Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Continuous Cover Forestry in Finland – Recent Research Results

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Continuous Cover Forestry

Part of the book series: Managing Forest Ecosystems ((MAFE,volume 23))

Abstract

The current official silvicultural instructions of Finland recommend even-aged rotation forest management (RFM) combined with low thinning and artificial regeneration. However, the direction is gradually changing towards increasing freedom and flexibility in forest management. The first sign of a new silvicultural era was the gradual approval of high thinning, which is now accepted although it was strictly forbidden in the past. As a further step, uneven-aged management and other forms of continuous cover forestry (CCF) are now gaining popularity and acceptance. The harmful impacts of clear felling and plantation forestry on the recreational value and biodiversity of forests have been increasingly emphasized. In addition, encouraging results on the yield and profitability of CCF have been obtained recently. This chapter reviews those results. The review shows that CCF is often more profitable than even-aged management. The superiority of CCF increases if non-wood benefits are included in the analysis. The growth rates of most Finnish forests are too low to warrant the high stand establishment and management costs of even-aged plantation forestry. If the forest landowner wants to practice forestry that is profitable (without state subsidies) also with high discounting rates, on poor growing sites and in the northern parts of Finland, her only option is continuous cover management.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 189.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 279.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 279.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Andreassen K, Øyen B-H (2001) Economic consequences of three silvicultural methods in uneven-aged mature coastal spruce forests of central Norway. Forestry 75:483–488

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chang SJ (1981) Determination of the optimal growing stock and cutting cycle for an uneven-aged stand. Forest Sci 27(4):739–744

    Google Scholar 

  • Chang SJ, Gadow Kv (2010) Application of the generalized Faustmann model to uneven-aged forest management. J Forest Econ 16(2010):313–325

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Díaz-Balteiro L, Romero C (2003) Forest management optimisation models when carbon captured is considered: a goal programming approach. Forest Ecol Manage 174:447–457

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eerikäinen K, Miina J, Valkonen S (2007) Models for the regeneration establishment and the development of established seedlings in uneven-aged, Norway spruce dominated stands of southern Finland. Forest Ecol Manage 242:444–461

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haight RG (1985) A comparison of dynamic and static economic models of uneven-aged stand management. Forest Sci 31(4):957–974

    Google Scholar 

  • Haight RG, Monserud RA (1990a) Optimizing any-aged management of mixed-species stands: I. Performance of a coordinate search process. Can J Forest Res 20:15–25

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haight RG, Monserud RA (1990b) Optimizing any-aged management of mixed-species stands: II. Effect of decision criteria. Forest Sci 36(1):125–144

    Google Scholar 

  • Haight RG, Brodie JD, Adams DM (1985) Optimizing the sequence of diameter distributions and selection harvests for uneven-aged stand management. Forest Sci 31(2):451–462

    Google Scholar 

  • Hyvönen R, Olsson BA, Lundqvist H, Staaf H (2000) Decomposition and nutrient release from Picea abies (L.) Karst. and Pinus sylvestris L. logging residues. Forest Ecol Manage 126: 97–112

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hyytiäinen K, Tahvonen O (2003) Maximum sustained yield, forest rent of Faustmann: does it really matter? Scand J Forest Res 18:457–469

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johansson P (2008) Consequences of disturbance on epiphytic lichens in boreal and near boreal forests. Biol Conserv 141:1933–1944

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karjalainen T, Kellomäki S, Pussinen A (1994) Role of wood-based products in absorbing atmospheric carbon. Silva Fennica 28(2):67–80

    Google Scholar 

  • Keto-Tokoi P, Kuuluvainen T (2010) Suomalainen aarniometsä. Maahenki, Kariston kirjapaino, Hämeenlinna, 302 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Kolström T (1993) Modelling the development of an uneven-aged stand of Picea abies. Scand J Forest Res 8:373–383

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koskela E, Ollikainen M, Pukkala T (2007) Biodiversity conservation in commercial boreal forestry: optimal rotation age and volume of retention. Forest Sci 53(3):443–452

    Google Scholar 

  • Lähde E (1992a) Natural regeneration of all-sized spruce-dominated stands. In: Hagner M (ed) Silvicultural alternatives, Proceedings from an internordic workshop, June 22–25 1992. The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Silviculture, Reports 35, pp 111–116

    Google Scholar 

  • Lähde E (1992b) Natural regeneration of all-sized spruce-dominated stands treated by single tree selection. In: Hagner M (ed) Silvicultural alternatives, Proceedings from an internordic workshop, June 22–25 1992. The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Silviculture, Reports 35, pp 117–123

    Google Scholar 

  • Lähde E, Laiho O, Norokorpi Y, Saksa T (1991) The structure of advanced virgin forests in Finland. Scand J Forest Res 6:527–537

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lähde E, Laiho O, Norokorpi Y, Saksa T (1992a) Alternative silvicultural treatments as applied to advanced stands – research plan. In: Hagner M (ed) Silvicultural alternatives, Proceedings from an internordic workshop, June 22–25 1992. The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Silviculture, Reports 35, pp 66–73

    Google Scholar 

  • Lähde E, Laiho O, Norokorpi Y, Saksa T (1992b) Stand structure of thinning and mature conifer-dominated forests in boreal zone. In: Hagner M (ed) Silvicultural alternatives, Proceedings from an internordic workshop, June 22–25 1992. The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Silviculture, Reports 35, pp 58–65

    Google Scholar 

  • Lähde E, Laiho O, Norokorpi Y, Saksa T (1994a) Structure and yield of all-sized and even-sized conifer-dominated stands on fertile sites. Ann Sci Forestiéres 51(2):97–109

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lähde E, Laiho O, Norokorpi Y, Saksa T (1994b) Structure and yield of all-sized and even-sized Scots pine-dominated stands. Ann Sci Forestiéres 51(2):111–120

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lähde E, Laiho O, Norokorpi Y (1999a) Diversity-oriented silviculture in the Boreal Zone of Europe. Forest Ecol Manage 118:223–243

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lähde E, Laiho O, Norokorpi Y (1999b) Stand structure as the basis of diversity index. Forest Ecol Manage 115:213–220

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lähde E, Laiho, Norokorpi, Y (1999c) Ekometsänhoidon perusteet ja mallit. The Finnish Forest Research Institute. Research Notes 736: 1–61

    Google Scholar 

  • Lähde E, Laiho O, Norokorpi Y, Saksa T (2001) Structure transformation and volume increment in Norway spruce-dominated forests following contrasting silvicultural treatments. Forest Ecol Manage 151:133–138

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lähde E, Laiho O, Norokorpi Y, Saksa T (2002a) Development of Norway spruce dominated stands after single-tree selection and low thinning. Can J Forest Res 32:1577–1584

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lähde E, Eskelinen T, Väänänen A (2002b) Growth and diversity effects of silvicultural alternatives on an old-growth forest in Finland. Forestry 75:395–400

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lähde E, Laiho O, Norokorpi Y, Saksa T (2002c) Zuwachs von Fichte und Birke in gleich und ungleich strukturierten Beständen. Forst und Holz 57(15/16):481–485

    Google Scholar 

  • Liski J, Pussinen A, Pingoud K, Mäkipää R, Karjalainen T (2001) Which rotation length is favourable to carbon sequestration? Can J Forest Res 31:2004–2013

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miina J, Hotanen J-P, Salo K (2009) Modelling the abundance and temporal variation in the production of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) in Finnish mineral soil forests. Silva Fennica 43:577–593

    Google Scholar 

  • Miina J, Pukkala T, Hotanen J-P, Salo K (2010) Optimizing the joint production of timber and bilberries. Forest Ecol Manage 259:2065–2071

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pukkala T (2005) Metsikön tuottoarvon ennustemallit kivennäismaan männiköille, kuusikoille ja rauduskoivikoillle. Metsätieteen aikakauskirja 3(2005):311–322

    Google Scholar 

  • Pukkala T (2006) Optimising the semi-continuous cover forestry of Finland. Allgemaine Forst und Jagd Zeitung 1677:141–149

    Google Scholar 

  • Pukkala T (2009) Population-based methods in the optimization of stand management. Silva Fennica 43(2):261–274

    Google Scholar 

  • Pukkala T, Kolström T (1988) Simulating the development of Norway spruce stands using transition matrix. Forest Ecol Manage 25:255–267

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pukkala T, Lähde E, Laiho O (2009) Growth and yield models for uneven-sized forest stands in Finland. Forest Ecol Manage 258:207–216

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pukkala T, Lähde E, Laiho O (2010) Optimizing the structure and management of uneven-sized stands of Finland. Forestry 83:129–142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pukkala T, Lähde E, Laiho O (2011a) Metsän jatkuva kasvatus. Joen Forest Program Consulting, Joensuu, 229 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Pukkala T, Lähde E, Laiho O (2011b) Using optimization for fitting individual-tree growth models for uneven-aged stands. Eur J Forest Res 130: 829–839

    Google Scholar 

  • Pukkala T, Lähde E, Laiho O, Salo K, Hotanen J-P (2011c) A multifunctional comparison of even-aged and uneven-aged forest management in a boreal region. Can J Forest Res 41:851–862

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pukkala T, Lähde E, Laiho O (2011d) Variable-density thinning in uneven-aged forest management – a case for Norway spruce in Finland. Forestry DOI:10.1093/forestry/cpr020

  • Raatikainen M, Niemelä M (1983) Mustikan poimintatarkkuuden määrittäminen. University of Jyväskylä, Department of Biology. Res Notes 32:18–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Romero C, Rios V, Díaz-Balteiro L (1998) Optimal forest rotation age when carbon captured is considered: Theory and applications. J Oper Res Soc 49:121–131

    Google Scholar 

  • Rummukainen A, Alanne H, Mikkonen E (1995) Wood procurement in the pressure of change – resource evaluation model till year 2010. Acta Forestalia Fennica 248:98

    Google Scholar 

  • Saksa T, Lähde E, Laiho O, Norokorpi Y (2003) Entwicklung und Leistung von Beständen mit vorherrschender Fichte nach Niederdurchforstung und Einzelstamm-Auslese. Forst und Holz 58(8):220–222

    Google Scholar 

  • Schulte BJ, Buongiorno J, Skog K (1999) Optimizing uneven-aged management of loblolly pine stands. Proceedings of the Society of American Foresters. 1998 National Convention, Traverse City, Michigan, September 19–23, 1998, pp 306–318

    Google Scholar 

  • Siiskonen H (2007) The conflict between traditional and scientific forest management in 20th century Finland. Forest Ecol Manage 249:125–133

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Silvennoinen H, Alho J, Kolehmainen O, Pukkala T (2001) Prediction models of landscape preferences at the forest stand level. Landsc Urban Plann 56(1–2):11–20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tahvonen O (2009) Optimal choice between even- and uneven-aged forestry. Nat Resources Model 22:289–321

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tahvonen O, Pukkala T, Laiho O, Lähde E, Niinimäki S (2010) Optimal management of uneven-aged Norway spruce stands. Forest Ecol Manage 260:106–115

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • University of Helsinki (2010) Forest Research News 1/2010 (http://www.helsinki.fi/metsatieteet/laitos/ uutiskirjeet_pdf/2010_1_For_Res_News_Univ_Helsinki.pdf). 3 pp

  • Valkeapää A, Paloniemi R, Vainio A, Vehkalahti K, Helkama K, Karppinen H, Kuuluvainen J, Ojala A, Rantala T, Rekola M (2009) Suomen metsät ja metsäpolitiikka – kansalaisten näkemyksiä. University of Helsinki, Department of Forest Economics. Reports 55, 36 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Valkonen S, Sirén M, Piri T (2010) Poiminta- ja pienaukkohakkuut – vaihtoehtoja avohakkuulle. Metsäkustannus Oy, Tampere. 125 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Wikström P (2000) A solution method for uneven-aged management applied for Norway spruce. Forest Sci 46(3):452–463

    Google Scholar 

  • Wikström P (2001) Effect of decision variable definition and data aggregation on a search process applied to a single-tree simulator. Can J Forest Res 31:1057–1066

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Forest Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistokatu 7, 80100, Joensuu, Finland

    Timo Pukkala

  2. Vantaa Research Unit, The Finnish Forest Research Institute, 18, 01301, Vantaa, Finland

    Erkki Lähde

  3. Parkano Research Unit, The Finnish Forest Research Institute, 39700, Parkano, Finland

    Olavi Laiho

Authors
  1. Timo Pukkala
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Erkki Lähde
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Olavi Laiho
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Timo Pukkala .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Forestry Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistokatu 7, Joensuu, 80100, Finland

    Timo Pukkala

  2. Burckhardt-Institute, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ec, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Büsgenweg 5, Göttingen, 37077, Germany

    Klaus von Gadow

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Pukkala, T., Lähde, E., Laiho, O. (2012). Continuous Cover Forestry in Finland – Recent Research Results. In: Pukkala, T., von Gadow, K. (eds) Continuous Cover Forestry. Managing Forest Ecosystems, vol 23. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2202-6_3

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation