi-temporal ALS surveys.
ECOLOGICAL INFORMATICS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anna M. Stefanowicz, Pawel Kapusta, Malgorzata Stanek, Kaja Rola, Szymon Zubek
Summary: This study compared the effects of herbaceous plant species on soil physicochemical and microbial properties in forest ecosystems, and found that herbaceous plants have a significant impact on soil microbial communities, but have less influence on soil chemical properties.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Jonathan Lenoir, Eva Gril, Sylvie Durrieu, Helene Horen, Marianne Laslier, Jonas J. Lembrechts, Florian Zellweger, Samuel Alleaume, Boris Brasseur, Jerome Buridant, Karun Dayal, Pieter De Frenne, Emilie Gallet-Moron, Ronan Marrec, Camille Meeussen, Duccio Rocchini, Koenraad Van Meerbeek, Guillaume Decocq
Summary: Understanding time-lag dynamics in biodiversity response to contemporary environmental changes requires considering past human activities. This is particularly important in European temperate forests, where legacies from past land uses can confound the effects of recent macro-environmental changes. By using LiDAR technology, we can uncover the impacts of past land uses and management practices, helping to explain biotic responses to long-term environmental changes.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
A. Begemann, C. Dolriis, G. Winkel
Summary: Investment products and regulations on sustainable finance are increasing globally, but the relationship between finance and sustainable forests has not been extensively studied. This paper analyzes the expert debate between the financial and forest sectors and identifies five main narratives regarding the nexus between sustainable finance and forests. The narratives differ in their emphasis on risks versus opportunities, preference for public versus private governance and investments, and the sustainability of forest-related investments. The paper concludes that more cross-sectoral dialogue and research are needed to critically assess and advance the role of sustainable finance in supporting forest conservation and management.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Johan A. Eckdahl, Pere Casal Rodriguez, Jeppe A. Kristensen, Daniel B. Metcalfe, Karl Ljung
Summary: Approximately 40% of carbon in the earth's land vegetation and soil is stored in the boreal region. Pyrogenic carbon (PyC), known as fire-altered carbon, plays a significant role in forest ecosystem functioning and contributes to the carbon transport to sediments. This study found an average increase of black carbon (BC), a subset of PyC, in Swedish wildfires in 2018, but was unable to determine the drivers of its production and transport. Mineral soils are suggested to serve as an important storage pool for BC and can buffer short and long-term BC cycling.
GLOBAL BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Petri R. Forsstrom, Jussi Juola, Miina Rautiainen
Summary: This study analyzed the spectral reflectance factors and fractional covers of understory vegetation in different forest stands in a southern boreal forest area in Finland. The results showed specific spectral features of the understory related to site fertility type and fractional cover. The findings suggest that remote sensing can differentiate forest site fertility types and estimate understory green fractional cover in northern European boreal forests.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST METEOROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Matthias Peichl, Eduardo Martinez-Garcia, Johan E. S. Fransson, Jorgen Wallerman, Hjalmar Laudon, Tomas Lundmark, Mats B. Nilsson
Summary: This study investigates the variations of annual net ecosystem production (NEP) in a managed boreal forest landscape in northern Sweden using extensive biometric and chamber-based carbon flux data. The results highlight the role of net primary production in regulating the spatio-temporal variations of NEP in the managed boreal forest landscape. Additionally, divergent successional patterns of NEP were observed in the managed forests compared to naturally regenerating boreal forests.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Kasper Kansanen, Petteri Packalen, Matti Maltamo, Lauri Mehtatalo
Summary: This study introduces an estimator for population totals in forest surveys based on circular plot sampling, using distance-based detection probabilities derived from stochastic geometry. The estimator is shown to be unbiased for Poisson forests and provides variance estimates and approximate confidence intervals, with simulation results demonstrating lower error values compared to existing methods.
Article
Forestry
Roope Ruotsalainen, Timo Pukkala, Annika Kangas, Mari Myllymaki, Petteri Packalen
Summary: The study found that increasing carbon prices and reducing error levels led to decreased losses in NPV. Inclusion of carbon payments in maximizing NPV reduced the impact of errors on losses, indicating that the value of collecting more accurate forest inventory data may decrease as carbon prices rise.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FOREST RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Diogo N. Cosenza, Lauri Korhonen, Matti Maltamo, Petteri Packalen, Jacob L. Strunk, Erik Naesset, Terje Gobakken, Paula Soares, Margarida Tome
Summary: In this study, the performances of OLS, kNN, and RF in forest yield modeling were compared, revealing that OLS and RF had similar and higher accuracies compared to kNN. Variable selection did not significantly impact RF performance, while heuristic and exhaustive selection methods had similar effects on OLS. Caution is advised when building kNN models for volume prediction, with a preference for OLS with variable selection or RF with all variables included.
Review
Forestry
M. Maltamo, P. Packalen, A. Kangas
Summary: Forest management inventories provide critical information for forest management planning at the stand level. The use of wall-to-wall remote-sensing data has enabled a paradigm shift from subjective visual assessments to model-based inferences. While advances in optical and Lidar-based sensors have improved accuracy in forest attribute estimation, challenges remain in obtaining species-specific stand attribute information and assessing tree quality in mixed stands.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FOREST RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Roope Ruotsalainen, Timo Pukkala, Annika Kangas, Petteri Packalen
Summary: Errors in forest stand attributes, particularly in mean diameter, can lead to greater inoptimality losses in forest management objectives. Avoiding large errors in basal area and mean diameter is crucial, especially in stands with high basal area.
ANNALS OF FOREST SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Syed Adnan, Matti Maltamo, Lauri Mehtatalo, Rhei N. L. Ammaturo, Petteri Packalen, Ruben Valbuena
Summary: This study introduces a new mathematical approach by using the Gini coefficient to replace the traditional FHD method in describing the vertical complexity of LiDAR height profiles, with extensions to higher-dimensional variables. The research found differences in the accuracy of LiDAR models in different forest structural types, with implications for estimating forest aboveground biomass.
REMOTE SENSING OF ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Blanca Sanz, Jukka Malinen, Sanna Sirparanta, Jussi Peuhkurinen, Vesa Leppanen, Timo Melkas, Kirsi Riekki, Tuomo Kauranne, Mikko Vastaranta, Timo Tokola
Summary: The presented methodology aims to improve efficiency in timber markets by assessing the value of harvestable timber stands and timber assortments through alternate approaches using various data sources. Evaluation of timber value and assortment distributions through different bucking scenarios can help in identifying valuable stands and optimizing logging recoveries.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Janne Raty, Petri Varvia, Lauri Korhonen, Pekka Savolainen, Matti Maltamo, Petteri Packalen
Summary: This study compared single-photon and linear-mode airborne LiDAR for predicting species-specific volumes in forests, and found that the linear-mode Riegl VQ-1560i performed the best.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON GEOSCIENCE AND REMOTE SENSING
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Arun Gyawali, Mika Aalto, Jussi Peuhkurinen, Maria Villikka, Tapio Ranta
Summary: Estimating tree height in young forests using remote sensing methods such as LiDAR and DAP is a viable alternative to traditional field measurement approaches, with acceptable error and comparable accuracy.
Article
Forestry
Petteri Packalen, Jacob Strunk, Matti Maltamo, Mari Myllymaki
Summary: In airborne laser scanning (ALS)-based forest inventories, there is often a discrepancy between the circular plot shape used for model fitting and the square shape of population elements used for predictions. This study found that for equal area square and circular plots, there was no evidence of systematic prediction error when a model fitted to one shape was used to predict for the other shape. However, using a model fitted to circular plots to predict for square plots slightly underestimated the root mean square error (RMSE) value.
Article
Forestry
Roope Ruotsalainen, Timo Pukkala, Veli-Pekka Ikonen, Petteri Packalen, Heli Peltola
Summary: This study aimed to reduce the risk of wind damage in forested landscapes by utilizing stand neighbourhood information and terrain elevation information. The results showed that minimizing the differences in canopy height between adjacent stands resulted in homogeneous landscapes and continuous cover management was economically beneficial. The best weighting scheme for calculating the mean canopy height difference between adjacent stands was the deviation between the mean elevation of the boundary and the mean elevation of the terrain within 100 m of the boundary.
Article
Remote Sensing
Fangting Chen, Zhengyang Hou, Svetlana Saarela, Ronald E. McRoberts, Goran Stahl, Annika Kangas, Petteri Packalen, Bo Li, Qing Xu
Summary: Remote sensing has improved forest inventory by using model-based inference to estimate parameters of interest from fine to coarse spatial resolution, facilitating decision making for natural resource management.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED EARTH OBSERVATION AND GEOINFORMATION
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Mari Myllymaki, Sakari Tuominen, Mikko Kuronen, Petteri Packalen, Annika Kangas
Summary: This study investigates the value of metrics computed from tree locations and tree sizes for characterizing the structural naturalness of forests. The study finds that forests evaluated as structurally natural have larger variations in tree size and species composition, as well as a more clustered spatial pattern of trees. However, the link between the inspected metrics and naturalness evaluated in the field is weak.
Article
Environmental Sciences
J. Kostensalo, L. Mehtatalo, S. Tuominen, P. Packalen, M. Myllymaki
Summary: This study developed a framework for building structurally representative tree maps using airborne laser scanning data and ground measurements, which can accurately map the attributes of forests. Compared to other methods, this approach improves the accuracy of mapping forest attributes.
REMOTE SENSING OF ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Mikko Kukkonen, Eetu Kotivuori, Matti Maltamo, Lauri Korhonen, Petteri Packalen
Summary: The study proposes a method for predicting tree volumes by species using photogrammetric UAS data and Sentinel-2 images, fitted with models based on airborne laser scanning data. The approach shows promise for species-specific small area forest management inventories in Finland and similar forest conditions where suitable field plots are available.
Article
Forestry
Sadadi Ojoatre, Jos Barlow, Suzanne R. Jacobs, Mariana C. Rufino
Summary: This study evaluates the changes in a forest complex in Kenya and finds that within 20 years of disturbance, there is rapid recovery of aboveground biomass and carbon accumulation, and the species diversity remains high in these previously disturbed fragments.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Astor Torano Caicoya, Peter Biber, Miren del Rio, Ricardo Ruiz-Peinado, Catia Arcangeli, Robert Matthews, Hans Pretzsch
Summary: This study analyzed the effects of site and climate on the self-thinning line in Scots pine forests in Europe. The results showed that species tolerance, temperature, and precipitation influenced the slope of the self-thinning line. In terms of the intercept, latitude and radiation had compensating effects. Time did not show significant trends in the self-thinning line. The study highlights the need to adapt management strategies and models based on self-thinning to different latitudes. Climate change has not yet significantly impacted the self-thinning trajectory, but a continuous rise in temperature and high precipitation may accelerate the self-thinning process and result in increased biomass accumulation.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Haonan Zhang, Jianing Xu, Weiqi Meng, Zhonglin Li, Yanyan Ni, Weijie Li, Hao Chen, Xingshuo Zhang, Huanhuan Yuan, Zhi Wang
Summary: Secondary forests play a crucial role in ecosystem dynamics and biodiversity recovery. This study investigated the mechanisms underlying secondary succession in a restored secondary forest and found that deciduous tree species transition from diversity accumulators to repellents as they progress through different life history stages, while evergreen tree species can act as accumulators or remain neutral. The study also revealed the effects of density dependence on the mortality and regeneration of different tree species, and highlighted the importance of early-arriving tree species in facilitating the establishment and diversity of late-arriving counterparts.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Yierxiati Abulaiti, Zijian Huang, Guojiao Xie, Xiaojuan Zou, Qin Luo, Minhuang Wang, Qiong Yang, Ping Hu, Shixiao Yu
Summary: In this study, the resistance to pest infestation of native and exotic mangrove species was compared based on their traits and spectral reflectance. The results showed that exotic species exhibited higher resistance to pest infestation compared to native species.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Thomas Feiss, Vincent Robin, Delphine Aran, Joseph Levillain, Thierry Paul, Jean-Luc Dupouey
Summary: Fagus sylvatica L. is a competitive tree in European temperate deciduous forests, but often sporadic or absent in present-day stands where Quercus spp. are dominant. Through soil charcoal analysis in the Lorraine Plateau in France, the presence of Fagus and Quercus in mature Quercus stands was confirmed. Radiocarbon dating results indicated that historical forest management caused the replacement of Fagus by Quercus, starting from the Bronze Age.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Paula Halbig, Anne-Sophie Stelzer, Peter Baier, Josef Pennerstorfer, Horst Delb, Axel Schopf
Summary: The incidence of oak processionary moth in Central Europe has been increasing, posing severe threats to oak trees, humans, and animals. To address this issue, researchers have developed an online early warning system that provides phenological forecasts and decision support for the protection of oak trees and human health.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Jean-Baptiste Ndamiyehe Ncutirakiza, Sylvie Gourlet-Fleury, Philippe Lejeune, Xavier Bry, Catherine Trottier, Frederic Mortier, Adeline Fayolle, Francois Muhashy Habiyaremye, Leopold Ndjele Mianda-Bungi, Gauthier Ligot
Summary: This study examines the influence of canopy structure on tropical tree growth using data collected through unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and field measurements. The results show that combining UAV and field data can improve the prediction of tree diameter increment. Diameter at breast height and crown area are complementary predictors, and crown-based competition indices significantly enhance prediction models. The calibrated model at one site can accurately predict growth at another site.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Abebe Damtew, Emiru Birhane, Christian Messier, Alain Paquette, Bart Muys
Summary: Restoring degraded dryland requires a diverse mixture of trees and shrubs. Shading and species diversity can improve seedling survival and vitality. Shaded conditions led to higher seedling survival, vitality, and chlorophyll content, while increasing species richness improved seedling vitality in non-shaded conditions.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Francois Hebert, Isabelle Delisle, Marc Tremblay, Pascal Tremblay, Jean- Francois Boucher, Yan Boucher, Daniel Lord
Summary: Regeneration failures in the closed-crown boreal forest, resulting in the creation of open lichen woodlands, can be restored through clear-cutting, scarification, and natural seeding. Clear-cutting combined with scarification promotes seedling establishment, and scarification creates suitable microsites for germination. Seedling growth in lichen woodlands is higher when logging and scarification are combined, but lower compared to feather moss stands. Afforestation through natural seeding following scarification could be a cost-effective option for restoring lichen woodlands.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Bianca Wulansari Kassun, A. Maarit I. Kallio, Erik Tr Omborg, Meley Mekonen Rannestad
Summary: Mapping and analyzing forest ecosystem services in dry and mountain forests can provide valuable knowledge for sustainable forest management strategies.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Michael Premer, Eric Turnblom, Aaron Weiskittel
Summary: Managed forests serve as a natural climate change solution by sequestering carbon and storing it in harvested wood products, while also providing ecosystem services and wildlife habitat. This study focused on the stem sinuosity of juvenile coastal Douglas-fir and found that genetic improvement, silviculture practices, and local growing conditions can impact stem sinuosity. Factors such as tree spacing, vegetation control, and climate variables also affect the severity of stem sinuosity.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Bronwyn Lira Dyson, Rhea Herpel, Peter Karasch, Jorg Mueller, Dominik Thom, Claus Baessler
Summary: The study aimed to assess the effects of different forest management strategies, dead wood types, and microclimates on Fomes fomentarius. The results showed that the occupancy of Fomes fomentarius was lower in control stands, while the percent cover occupied on snags under a closed canopy was higher. Increasing the number of snags and maintaining dense forest canopies could enhance the presence of Fomes fomentarius as well as provide important microhabitats for various arthropods.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Di Liu, Chaofan Zhou, Xiao He, Xiangdong Lei, Huiru Zhang, Xianzhao Liu
Summary: Canopy structure plays a significant role in the distribution and growth of saplings. Traditional canopy metrics are inadequate in irregular stands. The innovative framework of canopy triangular units provides a comprehensive understanding of the canopy's three-dimensional attributes. Through this framework, we can analyze the differences in various triangular unit types and the spatial dispersion of saplings.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Amalia Valeria Ibanez Moro, Fabian Borghetti, Leonardo Galetto, Juan M. Cellini, Sandra J. Bravo
Summary: This study evaluated the size and persistence of soil seed banks (SSB) of six native woody species in dry subtropical forests of the western Argentine Chaco region. The results showed that SSB size was influenced by different sites and sampling years, and forest disturbances had varying effects on SSB.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Stephanie Landry, Marc-Andre Villard, Gaetan Pelletier, Martin-Hugues St-Laurent
Summary: In many regions of the world, excessive browsing by ungulates has reached unsustainable levels, threatening biodiversity and forest regeneration. Moose, as ecological engineers, have severe impacts on forest structure and composition through overbrowsing. The distribution of forage and cover patches affects moose browsing pressure, and this relationship has been explored in conifer-dominated stands but not in hardwood-dominated landscapes.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)