There are many reasons to transform even-aged, planted monocultures of conifers into species-diverse, irregular structures. The aim is usually to achieve stands of trees ranging from young seedlings to mature stems, growing within the same space, andwhere a certain level of canopy cover is maintained in perpetuity. In comparison with even-aged planted forests, irregular forests are widely considered to: have improved stability, provide greater soil protection, enhance biodiversity, produce higher quality timber and impart greater resilience to climate change (e.g. Kenk and Guehne, 2001; Gamborg and Larsen, 2003; O’Hara et al., 2007; Lafond et al., 2014; Brang et al., 2014; Pretzsch et al., 2015; Spathelf et al. 2015). Indeed, the development of irregular selection forests (Plenterwald) in Central Europe was influenced by the high incidence of wind damage in even-aged, coniferous stands managed under the clear-cutting silvicultural systeiji (Matthews, 1991).
展开▼
