Forest Policy and Economics | 2019
Financial incentives to perform stump treatment against Heterobasidion root rot in Norway spruce dominated forests, the case of Finland
Abstract
Abstract The financial incentives to perform stump treatment against root and butt rot caused by fungal agent Heterobasidion annosum were analyzed by simulating multiple scenarios of primary and secondary infection rates in southern and central Finland. Forest dynamics of two Norway spruce (Picea abies) dominated stands were simulated with MOTTI and Hmodel models. The results suggest stump treatment to be profitable in relatively healthy stands with high spore pressure for primary infections throughout the current risk zone for Heterobasidion in Finland. In addition, stump treatment quality has a significant effect on the profitability together with the price paid for decayed timber. For example, good quality treatment with lowest prices created a better economic outcome in many scenarios compared to inadequate quality treatment with the highest prices. To achieve the best economic outcome from stump treatment measures, monitoring systems are needed to predict spatiotemporal infection risks and the highest quality stump treatment should be applied.