Finished Projects

Multifunctional Evaluation of Agrofrestry systems

Different types of Agroforestry systems and their effects on Ecology and Economy are analyzed in this project. Systems including broadleaved tree species for valuable wood production, combined with agricultural use and biomass production are investigated on demonstration plots.

Work package 1: production of tree biomass in a short rotation system
Biomass-production with tree-species as a special use of the agricultural stripes (stripes in between the lines of high-quality-trees) are analyzed. Advantages and disadvantages concerning the economics and the nutrient cycling are investigated and compared with traditional agricultural land use. For measuring the nutrient fluxes soil and extracted wood are sampled. Besides the effect on soil fertility, the potential of short rotation sites as carbon sink are examined.

Work package 2: High-Quality-Timber-Production”
The production of high-quality timber within an Agroforestry system is analyzed as an important added value. For high-quality timber production pruning is essential. Pruning of different hardwood species and it´s effect on growth and quality is analyzed. Furthermore, nutrient removal and the potential of the high-quality- trees for carbon sequestration is investigated.

Agroforestry systems are ecologically valuable. Hence, possible contributions to nature protection reduced erosion ecological compensation measures are investigated.

Project webpage

ValWood - innovative sustainable Land Use

The project „ValWood“ is a Sino-German cooperation project which is funded by the Fedral Ministery of Education and Research. The aims of the proposed project are the development of an innovative sustainable land use concept adapted to the specific conditions of China and Germany, which is an alternative to the active afforestation, reforestation and landscape restoration of formerly agricultural land, secondary and degraded forest land. The Institute for forest growth will develop concepts for low-risk and cost efficient stand establish¬ment and stand management as well as a growth model for the production of valuable timber and dendro-biomass. The production of the dendro-biomass is made by the cultivation of fast growing tree species with short rotation. A three-dimensional quantification of the stand is made by terrestrial laser scanner. Emphasis thereby is the development of new methods for the description and quantification of spatial structures in the forest and the efficient determination of the dendro-biomass based on terrestrial laserscanner data.

Project webpage

Branch development and natural pruning of pedunculate oak and European beech in dependency on diameter growth

Branch development and natural pruning processes are controlled by several factors as site and light conditions, nutrient allocation processes and competition between neighbouring trees. One key-question of the production of valuable wood is how diameter growth and branch development as well as natural pruning processes are related to each other. Another question is the role of the autecological characteristic of a tree species in those processes. Therefore, this study does not only aim for the development of allometric relationships between certain branch characteristics and/ or stem development, it also aims to contrast two tree species, namely oak (Quercus spp.) and beech (Fagus sylvatica), with differing light requirements concerning their branch development and natural pruning processes as well as differences in their growth dynamics.

Natural dynamics in subalpine forests

In alpine regions, spruce-dominated subalpine forests fulfil important protection functions against avalanches and other natural hazards. Since many decades there is a high effort to actively maintain these protection forests. Of particular concern are open forest structures near the timberline with a insufficient ability to prevent avalanche releases and uniform, dense forests in the self-thinning stage. In this research project we focus on these two critical forest types in order to answer the following questions: (1) How do develop open subalpine forest structures with an insufficient protective effect against avalanches over time? (2) How fast and on which spatial scale develop dense, uniform forest structures without human intervention? (3) How are these processes influenced by different site conditions? .
To address these questions we work with inventory time series as well as with dendroecoloy. We use data from three periods of the Swiss forest inventory (LFI 1983-85, 1993-95 and 2004-06) to examine the natural dynamics of such subalpine, spruce dominated forests in the self-thinning phase. Therefore we identify unmanaged forest areas related to our research questions and analyse them with GIS and multivariate statistical methods .We complement these analysis by additionally exclude circa 20 plots over the Swiss Alps, where we sample and dendroecologically analyse tree cores in order to reconstruct stand history, age structure, and forest development. The same method will be used in similar plots in the Bulgarian Alps for comparing two different ecosystems with similar conditions and tree species. Our results will provide decision support and will help to set priorities in the management of protection forests on a wider base of knowledge.

EFORWOOD

EFORWOOD is a project within the 7th framework of the European Union, dealing with the Forest-Wood chain. The aim of the project is to provide methodologies and tools that will,for the first time, integrate Sustainability Impact Assessment of the whole European Forestry-Wood Chain (FWC), by quantifying performance of FWC, using indicators for all three pillars of sustainability; environmental, economic and societal. Further Informations

Agroforestry

Within the agroforst project – funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (funding number: 0330621) – a combination of agricultural and forestal management concepts is examined. The production of valuable timber will be combined with energy wood production, agriculture and grass land and the impact of these land uses on the landscape aesthetics and nature production will be evaluated. Project homepage

Forestry programmes aiming at the improvement of the hunting habitat of bats

Within the project, measures of maintaining and creating bat habitats in forests with the help of three-dimensional data describing forest structure and the bats’ hunting behaviour. The project is supported by Deutschen Bundesstiftung Umwelt.
 

Controlling the crown development, natural pruning and stem development of oak (Quercus spec.), European beech (Fagus sylvatica (L.)), ash (Fraxinus excelsior (L.)), maple (Acer spec.) and cherry (Prunus avium (L.))

Broadleaf species contribute to the establishment of ecologically diverse and site adapted forests with high value production and low economic risks. The dynamics of crown expansion and natural pruning is analysed as an effect of competition. Various forms of stand establishment are analysed while paying special attention to natural regeneration and regeneration in small gaps . Past and present competition conditions are analysed and their effects on crown and stem development are investigated. Special emphasis is given to natural pruning and stem form. Growth models will be developed as tools to estimate wood volume depending on competition history. The natural variability of growth parameters with respect to ring width and ring structure will be analysed. The results will be summarized in computer-supported decision tools for controlling diameter growth and natural pruning. The models will also be used in mixed forests, and they will allow foresters to make choices about the duration of the production period and to consider initial conditions, as well as special restriction.
 

The management of valuable broadleaf forests in Europe

This project was launched by the European Forest Institute (EFI) to conduct research on growth, stability and value production of valuable broadleaf-mixed stands (ash, maple, alder, cherry, mixed with other species). The aim of the project is to evaluate the importance of these broadleaf species, to analyse existing management models in Europe and, based on these results, to develop a production model which is, on one hand based on the existing starting conditions and on the other hand the aim of the manager. Such an innovative controlling model has to fulfill the information needs with respect to cost efficiency of stand regeneration, tending, thinning and pruning by concentrating the input soley on the future value producers. The project is mainly oriented towards the needs of practical forestry and is providing forest enterprises with readily available decision tools for controlling the growth of individual trees in mixed forests.
 

The effects of accelerated growth on forest management in Europe

Accelerated growth, as well as higher level ofstanding wood volume in European forests require changes in the forest management. The aim of the joint research project is a description of the history and the actual situation of the European forests, and the development of management strategies for improving the sustainable management under changing conditions by describing scenarios for forest development under various management strategies and by evaluating the advantages, costs, and risks involved in applying the different managemenet strategies.
 

The basis and development of growth models for the transformation and increase in value of fir, spruce and beech stands

This research is conducted within the BMBF project "future-oriented forest management" for the area "Southern Black Forest". The research is focussed on the question of transformation of single layered, pure spruce, fir or beech stands into well structured mixed stands as for example selection forests. The quantification of the growth responses of trees of different dimensions to large changes in competition is the main point of focus. The development of value in the transformation phase will be answered by describing the self pruning and growth processes of the tree. Retrospective analysis of the reaction of trees of different dimensions, which have experienced changes in competition (as mentioned above) will be used to derive models. The competition state of the dominant trees at the time of intervention is created by the reconstruction of crown and stem parameters of the investigated trees. The results will serve to provide practical decision making tools for the forest manager for the transformation phase.

BMBF project "future-oriented forest management"

Strategy and technology development for a sustainable wood and cork forestry chain (SUBERWOOD)

The objectives of the project are the following:

1) To maintain the socio-economic and physical sustainability of the cork oak system and to increase its competitiveness as an integrated natural system with a more efficient use of renewable resources, by improving the technology of their use and by the adoption of novel management tools.

2) to bring into the European market another wood species for high value uses. The project will develop a growth and yield model for cork oak growth (wood and cork). The simulation of different options in a wood+cork forestry chain will be made and evaluated for socio-economic impacts and sustainability. The relevant technological properties of cork oak wood will be studied with an industrial testing in saw-mills, veneer cutting and panel production as well as its use in resin-assembled wood components.

Subsequent inventory of forests at the National Park Berchtesgaden

Based on an inventory in 1983/84 the permanent sample network was re-measured during the period 1994 - 1999 in order to obtain information on the development of the forests within the National Park Berchtesgaden. The subsequent inventory was carried out, using the angle-counting method (as in the first inventory), as well as using a method of concentric circles (method applied by the Bavarian State Forest Administration). Therefore, it was possible to compare the first and the second inventory as well as to compare the results with other areas of Bavaria. It also allowed a comparison between the two methods. In addition to estimated standing volume and volume growth, additional parameters like dead wood, bushes, damage caused by farm animals and wild animals and by mass tourism, as well as data of biotopes were collected. The inventory data are used for stratifying the forests and for the development of a forest management plan.

Growth aspects of selective cutting in European beech stands

The sudden release of a stand by the selective cutting of individual trees results in a significant change in the growing conditions for the remaining trees. These trees are at an advanced stage in the development of the stand. The project investigates growth reactions and effects on the vitality of trees with different individual characteristics. Special emphasis was given to the differences in the social classes. The growth reactions together with a qualitative description of a red core of beech was the modelling base for economic results of the social classes.

Controlling the growth of silver fir and Norway spruce by using the relative crown length as a management tool

The concept of close-to-nature forestry and changing conditions of forestry require the application of new cutting and tending strategies. Two examples of this are selective cutting and the activities required for transforming an even-aged, single story pure stand into an unevenaged multi story mexed stand. The relative crown length has proved to be a key parameter for judging former spacing history and future growth potential of conifers in various studies. For silver fir and Norway spruce at the Black Forest a decision tool to control growth by using relative crown length has been developed. The decision tool provides the following information:

1. the required relative crown length in order to achieve a specific diameter increment

2. the required activities to allow the desirable development of the crown in horizontal and vertical direction

The question of CONversion of pure secondary Norway spruce FORESTs on sites naturally dominated by broadleaves for sustainable fulfilment of society's needs (RPC-CONFOREST)

During a meeting, which was held in Freiburg on 01 and 02 December 2000, leading forestry institutions in Europe formed a research initiative dealing with the conversion of secondary Norway spruce forests (Picea abies [L.] Karst.). This network functioned as a Regional Project Centre (RPC) under the auspices of the European Forest Institute (EFI), which has initiated several RPCs investigating various fields of forest research in Europe. In 2003 the RPC-CONFOREST was concluded by an international conference, where the results of the initiative were presented (cf. Hansen et al. 2004). In total, 14 full member institutions representing 12 European countries and researchers from another 21 research organisations co-operated in this network.

The goal of the RPC-CONFOREST was to combine experience from various conversion projects in numerous European countries. Coordination of analysis, facilitating the exchange of experience, aggregation of scientifically sound information, and subsequent analysis / evaluation in the field of Norway spruce conversion has improved research efficiency (e.g. by avoiding duplication of work) and research quality. The RPC-CONFOREST served as the basis to assess the various impacts of conversion efforts on the national and European level and constituted a dedicated European network of research.

The research activities of the RPC-CONFOREST were carried out in a total of eight working groups that focused on certain areas related to the RPC subject. By this approach of subdivision, the RPC-CONFOREST ensured that - beside ecological issues - silvicultural, operational, economic and political aspects of conversion were also investigated with identical priority. The deciding body of the RPC-CONFOREST was the board, which was headed by the chairman, Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. H. Spiecker (Institute for Forest Growth) and supported by the coordinator (Dr. Jörg Hansen, Institute for Forest Growth).

The RPC-CONFOREST was designed for a lifespan of three years. At the turn of the year 2003/2004, the RPC-CONFOREST was replaced by the new Project Centre ConForest. The results of the network’s first term have been published as Research Report 18 of the European Forest Institute:

Spiecker, H., Hansen, J., Klimo, E., Skovsgaard, J.P., Sterba, H. & Teuffel, K. von (eds.) (2004): Norway spruce Conversion - Options and Consequences. EFI Research Report 18. Leiden, Boston: S. Brill: X + 269 pp.
 

Future crop tree control methods

The management of multi-species mixed forests as well as futrue crop tree-oriented selective thinning and early tending, is quantitatively described in the new management guidelines. An operational silviculture has been developed which allows an objective-oriented controlling of tree growth. The future crop tree controlling methods describe the controlling need, the controlling success, the needed production period, the expected cutting volume (species, diameter, number of trees) and the degree of close-to-nature management in the sense of site-adapted species competition and production risks. The method can be used at any time by any person. The computer programme "Z-Baum" allows standlevel inventory and evaluation as well as an overview on the estate level. It does not require a minimum size of an estate, it is a powerful tool for actual decisions as well as for medium- and long-term planning and therefore for sustainable value production. The method is now used for collecting addtional experience in forest enterprises.

 

Growth of old European beech stands

The growth potential of beech stands at higher ages is underestimated in traditional yield tables. This project analyses the growth behaviour of old beech stands on the basis of various long-term permanent plots in the Swabian Alb. Volume and diameter growth of old beech in former times is analysed and possible changes in growth level and their possible causes are investigated. In addition, the material is used to investigate the distribution of total growth in relation to individual trees and groups of trees in order to broaden the knowledge of the possibilities to control beech stand development, allowing special consideration to value production.