Christoph Fischer

Overview of methods and tools for evaluating future woody biomass availability in European countries

Key messageThis analysis of the tools and methods currently in use for reporting woody biomass availability in 21 European countries has shown that most countries use, or are developing, National Forest Inventory-oriented models whereas the others use standwise forest inventory--oriented methods.ContextKnowledge of realistic and sustainable wood availability in Europe is highly relevant to define climate change mitigation strategies at national and European level, to support the development of realistic targets for increased use of renewable energy sources and of industry wood. Future scenarios at European level highlight a deficit of domestic wood supply compared to wood consumption, and some European countries state they are harvesting above the increment.AimsSeveral country-level studies on wood availability have been performed for international reporting. However, it remains essential to improve the knowledge on the projection methods used across Europe to better evaluate forecasts.MethodsAnalysis was based on descriptions supplied by the national correspondentsinvolved in USEWOOD COST Action (FP1001), and further enriched with additionaldata from international reports that allowedcharacterisation of the forests in these countries for the same base year.ResultsMethods currently used for projecting wood availability were described for 21 European countries. Projection systems based on National Forest Inventory (NFI) data prevail over methods based on forest management plans. Only a few countries lack nationwide projection tools, still using tools developed for specific areas.ConclusionsA wide range of NFI-based systems for projecting wood availability exists, being under permanent improvement. The validation of projection forecasts and the inclusion of climate sensitive growth models into these tools are common aims for most countries. Cooperation among countries would result in higher efficiency when developing and improving projection tools and better comparability among them.

Conflict situations and response strategies in urban forests in Switzerland

Currently the number of conflicts between forest users is increasing due to new and growing societal demands for forest recreation in addition to the traditional forest function of wood production. Outdoor sports and forest education programmes are adding to the demands on forest use. Even between recreational users there is conflict, e.g. between bikers and hikers. These two causes of conflict are expected to become more acute in the future, which poses new challenges to both forest policy-makers and forest managers. Therefore, analyzing the dynamics and mechanisms of forest recreation governance is crucial to better address societal demands, to maintain or enhance the provision of different forest services, and to manage forest conflicts. This paper analyses forest conflicts that can be traced back to the increasing demand for forest recreation using the Institutional Analysis and Development Framework. The paper focuses on conflicts in urban forests using four case studies from Switzerland. The paper argues that a better understanding of forest recreation governance may improve the management and planning of forest recreation in agglomerations by reducing conflict situations and identifying response strategies. Finally, the findings presented may help to achieve a more cross-sectoral and multi-level approach in forest recreation governance.

Stem quality assessment in European National Forest Inventories: an opportunity for harmonised reporting?

Key messageThe potential of European National Forest Inventories to harmonise stem quality estimation in European forests was identified despite considerable differences in existing national approaches.ContextKnowledge on stem quality and assortments structure in European forests is highly important for policy makers and the timber industry and also for carbon life cycle analysis due to the fact that different timber products have different end use and thus store carbon for different time periods.AimsThe study aim was to evaluate the potential of European National Forest Inventories (NFI) to objectively report on the stem quality in European forests in a harmonised manner.MethodsA comprehensive questionnaire was conducted as the first important step to evaluate the current status of stem quality assessment and assess the existing level of harmonisation.ResultsDirect stem quality assessment or classification is used in 19 out of 28 European NFIs. Only eight countries provide timber assortment estimates from their NFIs. In addition, different sampling strategies for stem quality assessment are used among NFIs. Tree parameters relevant for stem quality assessment on standing trees were identified for the purpose of harmonisation. Several methods towards harmonisation between European NFIs for the purpose of reporting on stem quality of European forests were suggested.ConclusionCurrent European NFIs are not capable of reporting the stem quality of European forests in a harmonised manner at this stage and considerable efforts will need to be taken before the harmonised stem quality estimation can be prepared. However, the inquiry also revealed that there is a potential to develop the harmonised estimations in future.

A Spatially Explicit Method to Assess the Economic Suitability of a Forest Road Network for Timber Harvest in Steep Terrain

Despite relatively high road density in the forests of Switzerland, a large percentage of that road network does not fulfill best practice requirements. Before upgrading or rebuilding the road network, harvesting planners must first determine which areas have insufficient access. Traditional assessment methods tend to only report specific values such as road density. However, those values do not identify the exact parcels or areas that are inaccessible. Here, we present a model that assesses the economic suitability of each timbered parcel for wood-harvesting operations, including tree-felling and processing, and off- and on-road transport (hauling), based on the existing road network. The entire wood supply chain from forest (standing trees) to a virtual pile at the border of the planning unit was captured. This method was particularly designed for steep terrain and was tested in the Canton of Grisons in Switzerland. Compared with classical approaches, such as the road density concept, which only deliver average values, this new method enables planners to assess the development of a road network in a spatially explicit manner and to easily identify the reason and the location of shortcomings in the road network. Moreover, while other related spatially explicit approaches focus only on harvesting operations, the assessment method proposed here also includes limitations (road standards) of the road network.

Zustand und Entwicklung siedlungsnaher Wälder – Ergebnisse aus dem LFI

Zustand und Entwicklung siedlungsnaher Walder – Ergebnisse aus dem LFI Das Landesforstinventar (LFI) berichtet seit mehr als 30 Jahren uber Zustand und Entwicklung des Schweizer Waldes und dessen Leistungen, hier erstmals zum Thema «urbaner Wald». Dazu werden die Walder in den Schweizer Tieflagen betrachtet, weil sich hier die grossen Ballungsraume befinden. Mangels Definitionen in der Literatur wurde der Wald anhand der Wohnungsdichte im Umkreis der LFI-Probeflachen in siedlungsnahe (urbane) und siedlungsferne Walder unterteilt. Mithilfe von Indikatoren wurden diese miteinander verglichen, um folgende Fragen zu beantworten: 1) Wie verbreitet sind siedlungsnahe Walder? 2) Wie unterscheiden sich siedlungsnahe und siedlungsferne Walder? 3) Ist Potenzial fur Nutzungskonflikte vorhanden? 4) Welche Entwicklungen in Bezug auf das Waldgefallen waren in den letzten 20 Jahren zu beobachten? 29% des Waldes in Tieflagen sind siedlungsnah. In funf von zehn Indikatoren zur Naturausstattung unterscheiden sich siedlungs...

Der Datensatz «Walderschliessungsstrassen 2013» des Schweizerischen Landesforstinventars

Der Datensatz «Walderschliessungsstrassen 2013» des Schweizerischen Landesforstinventars Informationen uber die Erschliessung des Waldes bilden eine bedeutende Grundlage fur die Waldbewirtschaftung. Sie dienen beispielsweise dazu, das Holznutzungspotenzial abzuschatzen oder Gebiete mit unzureichender Erschliessung zu ermitteln. Im Rahmen des Schweizerischen Landesforstinventars (LFI) wurde in den Jahren 2013/2014 der Geodatensatz der Walderschliessungsstrassen landesweit auf den neuesten Stand gebracht. Damit liegt eine wertvolle Datengrundlage vor, die flachendeckend die holzabfuhrrelevanten, mit Lastwagen befahrbaren Strassen im Wald beinhaltet. Die Daten wurden mithilfe einer Umfrage bei den rund 800 Revierforstern mittels Kartierung auf Papier und anschliessender Digitalisierung erhoben. Dabei wurden einerseits die Informationen zu den Waldstrassen der LFI-Zeitreihe aktualisiert, andererseits wurden zusatzliche Merkmale bezuglich Befahrbarkeit praxisnah anhand von Lastwagenkategorien erfasst. Die Info...

Comparison of Wood Resource Assessment in National Forest Inventories

The collection of information on the approaches of wood resources assessment was essential to provide background details necessary to meet the objectives of COST Action Usewood. This chapter describes the processes that were used by COST Action Usewood to review the wood resource assessment methods used in NFI’s and gives an insight into the differences and similarities of definitions and methods applied by European NFIs. To address the specific objectives of COST Action Usewood, the activities of WG1 were organised into four sub-groups that would comprehensively describe the assessment of wood resources. The four sub-groups dealt with the topics of; Forest Available for Wood Supply, Stem Quality, Change Estimation and Other Wooded Land and Trees Outside Forest. The information provided through questionnaires and country reports provided the raw materials required to understand the differences between the definitions and components that make up the definitions that are applied nationally by the various NFIs. Results from the four sub-groups are presented outlining the diversity and similarities among the assessment of wood resources between countries.