Evaluation of middle term greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation potential of birch plantations with mineral and organic soils
2021
Lazdins, A., Latvian State Forest Research Inst. Silava, Salaspils (Latvia) | Snepsts, G., Latvian State Forest Research Inst. Silava, Salaspils (Latvia) | Butlers, A., Latvian State Forest Research Inst. Silava, Salaspils (Latvia) | Purvina, D., Latvian State Forest Research Inst. Silava, Salaspils (Latvia) | Zvaigzne, Z.A., Latvian State Forest Research Inst. Silava, Salaspils (Latvia) | Licite, I., Latvian State Forest Research Inst. Silava, Salaspils (Latvia)
The study compares 9 forest management scenarios in birch plantations in cropland and grassland with mineral and organic soils. Calculation period is 40 years for all scenarios. The study proves that establishment of birch plantations leads to reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 317–1776 tons of CO2 eq. haE−1 or 7.9–44.4 tons of CO2 eq. haE−1 per year. The reduction of GHG emissions in birch plantations is significantly influenced by growth conditions – in organic soils GHG emission reduction is 6 times higher than in mineral soils. In plantations with mineral soils most of the GHG emission reductions occur during 40 years after the establishment. In organic soils GHG emission reduction continues steadily due to reduction in GHG emissions from soils compared to alternative management scenarios (grassland or cropland). Harvested wood products and the substitution effect of biofuels play an important role in reducing GHG emissions, in particular through the assumption that wood products are recycled into biofuels at the end of their useful life. Recommended type of soil preparation in the most cases is mounding, but taking into account soil scarification costs, the number of target trees in the plantation must be reduced (down to 1500 per haE−1 ). Early tending, felling of young stands and regenerative felling must also be adapted to growing conditions by managing more intensively areas with fertile soils and less intensively – plantations with poor soils. In more fertile soils higher planting density may increase CO2 removals in the middle term. When planting 1500–2000 seedlings ha E−1, moderately fertile soils ensure higher CO2 removals. According to the study results establishment of birch plantations in farmland is one of the most effective solutions for reducing GHG emissions in the land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF), as well as in agriculture sector, especially, if organic soils are afforested.
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