Work performed
A sound database for research was compiled, covering a vast range of environmental condition and forest types. Different studies based on the common platform, common protocols, and on some additional inputs were conducted to analyse carbon sequestration in the frame of climate change and management. We analysed wood anatomical traits, allometry, growth, growth partitioning and resilience of forest under different climate conditions, including extreme events.
The efficiency of forestry operations depends on several factors. The wide variability of these factors has generated the need to analyze fuel consumption and the efficiency of forestry operations according to a shared protocol, which was developed during the project. The need for attaining precise information on fuel consumption of forest machines led to implementing a new version of the existing iFOS which facilitates micro-scale analysis. Fuel consumption measurements were tested and applied through the acquisition of machine data based on a specific standard (J1939). The analysis of the carbon source by forest operations was also based on the use of Fleet Management System of forestry machines for long monitoring period.
Additionally, the use of hybrid engines in forest machines, having the advantage of a reduction of carbon emissions per unit of wood volume harvested was analysed.
To support this analysis, quantification and the modelling of forest risks under uncertain climates, a data collection of plantations of different tree species, their growth, market prices and hazard exposure was conducted. The collected data were used to develop a model for robust multi-criteria optimisation and a risk model. Both models were applied within a risk quantification and modelling study in a South African case study.
The work concerning carbon sequestration has been utilised to improve existing models that support forest management in terms of carbon smart forestry. We conceptualised a meta-model which combines aspects of carbon sequestration, carbon emission and risks.
Specific training courses have been developed and conducted to strengthen the expert- and methods-related knowledge and expertise of the involved staff members and beyond. Results were disseminated by scientific publications, conferences, and communicated to various interest groups.
Main results
We could show that climate extreme events like droughts can have an effect on wood anatomical traits, differing between mono-specific and mixed stands. In addition, several methodological improvements were achieved using wood anatomical and physiological traits to study growth reaction to climate conditions.
Studies on tree allometry indicated that tree slenderness and crown allometry are affected by tree social class and species mixing, and that this allometry is related to tree growth, modifying the relationships between tree growth and tree size. Climate change is modifying the pattern of tree growth in mountain forests, with an increasing species-specific and elevation dependent pattern during the last century. Mixing species can increase growth at high elevations and enhance growth stability due to the distribution of risk by the species-specific susceptibility to stressors. Terrestrial Laser Scanning was found to be a useful tool to estimate tree allometry, which allowed us to identify changes in crown allometry in mixed stands, highlighting potential niche complementarity. The allometry of giant and monumental trees contributed to a better understanding of their role in forest carbon stocks, particularly in unmanaged forests.
The project work culminated in a systematic review of the fuel consumption of forestry machines and the standardisation of protocols and tools for determining fuel consumption. Testing different methods for measuring fuel flow revealed some methods to be inaccurate, despite the use of the J1939 protocol being the CAN-BUS system the most suitable. The application in different forest types helped to identify the contribution of different management activities to the total carbon emissions of forest operations.
Our study presents how robust, multi-objective land-use portfolios change when considering time-preferences for ecosystem services. Our results indicated that multi-objective optimization is a valuable tool for public planners to fulfill famers' and policy makers' interests in modern land management.
74 staff members of the participating beneficiaries and partners have been seconded since the beginning of the project. 11 out 25 PhD students finalised their thesis within CARE4C. More than 60 scientific publications have been published. Three conferences were organised additional presentations were given at other occasions. The networking activity resulted in a follow-up MSCA ETN project (Skill-For.Action GA936355).
