Productivity scenarios for the Asa Forest Park

Abstract

The primary focus of the SUFOR research programme was the Asa Royal Forest Park, 33 km² in size, in which the Asa Forest Research Park 12 km² in size, is included. A field station of the Swedish Agricultural University is located in the park, which was expropriated from its German owner in 1945 and become a Royal domain. The area is host to a number of research projects and conditions for synergistic cooperation is good. Technicians from the station assisted in sampling and data collection. Various parameters of the area are shown in Tab. 14.2. The park borders to Lake Asa, the majority of the area being found on the western side of the lake. A map of the area is shown in Fig. 13.1. The park is located 40 km north of the city of Växjö in the province of Småland. Forestry in the area is traditional conifer forestry, representing the point of departure for any future changes. In the past, the original forest cover in Asa was a mixed deciduous forest dominated by lime (Tilia) and alder (Alnus), and also containing European beech (Fagus sylvatica), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), oak (Quercus robur) and birch (Betula). Farming on the shores of the lake started around 1200 AD and Norway spruce entered the landscape on a small scale around 1600. Mixed deciduous vegetation dominated until clearance of the land by farmers from about 1700 onwards. After 1840, Norway spruce increased markedly through colonization and through planting on land that had been abandoned after large numbers of emigrants went to America. Small crofts and farms were reforested, a process that in the province of Småland continued as a result of urbanization from about 1930 on until the present day. From now on conifers, and Norway spruce in particular, are dominant.