Economic and Production Effect of Tree Species Change as a Result of Adaptation to Climate Change

Abstract

Climate change is increasingly affecting forest ecosystems. Modifying the species composition towards species mixtures with a higher potential to mitigate the negative effect of climate change is one of the basic silvicultural measures. Potential economic and production impacts of these actions need to be assessed. This study therefore aims to evaluate the economic and production effect of species composition change as a result of the adaptation of forest ecosystems to climate change. The differences between the value production of Norway spruce (Picea abies /L./Karst.), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziessi/MIRBEL/FRANCO) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) on fresh soils (represented mainly by mesotrophic cambisols), and soils affected by ground water (mainly pseudogley forms of cambisols and pseudogleys) were evaluated. The study was conducted on the area of the forest enterprise of the Czech University of Life Sciences (UFE) situated in the Central Bohemia region. For a model comparison of height and volume growth of Douglas fir and Norway spruce in this area, all stands (pure and mixed) with both species represented were analysed using the data from the current forest management plan and Korf’s growth function. The course of current and mean height increments over time is very similar, yet with constantly higher annual increments for Douglas fir. In 100 years, the mean stand height of Douglas fir is 6 m larger than that of Norway spruce. Production and economic potential were also evaluated. At the rotation age, the volume and value production of Douglas fir was 30% to 50% higher than that of Norway spruce. A higher share of Douglas fir in the total forest area would lead to an important value increment of the forests in the study area. Different results were achieved by comparing the yield potential of Norway spruce with European beech, which most often substitutes spruce at middle altitudes. Beech potential yield is only 40–55% of the spruce yield level.