Cost–Benefit Analysis of Measures to Reduce Windstorm Impact in Pure Norway Spruce (<i>Picea abies</i> L. Karst.) Stands in Latvia
Wind is one of the major natural forest disturbances in Europe, and reduces the total economic (including carbon sequestration) value of forests. The aim of this study was to assess the financial benefit of silvicultural measures in young, pure, planted Norway spruce stands by reduction in the impac...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-05-01
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| Series: | Forests |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/11/5/576 |
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| author | Valters Samariks Oskars Krisans Janis Donis Ilze Silamikele Juris Katrevics Aris Jansons |
| author_facet | Valters Samariks Oskars Krisans Janis Donis Ilze Silamikele Juris Katrevics Aris Jansons |
| author_sort | Valters Samariks |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Wind is one of the major natural forest disturbances in Europe, and reduces the total economic (including carbon sequestration) value of forests. The aim of this study was to assess the financial benefit of silvicultural measures in young, pure, planted Norway spruce stands by reduction in the impact of wind damage over the rotation period. The analyzed measures are promptly applied precommercial thinning and low-density planting with improved plant material. Spatial information on factors affecting wind damage—wind climate and soil—were gathered and combined with the local growth model and empirical data from tree pulling experiments in Latvia to assess the economic value loss due to wind damage over a rotation period. Timely precommercial thinning and lower-density planting with improved plant material would ensure a positive net present value with an interest rate of 3%, using conservative estimates. The financial benefit is highest in windier (coastal) regions and for the planting, followed by moderate thinning. The results demonstrate that, even without changing the dominant tree species, a considerable reduction in wind-damage risk can be achieved. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T19:40:52Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a6d84017f7e24288a5c5a04dc811f1c9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1999-4907 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T19:40:52Z |
| publishDate | 2020-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Forests |
| spelling | doaj.art-a6d84017f7e24288a5c5a04dc811f1c92023-11-20T01:14:19ZengMDPI AGForests1999-49072020-05-0111557610.3390/f11050576Cost–Benefit Analysis of Measures to Reduce Windstorm Impact in Pure Norway Spruce (<i>Picea abies</i> L. Karst.) Stands in LatviaValters Samariks0Oskars Krisans1Janis Donis2Ilze Silamikele3Juris Katrevics4Aris Jansons5Latvian State Forest Research Institute ‘Silava’, Rigas 111, LV-2169 Salaspils, LatviaLatvian State Forest Research Institute ‘Silava’, Rigas 111, LV-2169 Salaspils, LatviaLatvian State Forest Research Institute ‘Silava’, Rigas 111, LV-2169 Salaspils, LatviaMinistry of Agriculture Republic of Latvia, Republikas 2, LV-1981 Riga, LatviaLatvian State Forest Research Institute ‘Silava’, Rigas 111, LV-2169 Salaspils, LatviaLatvian State Forest Research Institute ‘Silava’, Rigas 111, LV-2169 Salaspils, LatviaWind is one of the major natural forest disturbances in Europe, and reduces the total economic (including carbon sequestration) value of forests. The aim of this study was to assess the financial benefit of silvicultural measures in young, pure, planted Norway spruce stands by reduction in the impact of wind damage over the rotation period. The analyzed measures are promptly applied precommercial thinning and low-density planting with improved plant material. Spatial information on factors affecting wind damage—wind climate and soil—were gathered and combined with the local growth model and empirical data from tree pulling experiments in Latvia to assess the economic value loss due to wind damage over a rotation period. Timely precommercial thinning and lower-density planting with improved plant material would ensure a positive net present value with an interest rate of 3%, using conservative estimates. The financial benefit is highest in windier (coastal) regions and for the planting, followed by moderate thinning. The results demonstrate that, even without changing the dominant tree species, a considerable reduction in wind-damage risk can be achieved.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/11/5/576sparse standprecommercial thinningyoung standswind damagenatural disturbance |
| spellingShingle | Valters Samariks Oskars Krisans Janis Donis Ilze Silamikele Juris Katrevics Aris Jansons Cost–Benefit Analysis of Measures to Reduce Windstorm Impact in Pure Norway Spruce (<i>Picea abies</i> L. Karst.) Stands in Latvia Forests sparse stand precommercial thinning young stands wind damage natural disturbance |
| title | Cost–Benefit Analysis of Measures to Reduce Windstorm Impact in Pure Norway Spruce (<i>Picea abies</i> L. Karst.) Stands in Latvia |
| title_full | Cost–Benefit Analysis of Measures to Reduce Windstorm Impact in Pure Norway Spruce (<i>Picea abies</i> L. Karst.) Stands in Latvia |
| title_fullStr | Cost–Benefit Analysis of Measures to Reduce Windstorm Impact in Pure Norway Spruce (<i>Picea abies</i> L. Karst.) Stands in Latvia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cost–Benefit Analysis of Measures to Reduce Windstorm Impact in Pure Norway Spruce (<i>Picea abies</i> L. Karst.) Stands in Latvia |
| title_short | Cost–Benefit Analysis of Measures to Reduce Windstorm Impact in Pure Norway Spruce (<i>Picea abies</i> L. Karst.) Stands in Latvia |
| title_sort | cost benefit analysis of measures to reduce windstorm impact in pure norway spruce i picea abies i l karst stands in latvia |
| topic | sparse stand precommercial thinning young stands wind damage natural disturbance |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/11/5/576 |
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