Johan Bergh

Climatic factors controlling the productivity of Norway spruce: A model-based analysis

The process-based growth model, BIOMASS, was modified to incorporate low-temperature effects on photosynthetic production in Norway spruce (Picea abies) stands growing in northern Sweden. The low-temperature features incorporated in BIOMASS made it possible to simulate and estimate the reduction in photosynthetic rates caused by boreal conditions. The following four simulation-scenarios were used: (i) ‘potential’ photosynthesis without boreal restrictions; (ii) reduction caused by a frozen soil; (iii) reduction caused by incomplete recovery of photosynthetic capacity during spring as a result of damage caused by low winter temperatures; and (iv) reduction as an effect of frost-induced autumn decline. Annual photosynthetic production (or gross primary production (GPP)) was simulated for three calendar years, 1990‐1992, for stands with low (control) and high (irrigated and fertilized) nutrient availability. The reduction of ‘potential’ GPP, caused by the lowtemperature effects, ranged from 35‐44% for control (C) and from 34‐42% for irrigated-fertilised (IL) stands, respectively. The most pronounced loss of ‘potential’ GPP originated from reduced photosynthetic capacity, in spring and early summer, which led to losses of 21‐28% for C and 19‐26% for IL stands. The variation between years differed mainly as an effect of differences in spring temperatures, which resulted in different rates of recovery of photosynthetic capacity. Reductions caused by frozen soil and low photosynthetic capacity during winter were similar in C and IL stands (12‐13%), as were the losses resulting from severe autumn frosts (3‐4%). It is concluded that, unless the effects of frozen soils and reduced photosynthetic capacity during spring and early summer are considered, large errors (ca. 40%) will be introduced into estimates of the annual photosynthetic production of boreal conifer forests. # 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.

Modelling the short-term effects of climate change on the productivity of selected tree species in Nordic countries

A boreal version of the process-based simulation model, BIOMASS, was used to quantify the effect of increased temperature and CO2-concentrations on net primary production (NPP). Simulations were performed for both coniferous (Pinus sylvestris, Picea abies) and deciduous broad-leaves stands (Fagus sylvatica, Populus trichocarpa), growing in different Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden), representing a climatic gradient from a continental climate in Finland and Sweden to a maritime in Denmark, Norway and Iceland. Simulations with elevated temperature increased NPP by ca. 5–27% for the coniferous stands, being less for a Scots pine stand growing in a maritime climate (Norway) compared with a continental (central Sweden, eastern Finland). The increase in NPP could largely be ascribed to the earlier start of the growing season and more rapid recovery of the winter-damaged photosynthetic apparatus, but temperature-driven increases in respiration reduced carbon gain. The effect of elevated temperature on NPP was similar in the P. trichocarpa stand on Iceland, mainly caused by an earlier budbreak and a more rapid leaf development in spring. Increased temperature reduced, however, NPP for the F. sylvatica stand in Denmark, since elevated temperature had no effect on budbreak but increased the water deficit and water demand during the summer and lowered photosynthesis. Increased CO2-concentrations had an additional effect on NPP by 25–40% for the conifers and beech, which originated from increased photosynthesis, through enhanced carboxylation efficiency in summer and improved water use efficiency (beech). The effect of elevated CO2 on NPP was somewhat less for the P. trichocarpa by 13%. # 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Seasonal variation of maximum photochemical efficiency in boreal Norway spruce stands

Abstract The seasonal variation in maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) and the relationship between Fv/Fm and climatic factors such as irradiance, frost-nights and daily mean temperature was studied in young Norway spruce trees for 4 years in northern Sweden. As a result of night frost, the Fv/Fm-ratio gradually decreased during the autumn. There was between-year variation in the pattern of Fv/Fm in fully exposed shoots during autumn and spring, largely as an effect of differing temperature conditions. During spring, there was a strong apparent relationship between daily mean temperature and Fv/Fm within the temperature range –3 to 12°C. The light regime to which the needles were exposed during winter affected Fv/Fm, and moderately shaded shoots from the bottom of the canopy generally had a higher Fv/Fm-ratio than fully exposed shoots from the top of the canopy.

Replacing monocultures with mixed-species stands: Ecosystem service implications of two production forest alternatives in Sweden

Whereas there is evidence that mixed-species approaches to production forestry in general can provide positive outcomes relative to monocultures, it is less clear to what extent multiple benefits can be derived from specific mixed-species alternatives. To provide such insights requires evaluations of an encompassing suite of ecosystem services, biodiversity, and forest management considerations provided by specific mixtures and monocultures within a region. Here, we conduct such an assessment in Sweden by contrasting even-aged Norway spruce (Piceaabies)-dominated stands, with mixed-species stands of spruce and birch (Betula pendula or B. pubescens), or spruce and Scots pine (Pinussylvestris). By synthesizing the available evidence, we identify positive outcomes from mixtures including increased biodiversity, water quality, esthetic and recreational values, as well as reduced stand vulnerability to pest and pathogen damage. However, some uncertainties and risks were projected to increase, highlighting the importance of conducting comprehensive interdisciplinary evaluations when assessing the pros and cons of mixtures.

Production of Picea abies in South-east Norway in Response to Climate Change: A Case Study Using Process-based Model Simulation with Field Validation

A process-based model was used to simulate biomass production of Norway spruce under both current climate and climate change scenarios. The model was parameterized for Nordmoen in south-east Norway using real climate data for the period 1987-1989. The model was applied to predict the biomass production responses to three climate change scenarios. The results showed that net primary production (NPP) increased by 7% under an elevated annual mean air temperature of 4°C from the current 10.1 t dry mass ha -1 yr -1 . A doubled current ambient CO 2 concentration significantly increased NPP by 36%. The scenario of both elevated temperature and elevated CO 2 concentration led to an increase in the NPP of 49%, higher than the sum of the two effects acting singly. The results also showed that forest production responses to climate change depend on the conditions of climate used for reference.

Socio-ecological implications of modifying rotation lengths in forestry

The rotation length is a key component of even-aged forest management systems. Using Fennoscandian forestry as a case, we review the socio-ecological implications of modifying rotation lengths relative to current practice by evaluating effects on a range of ecosystem services and on biodiversity conservation. The effects of shortening rotations on provisioning services are expected to be mostly negative to neutral (e.g. production of wood, bilberries, reindeer forage), while those of extending rotations would be more varied. Shortening rotations may help limit damage by some of today’s major damaging agents (e.g. root rot, cambium-feeding insects), but may also increase other damage types (e.g. regeneration pests) and impede climate mitigation. Supporting (water, soil nutrients) and cultural (aesthetics, cultural heritage) ecosystem services would generally be affected negatively by shortened rotations and positively by extended rotations, as would most biodiversity indicators. Several effect modifiers, such as changes to thinning regimes, could alter these patterns.

Fertilization in northern forests - biological, economic and environmental constraints and possibilities

Forests of northern ecosystems respond slowly to management activities and the possibilities to increase the growth in a short-term perspective and meet swift increases in societys demand for biomass are small. An exception among the silvicultural measures is fertilization which can be applied in combination with present management systems and, almost instantly, enhances forest productivity. There may, however, be both economic and environmental constraints to large-scale applications of fertilizers in forest. Here we review the literature concerning biomass production of forests under different fertilization regimens, environmental constraints and possibilities in northern forests on mineral soils. Further on we discuss the implications of both extensive and more intensive fertilization in relation to the developing bioeconomy, which encompasses the production and conversion of renewable biological resources into food, health and industrial products and energy. Fertilization in Sweden and Finland is currently practiced by extensive fertilization regimens where nitrogen fertilizers are applied once, or up to three times, during a rotation period, mainly in mature forest. This type of fertilization gives, in most cases, a small and transient effect on the environment as well as a high rate of return to the forest owner with low-economic risk. The increase in biomass production, however, is relatively small and consequently the impact on the processing industry and the bioeconomy is limited. More intensive fertilization regimens implying intensive fertilization starting in young forests may, on the other hand, considerably increase the biomass supply and value for the industry. The economic and environmental risks of this type of fertilization may, however, be larger and more research is needed on the effects on the stand level, and especially on the landscape level, including late rotation management of the forest.

Comparison of carbon balances between continuous-cover and clear-cut forestry in Sweden

Continuous-cover forestry (CCF) has been recognized for the production of multiple ecosystem services, and is seen as an alternative to clear-cut forestry (CF). Despite the increasing interest, it is still not well described how CCF would affect the carbon balance and the resulting climate benefit from the forest in relation to CF. This study compares carbon balances of CF and CCF, applied as two alternative land-use strategies for a heterogeneous Norway spruce (Picea abies) stand. We use a set of models to analyze the long-term effects of different forest management and wood use strategies in Sweden on carbon dioxide emissions and carbon stock changes. The results show that biomass growth and yield is more important than the choice of silvicultural system per se. When comparing CF and CCF assuming similar growth, extraction and product use, only minor differences in long-term climate benefit were found between the two principally different silvicultural systems.

Decreased variation of forest understory vegetation is an effect of fertilisation in young stands of Picea abies

Abstract The substitution of fossil fuels with biofuels to mitigate climate change has caused increased interest in enhancing forest biomass production through fertilisation. We investigated the effects of different fertilisation frequencies on the diversity of understory vegetation in young stands of Picea abies on five sites distributed in regions in the middle and south of Sweden. The treatments included fertilisation conducted annually, every second year or every third year, as well as an unfertilised control. A lower number of vascular plant species was observed on fertilised plots than on control plots, whereas the number of bryophyte species remained unchanged. Fertilised plots also showed a lower variance in species composition and a lower Shannons diversity index than unfertilised plots. Fertilised plots were more similar to each other than unfertilised plots were to each other over the geographical range. The two most intensive fertilisation treatments had similar effects on the vegetation, whereas the effects of fertilisation conducted every third year were not as substantial. However, the treatment in which fertilisation occurred every third year implies a lower stem-wood production, and there is little knowledge of the long-term differences between the treatments. We conclude that fertilisation of young stands will lead to long-term changes in understory vegetation at the stand scale, whereas the effects at the landscape level are still largely unknown.

Nitrogen leaching and ectomycorrhizal nitrogen retention capacity in a Norway spruce forest fertilized with nitrogen and phosphorus

AimsTo estimate the production of external ectomycorrhizal mycelia (EMM) in Norway spruce forests with varying nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) levels, and to relate this to the N retention capacity of ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) and N leaching.MethodsSeasonal changes in EMF production (in ingrowth mesh bags) and soil water N (in suction lysimeters) were analyzed after fertilization with N or N combined with P. The EMF N retention capacity was estimated by the addition of isotopically labeled N to the mesh bags.ResultsNo relationship was found between the seasonal variation in EMF growth and N leakage from the soil. However, in the mesh bags, the total assimilation of 15N by EMF was almost halved by N fertilization, while twice as much 15N leached through.ConclusionsWe found a high specific N assimilation capacity per unit weight of EMF mycelia. This was unaffected by N fertilization, but the total assimilation of N by EMF was drastically reduced due to reduced production of EMM. However, N-retaining processes other than N assimilation by EMF must be taken into account to explain the losses of N after fertilization.