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Effect plots showing differences in carbon and nitrogen content across basic density for different tree species. The area between dotted lines indicates 95% confidence interval.
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While numerous studies have focused on analyzing various aspects of the carbon (C) budget in forests, there appears to be a lack of comprehensive assessments specifically addressing the impact of stem rot on the C budget of broadleaf tree species, especially in old-growth forests where stem rot is prevalent. One of the main challenges in accurately...
Context in source publication
Context 1
... interaction between the factors distance from pith and wood condition is represented as "Distance: Wood condition" Variations in basic density showed a significant effect (p < 0.05) on N content in all species examined (Fig. 4) (Table 3). The R 2 c values indicated a good relationship between the fitted and estimated values for studied species, explaining 45% to 86% of the variation in N content. In contrast, predicting C content was associated with higher prediction errors than N content, resulting in poorer R 2 c values (0.17 to 0.61) and R 2 m values (0.01 ...
Citations
... EUR 18.5 million in economic losses annually [18]. However, for broadleaf species, a comprehensive assessment of the impact of internal decay (e.g., stem rot) on merchantable volume and carbon stocks is still lacking [15,19,20]. In addition, disturbances by various pathogens are predicted to intensify with expected warmer and wetter conditions, which are likely to amply disturbances as they interact [21]. ...
In any forest stand, the theoretically modelled output of sawlogs (the most valuable roundwood assortments) will differ from what is actually obtained. The aim of this study was to assess whether it is possible to characterise this difference by site properties or forest inventory parameters for birch, black alder, and aspen. We compared theoretically modelled sawlog recovery with actual recovery according to harvester data from final fellings. The difference between the theoretically modelled and actually recovered sawlog outcomes varied from −24.32 to −60.96 percentage points, with overestimations reaching up to three times for aspen. The differences in yield of sawlogs varied among soil types and increased with age and the average diameter of a tree. The sawlog recovery was underestimated up to the mean diameter at breast height of 16 cm and age of 20 years while being overestimated for larger and older trees. The results highlight the necessity to consider decreasing wood quality with increasing age to account for decay, such as stem rot, in assortment tables.
... Most existing data about stem rot spatial distributions in forests originate from research investigations examining its impact on the quantity and value of timber [14][15][16]. However, to track the impact of stem rot on living biomass, more precise and comprehensive data are needed on the extent and proportion of various external indicators of stem rot within tree stems [17]. ...
... Decay development in a living stem can be likened to a disease, and a tree can often respond to the initial infection and defend itself [30]. In our previous fieldwork, we observed a significant decline in basic stem wood density (25-41%) as part of decomposition [17]. This variation depended on the tree species and was associated with biomass loss in tree stems. ...
... Two discs were obtained from each log, one from each end. Later in the laboratory, the area of stem rot was measured according to previously defined external decay indicators [17]: ...
Efforts to enhance carbon storage in forest ecosystems through policy and management decisions rely on accurate forest biomass assessments. However, most forest inventories consider tree mortality the only form of aboveground biomass loss, overlooking other important factors, such as wood decay in living trees. In this study, using linear mixed-effects models, we delve into the sustainability of mature and over-mature deciduous forests in Latvia by conducting a comprehensive analysis of stem rot severity, identifying species for which the impact of stem rot on their carbon stock reduction was most significant. The analysis focused on determining the proportion of discol-ored wood, decomposed wood, and hollow spaces within the stems of 190 living deciduous trees commonly found in hemiboreal forests. The study reveals a greater extent of stem rot and more extensive decay in Populus tremula trees than in Betula spp., Alnus glutinosa, and Alnus incana. It emphasizes the influence of tree species, age, and diameter at breast height on stem rot proportions. The stump rot area significantly predicts the amount of decomposed and discolored wood within the stem. The study provides valuable insights for sustainable forestry practices and highlights challenges in estimating stem rot severity, emphasizing the need for comprehensive diagnostic methods.
... For broadleaf species, comprehensive assessment of the impact of internal decay (e.g. stem rot) on merchantable volume and carbon stocks is still lacking [15,19,20]. Besides, disturbances by various pathogens are predicted to intensify with expected warmer and wetter conditions, likely to amply disturbances as they interact [21]. ...
In any forest stand, the theoretically modelled output of sawlogs (the most valuable roundwood assortments) will differ from what is actually obtained. The aim of this study was to assess whether it is possible to characterize this difference by site properties or inventory parameters of forest element for birch, black alder and as-pen. The differences in yield of sawlogs varied among soil types, and was increasing with age and average diameter of the forest element. The theoretical model for assortment grading predicted a lower yield of saw-logs compared to actually obtained yield at a lower age and at a lower average diameter, but overestimated output of sawlogs as age and diameter increase. The results highlight necessity to consider decreasing wood quality with increasing age to account for damage, such as stem rot, in assortment tables.
... Most existing data about stem rot spatial distributions in forests originates from research investigations examining its impact on the quantity and value of timber [14][15][16]. However, to track the impact of stem rot on carbon stocks in living biomass, more precise and comprehensive data are needed on the extent and proportion of various external indicators of stem rot within tree stems [17]. ...
... Decay development in a living stem can be likened to a disease, and the tree can often respond to the initial infection and defend itself [30]. In our previous fieldwork, we observed a significant decline in basic stem wood density (25%-41%) as part of decomposition [17]. This variation depended on the tree species and was associated with biomass loss in tree stems. ...
... Stem discs were collected from the affected logs if signs of stem rot, such as discoloration, decomposed wood, or hollow, were observed. Two discs were obtained from each log, one from each end, and the percentage of stem rot was measured according to previously defined external decay indicators [17]: ...
Efforts to enhance carbon storage in forest ecosystems through policy and management decisions
rely on accurate forest biomass assessments. However, most forest inventories consider tree mortality the only
form of aboveground biomass loss, overlooking other important factors, such as wood decay in living trees. In
this study, using linear mixed-effects models, we delve into the sustainability of mature and over-mature
deciduous forests in Latvia by conducting a comprehensive analysis of stem rot severity, identifying species
for which the impact of stem rot on their carbon stock reduction was most significant. The analysis focused on
determining the proportion of discolored wood, decomposed wood, and hollow spaces within the stems of 190
living deciduous trees commonly found in hemiboreal forests. The study reveals a greater extent of stem rot
and more extensive decay in Populus tremula trees than in Betula spp., Alnus glutinosa, and Alnus incana. It
emphasizes the influence of tree species, age, and diameter at breast height on stem rot proportions. The stump
rot area significantly predicts the amount of decomposed and discolored wood within the stem. The study
provides valuable insights for sustainable forestry practices and highlights challenges in estimating stem rot
severity, emphasizing the need for comprehensive diagnostic methods.
Keywords: internal decay; stem quality; discoloration; old forests; tree cavities; decay assessment;
resource management; political ecology
