Pekka Ollonqvist

Networks and Local Mileus as a Furniture Industry Innovation Platform

Innovation is increasingly recognised as a key factor in environmental protection and sustainable development in forestry and forest-based industries. This volume provides a comprehensive theoretic ...

Role of Policies and National Programmes on Innovations in Timber-frame Construction

The market share of timber frame construction has increased in many European countries after the revision of national building regulations, implementation of national development programs as well a ...

Changes in Wood Resources in Europe with Emphasis on Germany

For centuries, forests in many parts of Europe have been affected by forest devastation and soil degradation. Applying great efforts to eliminate the severe wood shortage of those days, successful countermeasures have been taken during the last 150 years in the form of regenerating and tending highly productive forests. The net annual increment has exceeded fellings to a significant degree for many years.Forest inventory data show an increase in the growing stock in European forests to alevel never recorded before. Species composition and age structure have been modifiedby silvicultural practices and cutting regimes as a result of changing economic, ecological and social conditions. Moreover, recent investigations on forest growth have shown that the productivity of forests in Europe has increased considerably during past decades. The increase in roundwood production and average growing stock on many forest sites has been accompanied by loss of biodiversity, a shift to non-site adapted tree species, and an increase in risks related to storms, snow, ice and drought. Some of these hazards have been further intensified by the growing average stand age as well as air pollution. It is a great political challenge to reduce these economic, social and ecological risks through adequate management regimes to ensure sustainable forestry.