Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Estimation of nutrient removals in stem-only and whole-tree harvesting of Scots pine, Norway spruce, and birch stands with generalized nutrient equations

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
European Journal of Forest Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Whole-tree harvesting (WTH), where logging residues are removed in addition to stems, is widely practised in Fennoscandian boreal forests. WTH increases the export of nutrients from forest ecosystems. The extent of nutrient removals may depend on tree species, harvesting method, and the intensity of harvesting. We developed generalized nutrient equations for Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), Norway spruce (Picea abies Karsten), and birch (Betula pendula Roth and Betula pubescens Ehrh.) stands to be able to calculate the amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium in stems and above-ground biomass (stem and crown) as a function of stand volume. The equations were based on Fennoscandian literature data from 34 pine, 26 spruce, and 5 birch stands, and they explained, depending on the tree species and nutrient, 61–99% and 56–87% of the variation in the nutrient amounts of stems and above-ground biomass, respectively. The calculations based on the equations showed that nutrient removals caused by stem-only harvesting (SOH) and WTH per harvested stem m3 were smaller in pine than in spruce and birch stands. If the same volume of stem is harvested, nutrient removals are, in general, nearly equal at thinnings and final cuttings in SOH, but larger in thinnings than final cuttings in WTH. If the principal aim is to minimize the nutrient removals per harvested stem m3, the harvesting should be done at mature pine stands. The effect of biomass removal on overall site nutrient status depends on site-specific factors such as atmospheric deposition, weathering of minerals, and the size of the nutrient pools in the soil.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Akselsson C, Westling O, Sverdrup H, Gundersen P (2007) Nutrient and carbon budgets in forest soils as decision support in sustainable forest management. For Ecol Manag 238:167–174

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Akselsson C, Belyazid S, Hellsten S, Klarqvist M, Phil-Karlsson G, Karlsson P-E, Lundin L (2010) Assessing the risk of N leaching from forest soils across a steep N deposition gradient in Sweden. Environ Pollut 158:3588–3595

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Albrektson A (1980) Relations between tree biomass fractions and conventional measurements. In: Persson T (ed) Structure and function of northern coniferous forests–an ecosystem study. Ecol Bull 32:315–327

    Google Scholar 

  • Alriksson A, Eriksson HM (1998) Variations in mineral nutrient and C distribution in the soil and vegetation compartments of five temperate tree species in NE Sweden. For Ecol Manag 108:261–273

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Asikainen A, Liiri H, Peltola S, Karjalainen T, Laitila J (2008) Forest Energy Potential in Europe (EU 27). Working Papers Finn For Res Inst, vol 69, 33pp

  • Augusto L, Ranger J, Ponette Q, Rapp M (2000) Relationships between forest tree species, stand production and stand nutrient amount. Ann For Sci 57:313–324

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Augusto L, Meredieu C, Bert D, Trichet P, Porté A, Bosc A, Lagane F, Loustau D, Pellerin S, Danjon F, Ranger J, Gelpe J (2008) Improving models of forest nutrient export with equations that predict the nutrient concentration of tree compartments. Ann For Sci 65:808

    Google Scholar 

  • Björheden R (2006) Drivers behind the development of forest energy in Sweden. Biomass Bioenergy 30:289–295

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Björkroth G, Rosén K (1977) Biomassa och näringsmängder på fyra ståndorter. Projekt Helträdsutnyttjande. No. 49. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Stockholm, 20 p

  • Brække FH, Håland B (1995) Above-ground biomass and mineral element distribution in a Scots pine stand of a virgin low-shrub pine bog. Meddelelser fra Communications of Skogforsk 47(7):1–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Bringmark L (1977) A bioelement budget of an old Scots pine forest in central Sweden. Silva Fenn 11:201–209

    Google Scholar 

  • Cajander AK (1949) Forest types and their significance. Acta For Fenn 56:1–71

    Google Scholar 

  • Comerford NB, Leaf AL (1982a) An evaluation of techniques for sampling forest tree nutrient content. Part I. Sampling the crown for total nutrient content. Forest Sci 28:471–480

    Google Scholar 

  • Comerford NB, Leaf AL (1982b) An evaluation of techniques for sampling forest tree nutrient content. Part II. Sampling for stem nutrient content. Forest Sci 28:481–487

    Google Scholar 

  • DeLuca TH, Zackrisson O, Nilsson M-C, Sellstedt A (2002) Quantifying nitrogen fixation in feather moss carpets of boreal forests. Nature 419:917–920

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Derome J, Lindgren M, Merilä P, Beuker E, Nöjd P (2007) Forest condition monitoring under the UN/UCE and EU programmes in Finland. In: Merilä P, Kilpua T, Derome J (eds) Forest condition monitoring in finland—national report 2002–2005. Working Papers of the Finnish Forest Research Institute 45:11–20

  • Egnell G, Valinger E (2003) Survival, growth and growth allocation of planted Scots pine trees after different levels of biomass removal in clear-felling. For Ecol Manag 177:65–74

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ericsson A, Nordén L-G, Näsholm T, Walheim M (1993) Mineral nutrient imbalances and arginine concentrations in needles of Picea abies (L.) Karst. from two areas with different levels of airborne deposition. Trees 8:67–74

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eriksson HM, Berden M, Rosén K, Nilsson IS (1996) Nutrient distribution in a Norway spruce stand after long-term application of ammonium nitrate and superphosphate. Water Air Soil Pollut 92:451–467

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • European Commission (1997) Energy for the future: renewable sources of energy. White paper for a community strategy and action plan. Com (97) 599 final

  • Finér L (1989) Biomass and nutrient cycle in fertilized and unfertilized pine, mixed birch and pine and spruce stands on a drained mire. Acta For Fenn 208:63

    Google Scholar 

  • Finér L (1991) Effect of fertilization on dry mass accumulation and nutrient cycling in Scots pine on an ombotrophic bog. Acta For Fenn 233:42

    Google Scholar 

  • Finér L, Mannerkoski H, Piirainen S, Starr M (2003) Carbon and nitrogen pools in an old-growth, Norway spruce mixed forest in eastern Finland and changes associated with clear-cutting. For Ecol Manag 174:51–63

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Finér L, Kortelainen P, Mattsson T, Ahtiainen M, Kubin E, Sallantaus T (2004) Sulphate and base cation leaching from unmanaged forested catchments in Finland. For Ecol Manag 195:115–128

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Finér L, Mannerkoski H, Piirainen S, Laurén A, Koivusalo H, Kokkonen T, Penttinen S (2005) Nutrient fluxes from managed boreal forest ecosystems to surface and ground waters. In: Jalkanen A, Nygren M 2005 (eds) Sustainable use of renewable natural resources—from principles to practices. University of Helsinki Department of Forest Ecology Publications 34:123–134

  • Finér L, Mattsson T, Joensuu S, Koivusalo H, Laurén A, Makkonen T, Nieminen M, Tattari T, Ahti E, Kortelainen P, Koskiaho J, Leinonen A, Nevalainen R, Piirainen S, Saarelainen J, Sarkkola S, Vuollekoski M (2010) Vesistökuormituksen laskenta metsäisiltä valuma-alueilta. Suomen ympäristö 10/2010, 33 p

  • Finney DJ (1941) On the distribution of a variate whose logarithm is normally distributed. J Roy Stat Soc Ser B7:155–161

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisher RF, Binkley D (2000) Ecology and management of forest soils. Wiley, New York. 489 p

  • Hakkila P (1989) Utilization of residual forest biomass. Springer, Berlin, 568 p

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Hakkila P (2002) Operations with reduced environmental impact. In: Richardson J, Björnheden R, Hakkila P, Lowe AT, Smith CT (eds) Bioenergy from sustainable forestry. Guiding principles and practice. Kluwer, Dordrecht, pp 244–261

    Google Scholar 

  • Hakkila P (2006) Factors driving the development of forest energy in Finland. Biomass Bioenergy 30:281–288

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Handson PD, Shelley BC (1993) A review of plant analysis in Australia. Aust J Exp Agric 33:1029–1038

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Heikurainen L, Pakarinen P (1982) Peatland classification. In: Laine J (ed) Peatlands and their utilization in Finland. Finnish peatland Society. Helsinki, pp 14–23

  • Helmisaari H-S (1995) Nutrient cycling in Pinus sylvestris stands in eastern Finland. Plant Soil 168–169:327–336

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Helmisaari H-S, Kukkola M, Luiro J, Saarsalmi A, Smolander A, Tamminen P (2009) Hakkuutähteen korjuu—muuttuuko typen saatavuus ? Metsätieteen aikakauskirja 1(2009):57–62

    Google Scholar 

  • Holmén H (1964) Forest ecological studies on drained peat land in the provence of Uppland, Sweden. Parts I-III. Stud For Suec 16:236

  • Hynynen J, Ahtikoski A, Siitonen J, Sievänen R, Liski J (2005) Applying the MOTTI simulator to analyse the effects of alternative management schedules on timber and non-timber production. For Ecol Manag 207:5–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ilomäki S, Nikinmaa E, Mäkelä A (2003) Crown rise due to competition drives biomass allocation in silver birch. Can J For Res 33:2395–2404

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ingerslev M, Hallbäcken L (1999) Above ground biomass and nutrient distribution in a limed and fertilized Norway spruce (Picea abies) plantation part II. Accumulation of biomass and nutrients. For Ecol Manag 119:21–38

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jacks G (1990) Mineral weathering studies in Scandinavia. In: Mason BJ (ed) The surface waters acidification programme. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 215–222

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobson S, Kukkola M, Mälkönen E, Tveite B (2000) Impact of whole-tree harvesting and compensatory fertilization on growth of coniferous thinning stands. For Ecol Manag 129:41–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jokela EJ, Shannon CA, White EH (1981) Biomass and nutrient equations for mature Betula papyrifera Marsh. Can J For Res 11:298–304

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Joki-Heiskala P, Johansson M, Holmberg M, Mattsson T, Forsius M, Kortelainen P, Hallin L (2003) Long-term base cation balances of forest mineral soils in Finland. Water Air Soil Pollut 150:255–273

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kantola A, Mäkelä A (2006) Development of biomass proportions in Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.). Trees 20:111–121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kärkkäinen L (2005) Evaluation of performance of tree-level biomass models for forestry modelling and analyses. Finn For Res Inst Res Pap 940:108 p + appendices

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaunisto S, Paavilainen E (1988) Nutrient stores in old drainage areas and growth of stands. Commun Inst For Fenn 145:39

    Google Scholar 

  • Kellomäki S, Väisänen H (1986) Kasvatustiheyden ja kasvupaikan viljavuuden vaikutus puiden oksikkuuteen taimikko- ja riukuvaiheen männikössä. Summary: Effect of stand density and site fertility on the branchiness of Scots pine at pole stage. Commun Inst For Fenn 139:38

    Google Scholar 

  • Kubin E (1977) The effect of clear-cutting upon the nutrient status of a spruce forest in northern Finland (64° 28′ N). Acta For Fenn 155:1–40

    Google Scholar 

  • Kubin E (1983) Nutrients in the soil, ground vegetation and tree layer in an old spruce forest in northern Finland. Ann Bot Fenn 20:361–390

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Laiho R (1997) Plant biomass dynamics in drained pine mires in southern Finland, implications for carbon and nutrient balance. Finn For Res Inst Res Pap 631

  • Lehtonen I (1978) Ravinteiden kierto eräässä männikössä: IV fytomassan ja ravinteiden määrä. Nutrient cycle in a Scots pine stand: IV The amount of phytomass and nutrients (Summary in English). Silva Fenn 12:47–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Lehtonen A, Mäkipää R, Heikkinen J, Sievänen R, Liski J (2004) Biomass expansion factors (BEFs) for Scots pine, Norway spruce and birch according to stand age for boreal forests. For Ecol Manag 188:211–244

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Madgwick HAI, Satoo T (1975) On estimating the above-ground weights of tree stands. Ecology 56:1446–1450

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mäkelä A, Vanninen P (1998) Impacts of size and competition on tree form and distribution of aboveground biomass in Scots pine. Can J For Res 28:216–227

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maljanen M, Jokinen H, Saari A, Strömmer R, Martikainen PJ (2006) Methane and nitrous oxide fluxes, and carbon dioxide production in boreal forest soil fertilized with wood ash and nitrogen. Soil Use Manag 22:151–157

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mälkönen E (1972) Hakkuutähteiden talteenoton vaikutus männikön ravinnevaroihin. (Summary in English: Effect of harvesting logging residues on the nutrient status of Scots pine stands). Folia For 157:14

  • Mälkönen E (1974) Annual primary production and nutrient cycle in some Scots pine stands. Commun Inst For Fenn 84:87

    Google Scholar 

  • Mälkönen E (1977) Annual primary production and nutrient cycle in a birch stand. Commun Inst For Fenn 91(5):1–35

    Google Scholar 

  • Mälkönen E, Saarsalmi A (1982) Hieskoivikon biomassatuotos ja ravinteiden menetys kokopuunkorjuussa. English summary: biomass production and nutrient removal in whole tree harvesting of birch stands. Folia For 534:17

    Google Scholar 

  • Nihlgård B (1972) Plant biomass, primary production and distribution of chemical elements in a beech and a planted spruce forest in south Sweden. Oikos 23:69–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nilsson U, Gemmel P (1993) Changes in growth and allocation of growth in young Pinus sylvestris and Picea abies due to competition. Scand J For Res 8:213–222

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nohrstedt HO (2001) Response of coniferous forest ecosystems on mineral soils to nutrient additions: a review of Swedish experiences. Scand J For Res 16:555–573

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nykvist N (1971) The effect of clearfelling on the distribution of biomass and nutrients. Ecol Bull 14:166–178

    Google Scholar 

  • Nykvist N (1974) Växtnäringsförluster vid helträdsutnyttjande. En sammanställning av undersökningar i gran- och tallbestånd. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. Res Notes 76:74–90

    Google Scholar 

  • Oleksyn J, Reich PB, Zytkowiak R, Karolewski P, Tjoelker MG (2003) Nutrient conservation increases with latitude of origin in European Pinus sylvestris populations. Oecologia 136:220–235

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Olsson M, Rosén K, Melkerud P-A (1993) Regional modelling of base cation losses from Swedish forest soils due to whole-tree harvesting. Appl Geochem 2:189–194

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Olsson BA, Staaf H, Lundkvist H, Bengtsson J, Rosén K (1996a) Carbon and nitrogen in coniferous forest soils after clear-felling and harvests of different intensity. For Ecol Manag 82:19–32

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olsson BA, Bengtsson J, Lundkvist H (1996b) Effects of different forest harvest intensities on the pools of exchangeable cations in coniferous forest soils. For Ecol Manag 84:134–147

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paarlahti K, Reinikainen A, Veijalainen H (1971) Nutritional diagnosis of Scots pine stands by needle and peat analysis. Commun Inst For Fenn 74:1–58

    Google Scholar 

  • Paavilainen E (1980) Effect of fertilization on plant biomass and nutrient cycle on a drained dwarf shrub pine swamp. Commun Inst For Fenn 98(5):1–71

    Google Scholar 

  • Palviainen M (2005) Logging residues and ground vegetation in nutrient dynamics of a clear-cut boreal forest. Dissertationes Forestales 12:38

    Google Scholar 

  • Peltola A (ed) (2009) Finnish statistical yearbook of forestry. Finnish Forest Research Institute. Vammalan kirjapaino Oy, Sastamala, 452 p

  • Piirainen S, Finér L, Mannerkoski H, Starr M (2004) Effects of forest clear-cutting on the sulphur, phosphorus and base cations fluxes through podzolic soil horizons. Biogeochem 69:405–424

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ponette Q, Ranger J, Ottorini J-M, Ulrich E (2001) Above-ground biomass and nutrient content of five Douglas-fir stands in France. For Ecol Manag 142:109–127

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Popović B, Burgtorf H (1964) Upptagningen av växtnäring efter gödsling av ett tallbestånd i Lappland. Department of Forest Ecology. Res Notes 4:15

  • Raulund-Rasmussen K, Stupak I, Clarke N, Callesen I, Helmisaari H-S, Karltun E, Varnagiryte-Kabasinskiene I (2008) Effects of very intensive forest biomass harvesting on short and long term site productivity. In: Röser D, Asikainen A, Raulund-Rasmussen K, Stupak I (eds) Sustainable use of forest biomass for energy. Managing forest ecosystems, vol 12. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 29–78

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Reinikainen A, Veijalainen H, Nousiainen H (1998) Puiden ravinnepuutokset: Metsänkasvattajan ravinneopas. The Finnish Forest Research Institute, Research Papers, vol 688, 44pp

  • Repola J (2009) Biomass equations for Scots pine and Norway spruce in Finland. SilvaFenn 43:625–647

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosén K (1982) Supply, loss and distribution of nutrients in three coniferous watersheds in central Sweden. Reports in Forest Ecology and Forest Soils. Department of Forest Soils. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. Report, vol 41, 70pp

  • Rosén K, Lindberg T (1980) Biological nitrogen fixation in coniferous watershed areas in central Sweden. Holarctic Ecol 3:137–140

    Google Scholar 

  • Röser D, Asikainen A, Stupak I, Pasanen K (2008) Forest energy resources and potentials. In: Röser D, Asikainen A, Raulund-Rasmussen K, Stupak I (eds) Sustainable use of forest biomass for energy. A synthesis with focus on the Baltic and Nordic region. Managing Forest Ecosystems, vol 12. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 9–28

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruoho-Airola T, Alaviippola B, Salminen K, Varjoranta R (2003) An investigation of base cation deposition in Finland. Bor Env Res 8:83–95

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Saarsalmi A, Tamminen P, Kukkola M, Hautajärvi R (2010) Whole-tree harvesting at clear-felling: Impact on soil chemistry, needle nutrient concentrations, and growth of Scots pine. Scand J For Res 25:148–156

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salminen H, Lehtonen M, Hynynen J (2005) Reusing legacy FORTRAN in the MOTTI growth and yield simulator. Comput Electron Agric 49:103–113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Starr M, Westman CJ (1978) Easily extractable nutrients in the surface peat layer of virgin sedge-pine swamps. Silva Fenn 12:65–78

    Google Scholar 

  • Starr M, Lindroos A-J, Tarvainen T, Tanskanen H (1998) Weathering rates in the Hietajärvi integrated monitoring catchment. Bor Env Res 3:275–285

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stupak I, Nordfjell T, Gundersen P (2008) Comparing biomass and nutrient removals of stems and fresh and predried whole trees in thinning in two Norway spruce experiments. Can J For Res 38:2660–2673

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sverdrup H, Rosen K (1998) Long-term base cation mass balances for Swedish forests and the concept of sustainability. For Ecol Manage 110:221–236

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tamm CO (1969) Site damage by thinning due to removal of organic matter and plant nutrients. Thinning and mechanization. IUFRO meeting, Stockholm, Sweden, pp 175–179

  • Tamminen P (1998) Maaperätekijät. In: Mälkönen E (ed) Ympäristömuutos ja metsien kunto. Metsäntutkimuslaitoksen tiedonantoja 691, 64–75

  • Thelin G, Rosengren U, Callesen I, Ingerslev M (2002) The nutrient status of Norway spruce in pure and mixed-species stands. For Ecol Manag 160:115–125

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ukonmaanaho L, Merilä P, Nöjd P, Nieminen TM (2008) Litterfall production and nutrient return to the forest floor in Scots pine and Norway spruce stands in Finland. Bor Env Res 13(suppl. B):67–91

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vanninen P, Ylitalo H, Sievänen R, Mäkelä A (1996) Effects of age and site quality on the distribution of biomass in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). Trees 10:231–238

    Google Scholar 

  • Westman CJ, Laiho R (2003) Nutrient dynamics of drained peatland forests. Biogeochem 63:269–298

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank the University of Helsinki, the Finnish Forest Research Institute, the Academy of Finland (project 640026) and Nordic Forestry CAR-ES, which is financed by the Nordic Ministers through SNS (Nordic Forest Research Co-operation Committee), for funding this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Forest Sciences, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 27, 00014, Helsinki, Finland

    Marjo Palviainen

  2. Finnish Forest Research Institute, Joensuu Research Unit, P.O. Box 68, 80101, Joensuu, Finland

    Leena Finér

Authors
  1. Marjo Palviainen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Leena Finér
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marjo Palviainen.

Additional information

Communicated by K. Puettmann.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Palviainen, M., Finér, L. Estimation of nutrient removals in stem-only and whole-tree harvesting of Scots pine, Norway spruce, and birch stands with generalized nutrient equations. Eur J Forest Res 131, 945–964 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-011-0567-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-011-0567-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation