Management of mixed species forest stands offers many advantages for the range of ecosystem services currently in the focus in Europe. We are currently studying the growth and management of even-aged mixed stands. Increasing interest for uneven-aged management across Europe makes it necessary to extend our knowledge about the effects of different forest structures to mixed forests that are uneven-aged and rich in vertical structure.
We are particularly focusing on the growth of trees in these stand types and how growth and yield is affected by different thinning intensities. Thinning and selective cuttings change species composition, affect growth, and change stand structure. This important management action can therefore have substantial consequences for the ecosystem services provided by uneven-aged mixed forests.
We will use records from long-term sample plots as well as temporary sample plots to study growth and yield and how it is affected by thinning and selective cutting. We will also use terrestrial 3D laser scanning to describe tree crowns in order to better understand the underlying mechanisms causing stem growth reactions to thinning.