Search

Because the two common tree species in Norway, Picea abies L. Karst (Norway spruce) and Pinus sylvestris L. (Scots pine), differ in their susceptibility to the fungus Heterobasidion spp., converting at least parts of the rot-infested spruce stands to pine pays-off economically in some cases. Pixel-level information on rot levels and site indexes (SI) across the stand are required to identify these cases to make decisions that increase the expected economic return of the stand. Applying the Value of Information (VoI) concept, we assessed the value of such information when choosing between planting spruce and pine on a clear-cut spruce stand. The VoIs were highest for the stands of medium–low dominant SI. There, the shift from spruce to pine in some pixels instead of planting spruce across the whole stand has the best-expected impact on the stand's net present value. Additionally, planting densities are more often adjusted to the pixel SI in these dominant SIs. Given that the stand's dominant SI is known, information on rot levels alone is more valuable than information on SI alone. The lower the interest rate in decision-making, the more the forest owner is willing to invest in information supporting forest management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Forest Research is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

To study whether, why, and how forestry decision-makers in Southeastern Norway adapt to climate change, we conducted a series of semi-structured interviews in focus groups consisting of non-industrial private forest owners, forest managers, and forest advisors. Our results show that a majority of the participants believed in climate change as a phenomenon, and had experienced events or observed changes that they attributed to climate change. However, we found little evidence of concern regarding climate change impacts on forest ecosystems and forestry among the participants. Instead, the majority regarded climate change more as an opportunity for the Norwegian forest-based sector than a threat. A minority had implemented proactive practices motivated by climate change but in all but one case, the adjustments were adaptation of forest infrastructure. In general, the participants agreed that the uncertainty associated with the effects of climate change and the (economical) uncertainty associated with adaptation of forest ecosystems were too large to change forest management practices at present. However, many participants, in particular the managers, are already adapting in response to experienced problems, such as increased frequency and duration of periods with low carrying capacity of the ground implying reduced or no accessibility within and to stands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]