Amount, structure, and dynamics of dead wood on managed forestland in Sweden

Abstract

Dead wood is an important component of diversity in forest ecosystems. Since 1994, a nation-wide inventory for estimating the amount, structure, and dynamics of dead wood (DW), i.e. snags and logs ≥10 cm, has been conducted in Sweden. Based on data from 1994, 1995, and 1996, the average volume of DW on managed productive forestland in Sweden was estimated to be 6.1 m³/ha. The amount and structure of DW vary depending on geographical location, stand age, and forest type. The highest average volumes were found in spruce forests in northern Sweden (12.8 m³/ha). Of the total DW-volume, 73% consisted of logs and 27% of snags. The results show that forest management affects the amount of DW, i.e. clear-cut and thinning appear to reduce the amount of DW. The average annual production of DW was estimated to be 0.18 m³/ha. The study clarifies that a DW-inventory integrated within a national forest inventory is a usable tool for monitoring the amount, structure, and dynamics of DW. The results obtained are important for governmental authorities, forest companies, and NGOs, in their work towards environmental policies and objectives.