Norway Spruce Conversion

Up to the end of the 19th century, many European forests suffered from devastation and soil deterioration, which caused fears of timber shortage. In order to counteract this possible shortage, many forest areas were reforested with coniferous tree species, especially Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst). Consequently, coniferous forests (often Norway spruce forests), consisting of trees of the same age, were established on many sites naturally dominated by broadleaves. As a result, damages caused by storm, snow, ice, drought, insects, fungi and possibly soil degradation seemed to occur more frequently in these secondary Norway spruce forests than in forests consisting of species better adapted to the ambient conditions. Conversion of Norway spruce stands may reduce these risks and upgrade biodiversity and the genetic potential of forests. As the economic results of forestry, future wood markets and various other goods and services that are provided to society by forest ecosystems, are affected by present and future decision-making, all aspects of conversion must be well understood.EFI's Regional Project Centre, CONFOREST, is continuously striving to improve implementation of conversion projects by consolidation of the expertise available in all forestry disciplines. This book comprises the findings in all conversion-related areas aiming to consider ecosystem needs while ensuring availability of silvicultural methods and operational feasibility of their implementation. Simultaneously, the cost-effectiveness of conversion scenarios is analysed by forestry economists. Since a change in public perception and ecological awareness may cause policy makers to either or not endorse furtherconversion efforts, input by experts in forestry politics is also provided.

Foreword, Risto Paivinen Introduction, H. Spiecker, J. Hansen, H. Hasenauer, E. Klimo, J.-P. Skovsgaard, H. Sterba and K. von Teuffel Chapter 1 Glossary of terms and definitions relevant for conversion, Hubert Hasenauer Chapter 2 History of secondary spruce forests in Europe, Elisabeth Johann, Mauro Agnoletti, Anna-Lena Axelsson, Matthias Burgi, Lars Ostlund, Xavier Rochel, Uwe Ernst Schmidt, Anton Schuler, Jens-Peter Skovsgaard and Verena Winiwarter Chapter 3 Present distribution of secondary Norway spruce in Europe, Konstantin von Teuffel, Barbara Heinrich and Manuela Baumgarten Chapter 4 Conversion of coniferous forests in social and political perspectives: Findings from selected countries with special respect to Germany, Ulrich Schraml and Karl-Reinhard. Volz Chapter 5 Silvicultural strategies for conversion, Burghard von Lupke, Christian Ammer, Max Bruciamacchie, Andreas Brunner, Jan Ceitel, Catherine Collet, Christine Deuleuze, Jonathan Diplacido, Jurgen Huss, Jaroslav Jankovie, Petr Kantor, J. Bo Larsen, Manfred Lexer, Magnus Lof, Roman Longauer, Palle Madsen, Jerzy Modrzynski, Reinhard Mosandl, Axel Pampe, Arne Pommerening, Igor Stefaneik, Vladimir Tesao, Richard Thompson and Jacek Zientarski Chapter 6 Ecological consequences of conversion, Jioi Kulhavy, Torsten. Berger, Vladimir Eaboun, Axel Gottlein, Blahomil Grunda, Richard Heitz, Petr Kantor, Emil Klimo, Bohumir Lomsky, Stanislav Niemtur, Karl-Eugen Rehfuess, Marian Slodieak, Hubert Sterba and Lars Vesterdal Chapter 7 Operational factors influencing the efficiency in conversion, Tomas Nordfjell, Manuela Bacher, Lennart Eriksson, Jiri Kadlec, Karl Stampfer, Kjell Suadicani, Marian Suwala and Bruce Talbot Chapter 8 Business economics of conversion and transformation - A case study of Norway spruce in Northern Germany, Jette Bredahl Jacobsen, Bernhard Mohring and Christian Wippermann