1. International Seminar
Zvolen 2003
CLOSE TO NATURE
FORESTRY
Methods and Procedures of Forest Management Planning in Close to Nature Forestry and Its Ecological Impacts Heinrich Spiecker, Institute of Forest Growth, Freiburg

2. Three Principles of Close to Nature Forest Management
Tree species composition: native and site adequate species
Forest structure: ecological stability, biodiversity
Management: application of self-regulating processes

3. Management Conditions
State of the Forest Many Forests have not been managed according to the principle of “close to nature forestry”! History: Forest devastation, afforestation… ..not always site adequate species, even aged stands, low stability (snow, storm, drought, insects, fungi)
Knowledge Experience and knowledge on “Close to Nature Forestry” and its impacts on ecological values is limited
Conditions are changing: socio-economic conditions and ecological conditions

4. Two types of “Close to Nature Forest Management”
A. Many forests needed to be converted when applying the criteria of “Close to Nature Management”: A management of Conversion is needed.
B. Management of “Close to Nature Forests”

5. e.g. natural range of Norway spruce

6. Tree species distribution in Central Europe%
100
Abies alba
'natural'
today
Picea abies
Pinus sp. 80
other broadleaved sp.
Quercus sp.
Fagus sylvatica 60 20 40 10 20
-10
-20
source: Mayer 1984
Close to nature forestry: more broadleaved trees

8. Storm

9. 20 40
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000 20
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000

10. To provide a solid base for management planning related to close to nature management contributions of various disciplines are needed:
Understanding of History
Inventory: sites, species, stand structure
Ecology: Ecological values such as ecological risk, soil fertility, biodiversity, water quality
Silviculture
Forest Operations
Policy
Economy

11. Where should close to nature forestry be applied?
- Site conditions
Special values: protection of habitats,
erosion, water quality
- Stand/landscape conditions
- ecological risks
- economic expectations of the owner
- political conditions: incentives, restrictions

12. What options for management towards close to nature forestry exist?
- clear cut
- shelter-wood cut

14. Some prerequisites of close to nature forestry on management activities:
work and machinery input

15. Prerequisites of close to nature forestry on management activities:
work and machinery input
- quality of work
- information and education

16. Prerequisites of close to nature forestry on management activities:
work and machinery input
- quality of work
- education and information
- infrastructure
- game density

17. What are the results of close to nature forestry:
Ecological aspects
ecological risk

18. What are the results of close to nature forestry:
Ecological aspects
ecological risk
- long-term site fertility (nutrient cycling etc.)
- biodiversity
- water quality

19. Ecological Impact of Close to Nature Forestry
Nutrient balance in conifer forests:
often higher acidification
nutrient cycling is slowed down
accumulation of organic matter
In conifer Forests Susceptibility to
windthrow
snow damage
bark beetles
fungi is relatively high

20. Ecological Impact of Close to Nature Forestry
Biodiversity in conifer forests:
less diversity in pure coniferous forests
is a generally accepted hypothesis
Water quality in conifer forests:
higher acidity in surface water
transpiration rate is lower
while interception is higher

21. What are the results of close to nature forestry:
Ecological aspects
ecological risk
- long-term site fertility (nutrient cycling etc.)
- biodiversity
- water quality
Economic aspects
- cost of managing (harvesting etc.)
- wood characteristics

22. Economic Impact of Close to Nature Forestry
Criteria:
- net present value (profitability)
cash flow (liquidity)
- risk
flexibility
Relevant impacts:
- wood quantity
- wood dimension and quality
- length of the production period
- establishment, tending and harvesting cost

23. Conclusions I The choice of the management option depends on:
- site conditions, stand conditions, etc.
- ownership
- economic conditions
- political conditions
No one single optimal management option!

24. Conclusions II As management has long-term
impacts we have to deal with
- changing economic conditions
- changing ecologic conditions
- changing values
- changing political conditions
- improvement of knowledge/technologies

25. Conclusions III Uncertainty:
Management strategies need to be flexible!
Strategies should allow various options for the future