A1 Journal article (refereed)
Forest bioenergy harvesting changes carbon balance and risks biodiversity in boreal forest landscapes (2020)

Repo, A., Eyvindson, K. J., Halme, P., & Mönkkönen, M. (2020). Forest bioenergy harvesting changes carbon balance and risks biodiversity in boreal forest landscapes. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 50(11), 1184-1193. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfr-2019-0284

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Repo, Anna; Eyvindson, Kyle J.; Halme, Panu; Mönkkönen, Mikko

Journal or series: Canadian Journal of Forest Research

ISSN: 0045-5067

eISSN: 1208-6037

Publication year: 2020

Volume: 50

Issue number: 11

Pages range: 1184-1193

Publisher: Canadian Science Publishing

Publication country: Canada

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfr-2019-0284

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access:

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/69660

Abstract

Climate solutions relying on forest bioenergy may be in conflict with carbon sequestration and storage by forests as well as conservation of biodiversity. We quantified effects of forest residue harvesting for bioenergy on both forest carbon balance and biodiversity in a boreal forest landscape. Through a modeling framework we simulated forest development in four real watersheds with three scenarios: i) with and ii) without forest residue harvesting, and iii) set aside to study the conservation potential of these landscapes in the future without management. We simulated changes in the forest carbon stocks, and in the quality and the quantity of deadwood resources for 100 years and combined this information with the information on species habitat associations based on expert judgements. In this study current practices of slash and stump harvesting reduced forest carbon stocks and deadwood volumes at the landscape scale, and consequently halved the emissions savings that can be obtained with bioenergy. In addition, logging residue harvesting reduced 15-21% the combined species conservation capacity of the landscape for red-listed, saproxylic species compared to forest management without bioenergy harvesting. Furthermore, the results indicated a potential conflict between areas of high bioenergy potential and high conservation potential.

Keywords: bioenergy; forest energy; logging residue; decayed wood; carbon sequestration; biodiversity; climate changes

Free keywords: climate change mitigation; biodiversity; deadwood; logging residues; habitat requirements

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Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2020

JUFO rating: 3