Intensive Short Rotation Forestry in Boreal Climates: Present and Future Perspectives. Weih, M. 34(7):1369–1378. ![Intensive Short Rotation Forestry in Boreal Climates: Present and Future Perspectives [link]](https://bibbase.org/img/filetypes/link.svg "link")
Paper doi abstract bibtex Short rotation forestry (SRF) is regarded as a silvicultural practice employing high-density plantations of fast-growing tree species on fertile land with a rotation period of fewer than 10?12 years. I address the challenges and possibilities of SRF applications under the circumstances of a boreal climate, today as well as after anticipated climate change. The implications of a pronounced winter season for the performance of biomass crops are discussed. Poplars, aspens, and willows are superior in boreal SRF because of their fast growth rate in combination with good cold hardiness. These trees can enrich the coniferous forests of boreal regions and increase biodiversity in open agricultural landscapes of the boreal zone. Further, SRF plantations can serve as tools for the amelioration of environmental problems at local (e.g., phytoremediation) and global (e.g., increased greenhouse effect) scales. The biomass yields achieved in boreal SRF and the appropriate production systems appear do not appear to be principally different from warmer regions, but there are some differences with respect to the importance of fertilization, appropriate spacing, and rotation length. The major barriers for a rapid development of SRF appear not to be climatic, technical, or environmental constraints in many boreal regions. [Excerpt: Future perspective and conclusion] The exploitation of woody biomass resources from remote boreal forests in terms of conventional forestry usually is associated with high transport costs, great impact on natural forest vegetation across large areas, and poor possibilities for environmental control applications, such as wastewater treatment and phytoremediation. These drawbacks of conventional boreal forestry are strong arguments to the search for alternative forms of forestry that suit local requirements in terms of biomass, energy, and environmental control. Thus, intensive SRF may well have the potential to meet some major needs of society in boreal regions, as it can provide (i) large amounts of biomass and bioenergy per unit land area and time, (ii) promising tools for environmental control at a local scale (e.g., phytoremediation), and (iii) an energy source that may help to ameliorate some of the most urgent environmental problems at a global scale (e.g., increased greenhouse effect, diminishing biodiversity in agricultural landscapes). However, to utilize the possibilities offered by SRF in boreal regions, the following issues need to be considered: [::] The development and implementation of a sustainable infrastructure for SRF in boreal regions on an economically and ecologically sound basis must be well prepared in advance by means of harvest and transport logistics as well as a clear identification of the end use of the product. [::] The appropriate plant material for the intended site and use should be actively chosen, which requires the characterization of the plant material available on the market in terms of growth under various environmental conditions (frost, nutrients, pest, UV-B sensitivity, etc.) [...]. [::] International coordination and continuous breeding programmes that are based on plant material adapted to the specific environment of boreal regions (e.g., photoperiod conditions) and directed towards tolerance of pests and diseases at low levels are required to ensure high productivity and keep the damages caused by insects and fungi at an acceptable level [...]. [::] Polyclonal or multispecies stands are desirable from a biodiversity and pest-control point of view [...], but the choice of clones or species with similar growth characteristics at a given site is very important to avoid different clones or species outcompeting each other and to ensure the long-term sustainability of the polyclonal or multispecies production system [...]. [::] Modern biotechnology offers exciting possibilities for plant breeding towards increased yields, improved stress resistance, and pest tolerance [...]. However, the corresponding methods are currently not operational with respect to forest trees, and the utilization of genetically modified plant material at a large scale is a hot political issue in many countries. In addition, biological constraints may limit the engineering of superior trees that are, for example, both fast growing and tolerant of the harsh environmental conditions in the boreal climate [...]. [\n] I conclude that the major barriers for a rapid development of SRF, especially in the major agricultural regions of the boreal zone, appear not to be climatic, technical, or environmental constraints, but rather sociopolitical issues (e.g., agricultural and energy policy, market developments, public attitudes).
@article{weihIntensiveShortRotation2004,
title = {Intensive Short Rotation Forestry in Boreal Climates: Present and Future Perspectives},
author = {Weih, Martin},
date = {2004-07},
journaltitle = {Canadian Journal of Forest Research},
volume = {34},
pages = {1369--1378},
issn = {1208-6037},
doi = {10.1139/x04-090},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1139/x04-090},
abstract = {Short rotation forestry (SRF) is regarded as a silvicultural practice employing high-density plantations of fast-growing tree species on fertile land with a rotation period of fewer than 10?12 years. I address the challenges and possibilities of SRF applications under the circumstances of a boreal climate, today as well as after anticipated climate change. The implications of a pronounced winter season for the performance of biomass crops are discussed. Poplars, aspens, and willows are superior in boreal SRF because of their fast growth rate in combination with good cold hardiness. These trees can enrich the coniferous forests of boreal regions and increase biodiversity in open agricultural landscapes of the boreal zone. Further, SRF plantations can serve as tools for the amelioration of environmental problems at local (e.g., phytoremediation) and global (e.g., increased greenhouse effect) scales. The biomass yields achieved in boreal SRF and the appropriate production systems appear do not appear to be principally different from warmer regions, but there are some differences with respect to the importance of fertilization, appropriate spacing, and rotation length. The major barriers for a rapid development of SRF appear not to be climatic, technical, or environmental constraints in many boreal regions.
[Excerpt: Future perspective and conclusion]
The exploitation of woody biomass resources from remote boreal forests in terms of conventional forestry usually is associated with high transport costs, great impact on natural forest vegetation across large areas, and poor possibilities for environmental control applications, such as wastewater treatment and phytoremediation. These drawbacks of conventional boreal forestry are strong arguments to the search for alternative forms of forestry that suit local requirements in terms of biomass, energy, and environmental control. Thus, intensive SRF may well have the potential to meet some major needs of society in boreal regions, as it can provide (i) large amounts of biomass and bioenergy per unit land area and time, (ii) promising tools for environmental control at a local scale (e.g., phytoremediation), and (iii) an energy source that may help to ameliorate some of the most urgent environmental problems at a global scale (e.g., increased greenhouse effect, diminishing biodiversity in agricultural landscapes). However, to utilize the possibilities offered by SRF in boreal regions, the following issues need to be considered:
[::] The development and implementation of a sustainable infrastructure for SRF in boreal regions on an economically and ecologically sound basis must be well prepared in advance by means of harvest and transport logistics as well as a clear identification of the end use of the product.
[::] The appropriate plant material for the intended site and use should be actively chosen, which requires the characterization of the plant material available on the market in terms of growth under various environmental conditions (frost, nutrients, pest, UV-B sensitivity, etc.) [...].
[::] International coordination and continuous breeding programmes that are based on plant material adapted to the specific environment of boreal regions (e.g., photoperiod conditions) and directed towards tolerance of pests and diseases at low levels are required to ensure high productivity and keep the damages caused by insects and fungi at an acceptable level [...].
[::] Polyclonal or multispecies stands are desirable from a biodiversity and pest-control point of view [...], but the choice of clones or species with similar growth characteristics at a given site is very important to avoid different clones or species outcompeting each other and to ensure the long-term sustainability of the polyclonal or multispecies production system [...].
[::] Modern biotechnology offers exciting possibilities for plant breeding towards increased yields, improved stress resistance, and pest tolerance [...]. However, the corresponding methods are currently not operational with respect to forest trees, and the utilization of genetically modified plant material at a large scale is a hot political issue in many countries. In addition, biological constraints may limit the engineering of superior trees that are, for example, both fast growing and tolerant of the harsh environmental conditions in the boreal climate [...].
[\textbackslash n] I conclude that the major barriers for a rapid development of SRF, especially in the major agricultural regions of the boreal zone, appear not to be climatic, technical, or environmental constraints, but rather sociopolitical issues (e.g., agricultural and energy policy, market developments, public attitudes).},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13938920,~to-add-doi-URL,biodiversity,boreal-forests,forest-resources,short-rotation-forestry,sustainability,trade-offs},
number = {7}
}
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The implications of a pronounced winter season for the performance of biomass crops are discussed. Poplars, aspens, and willows are superior in boreal SRF because of their fast growth rate in combination with good cold hardiness. These trees can enrich the coniferous forests of boreal regions and increase biodiversity in open agricultural landscapes of the boreal zone. Further, SRF plantations can serve as tools for the amelioration of environmental problems at local (e.g., phytoremediation) and global (e.g., increased greenhouse effect) scales. The biomass yields achieved in boreal SRF and the appropriate production systems appear do not appear to be principally different from warmer regions, but there are some differences with respect to the importance of fertilization, appropriate spacing, and rotation length. The major barriers for a rapid development of SRF appear not to be climatic, technical, or environmental constraints in many boreal regions. [Excerpt: Future perspective and conclusion] The exploitation of woody biomass resources from remote boreal forests in terms of conventional forestry usually is associated with high transport costs, great impact on natural forest vegetation across large areas, and poor possibilities for environmental control applications, such as wastewater treatment and phytoremediation. These drawbacks of conventional boreal forestry are strong arguments to the search for alternative forms of forestry that suit local requirements in terms of biomass, energy, and environmental control. Thus, intensive SRF may well have the potential to meet some major needs of society in boreal regions, as it can provide (i) large amounts of biomass and bioenergy per unit land area and time, (ii) promising tools for environmental control at a local scale (e.g., phytoremediation), and (iii) an energy source that may help to ameliorate some of the most urgent environmental problems at a global scale (e.g., increased greenhouse effect, diminishing biodiversity in agricultural landscapes). However, to utilize the possibilities offered by SRF in boreal regions, the following issues need to be considered: [::] The development and implementation of a sustainable infrastructure for SRF in boreal regions on an economically and ecologically sound basis must be well prepared in advance by means of harvest and transport logistics as well as a clear identification of the end use of the product. [::] The appropriate plant material for the intended site and use should be actively chosen, which requires the characterization of the plant material available on the market in terms of growth under various environmental conditions (frost, nutrients, pest, UV-B sensitivity, etc.) [...]. [::] International coordination and continuous breeding programmes that are based on plant material adapted to the specific environment of boreal regions (e.g., photoperiod conditions) and directed towards tolerance of pests and diseases at low levels are required to ensure high productivity and keep the damages caused by insects and fungi at an acceptable level [...]. [::] Polyclonal or multispecies stands are desirable from a biodiversity and pest-control point of view [...], but the choice of clones or species with similar growth characteristics at a given site is very important to avoid different clones or species outcompeting each other and to ensure the long-term sustainability of the polyclonal or multispecies production system [...]. [::] Modern biotechnology offers exciting possibilities for plant breeding towards increased yields, improved stress resistance, and pest tolerance [...]. However, the corresponding methods are currently not operational with respect to forest trees, and the utilization of genetically modified plant material at a large scale is a hot political issue in many countries. In addition, biological constraints may limit the engineering of superior trees that are, for example, both fast growing and tolerant of the harsh environmental conditions in the boreal climate [...]. [\\n] I conclude that the major barriers for a rapid development of SRF, especially in the major agricultural regions of the boreal zone, appear not to be climatic, technical, or environmental constraints, but rather sociopolitical issues (e.g., agricultural and energy policy, market developments, public attitudes).","keywords":"*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13938920,~to-add-doi-URL,biodiversity,boreal-forests,forest-resources,short-rotation-forestry,sustainability,trade-offs","number":"7","bibtex":"@article{weihIntensiveShortRotation2004,\n title = {Intensive Short Rotation Forestry in Boreal Climates: Present and Future Perspectives},\n author = {Weih, Martin},\n date = {2004-07},\n journaltitle = {Canadian Journal of Forest Research},\n volume = {34},\n pages = {1369--1378},\n issn = {1208-6037},\n doi = {10.1139/x04-090},\n url = {https://doi.org/10.1139/x04-090},\n abstract = {Short rotation forestry (SRF) is regarded as a silvicultural practice employing high-density plantations of fast-growing tree species on fertile land with a rotation period of fewer than 10?12 years. I address the challenges and possibilities of SRF applications under the circumstances of a boreal climate, today as well as after anticipated climate change. The implications of a pronounced winter season for the performance of biomass crops are discussed. Poplars, aspens, and willows are superior in boreal SRF because of their fast growth rate in combination with good cold hardiness. These trees can enrich the coniferous forests of boreal regions and increase biodiversity in open agricultural landscapes of the boreal zone. Further, SRF plantations can serve as tools for the amelioration of environmental problems at local (e.g., phytoremediation) and global (e.g., increased greenhouse effect) scales. The biomass yields achieved in boreal SRF and the appropriate production systems appear do not appear to be principally different from warmer regions, but there are some differences with respect to the importance of fertilization, appropriate spacing, and rotation length. The major barriers for a rapid development of SRF appear not to be climatic, technical, or environmental constraints in many boreal regions.\n\n[Excerpt: Future perspective and conclusion]\n\nThe exploitation of woody biomass resources from remote boreal forests in terms of conventional forestry usually is associated with high transport costs, great impact on natural forest vegetation across large areas, and poor possibilities for environmental control applications, such as wastewater treatment and phytoremediation. These drawbacks of conventional boreal forestry are strong arguments to the search for alternative forms of forestry that suit local requirements in terms of biomass, energy, and environmental control. Thus, intensive SRF may well have the potential to meet some major needs of society in boreal regions, as it can provide (i) large amounts of biomass and bioenergy per unit land area and time, (ii) promising tools for environmental control at a local scale (e.g., phytoremediation), and (iii) an energy source that may help to ameliorate some of the most urgent environmental problems at a global scale (e.g., increased greenhouse effect, diminishing biodiversity in agricultural landscapes). However, to utilize the possibilities offered by SRF in boreal regions, the following issues need to be considered:\n\n[::] The development and implementation of a sustainable infrastructure for SRF in boreal regions on an economically and ecologically sound basis must be well prepared in advance by means of harvest and transport logistics as well as a clear identification of the end use of the product.\n\n[::] The appropriate plant material for the intended site and use should be actively chosen, which requires the characterization of the plant material available on the market in terms of growth under various environmental conditions (frost, nutrients, pest, UV-B sensitivity, etc.) [...].\n\n[::] International coordination and continuous breeding programmes that are based on plant material adapted to the specific environment of boreal regions (e.g., photoperiod conditions) and directed towards tolerance of pests and diseases at low levels are required to ensure high productivity and keep the damages caused by insects and fungi at an acceptable level [...].\n\n[::] Polyclonal or multispecies stands are desirable from a biodiversity and pest-control point of view [...], but the choice of clones or species with similar growth characteristics at a given site is very important to avoid different clones or species outcompeting each other and to ensure the long-term sustainability of the polyclonal or multispecies production system [...].\n\n[::] Modern biotechnology offers exciting possibilities for plant breeding towards increased yields, improved stress resistance, and pest tolerance [...]. However, the corresponding methods are currently not operational with respect to forest trees, and the utilization of genetically modified plant material at a large scale is a hot political issue in many countries. 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