title: Logging residue removal after thinning in boreal forests: long-term impact on the nutrient status of Norway spruce and Scots pine needles.
abstract: The aim of this study was to compare how conventional stem harvesting (CH) and whole-tree harvesting (WTH) in the first, and in some cases also in the second, thinning affect the needle nutrient status of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) stands in Finland. A series of 12 long-term field experiments was studied. The experiments were established during 1978-86. The effects of logging residue removal after thinnings on the needle nutrient concentrations were generally minor and without any overall trends, but there were differences between experiments. Trees tend to maintain their current needle nutrient concentrations at the same level by re-utilizing the nutrients stored in the older tissues and by changing C allocation in the whole tree. Thus, needle analysis should be combined with stem growth data in order to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of the effects of WTH on the nutrient status of trees.
authors.affiliation: Finnish Forest Research Institute, FI-01301 Vantaa, Finland. jukka.luiro@metla.fi
authors.forename: Jukka
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Luiro
authors.forename: Mikko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kukkola
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saarsalmi
authors.forename: Pekka
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tamminen
authors.forename: Heljä-Sisko
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Helmisaari
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D003081:Cold Climate; D017753:Ecosystem; D005387:Finland; D008672:Metals, Alkali / Q000032:analysis; D008673:Metals, Alkaline Earth / Q000032:analysis; D028222:Picea / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D028223:Pinus / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000502:physiology*; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000254:growth & development; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis; D014197:Trees / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D008672:Metals, Alkali; D008673:Metals, Alkaline Earth; D012987:Soil; D012822:Silicon Dioxide