EFFECTS OF INTENSIVE FOREST HARVESTING ON WATER PHENOMENA IN THE BOREAL ENVIRONMENT

Transcription

1 EFFECTS OF INTENSIVE FOREST HARVESTING ON WATER PHENOMENA IN THE BOREAL ENVIRONMENT Kubin E., Murto, T., Kokko, A. & Krecek, J. Natural Resources Institute Finland HydroEco th International Multidisciplinary Conference on Hydrology and Ecology: Advances in Monitoring, Predicting and Managing Hydroecological Processes April 2015 Vienna, Austria 1 Natural Resources Luke/2015/The original layout Tuula Aspegren Institute Finland

2 Content 1. Early-stages water quality research in forestry in Finland 2. Long term water quality monitoring 3. Forest biomass harvesting for energy and water quality 4. Snow hydrology in boreal forests 5. Conclusions and discussion 2

3 Water quality research in forestry since 1974 Timber harvesting increased in Finland strongly after the second World War At the same time in the 1960`s extensive site preparation over large areas became more common in forest regeneration Awareness of environmental problems started to increase 3

4 Finnish Forest Research Institute started water quality research in forestry at the Muhos Research Station in 1974 Key issue was the environmental effects of site preparation in forest regeneration Finnish Forest Research Institute Metla ( ) Luke Kannus 1985 Parkano 1961 Kolari 1964 Haapastensyrjä 1960 Rovaniemi 1973 Oulu 2012 Suonenjoki 1981 Vantaa 1995 Muhos Joensuu 1981 Punkaharju

5 Water quality research was started with Oulu University Experimental fields were established in co-operation with UPM Site preparation, soil and air temperature, nutrient leaching to surface water. Founded Site preparation, nutrient leaching to ground water. Founded Cleaning the sapling stand. Founded 1984 Mounding, different tree species, nutrient leaching to surface water. Founded 1986 Direct seeding with different soil treatment methods 2002 Prescribed burning o 28'N, 27 o 33 E Lysimeters Stump removal

6 6 Experimental field after site preparation Complete soil treatment

7 Site preparation increased soil temperature producing organic matter decomposition Uncut control Clearcutting Scalping Ploughing, tilt Complete soil treatment Mean of the years Keskiarvo vuosina Paltamo, Kivesvaara Paltamo, Kivesvaaara Kubin

8 Increased decomposition caused leaching, especially nitrate nitrogen NO 3 -N µg/l F C S P T F S 20 T C P T P S C P Annual results from sampling plot 7 F C 17 P T 205 P S 200 Kivesvaara experimental site T S C 1 F C P m Kubin, E Site preparation and leaching of nutrients. Earlier results from FFRI Research Papers 567 8

9 Content 1. Early-stages water quality research in forestry in Finland 2. Long term water quality monitoring 3. Forest biomass harvesting for energy and water quality 4. Snow hydrology in boreal forests 5. Conclusions and discussion 9

10 The 40 th years anniversary Sample plot 7 in June 2014 NO 3 -N µg/l th years anniversary sampling! First thinning 2011 Kubin, E Site preparation and leaching of nutrients. Earlier results ( ) published in FFRI Research Papers

11 Kivesvaara experimental field First thinning Photo E. Kubin Photo P. Savilampi 11

12 In 1985 the study continued by monitoring groundwater quality after cutting and waste wood harvesting Clearcutting 1986 Waste not collected Hautala Uncut control 50 Pahalouhi Shelter-wood cutting Clearcutting and ploughing Clearcutting 1986 Waste collected Sampling of surface water Groundwater well Waste not collected Clear cutting 1986 Waste collected Ploughing 1986 Uncut control Seed-tree cutting + harrowing Seed-tree cutting Uncut control Groundwater well 12

13 NO 3 N µg/l Clearcutting: Waste not collected Uncut control Nitrate leaching to the groundwater was again observed to be long lasting, over 25 years Waste collected Uncut control Clearcutting 1986 Waste not collected Uncut control Clearcutting and ploughing Clearcutting 1986 Waste collected Sampling of surface water Groundwater well 300 Clearcutting: year 13

14 Less leaching after natural regeneration Uncut control Shelterwood cutting No site preparation after seed tree cutting After seed tree cutting and harrowing

15 Content 1. Early-stages water quality research in forestry in Finland 2. Long term water quality monitoring 3. Forest biomass harvesting for energy and water quality 4. Snow hydrology in boreal forests 5. Conclusions and discussion 15

16 Forest area in % of land area, 2010 State of Europe s Forest 2011 Finland Sweden Slovenia Bosnia and Herzegovina Latvia Spain Estonia Russian Federation Montenegro Greece Austria Liechtenstein FYR of Macedonia Croatia Belarus Cyprus Norway Slovakia Georgia Portugal Albania Italy Bulgaria Lithuania Serbia Andorra Czech Republic Luxemburg Switzerland France Germany Poland Romania Turkey Belgium Hungary Ukraine Denmark Republic of Moldova United Kingdom Ireland Netherlands

17 EU targets for renewable energy in 2020 Sweden Latvia Austria Portugal Denmark Slovenia Estonia Romania Franca Lithuania Spain Germany Greece Italy Ireland Bulgaria UK Poland Netherlands Slovakia Belgium Cyprus Hungary Czech Republic Luxembourg Malta 0 % 10 % 20 % 30 % 40 % 50 % 60 % Share of renewables in 2005 Increase required by 2020 Source: Renewables Directive (Directive 2009/28/EC 2009),

18 Annual use of forest chips and the goal 2020 in Finland 1000 m 3 Source: Finnish Statistical Yearbook of Forestry

19 Harvested stumps are relatively new raw material for energy in power plants m Stumps consumption in heating and power plants Source: Finnish Statistical Yearbook of Forestry 2014

20 Stump harvesting increased and study on environmental effects became necessary 20

21 Long-term groundwater monitoring at Kivesvaara site was the basis for the new study on water effects of stump harvesting 21

22 Stump harvesting research areas were selected after scanning of groundwater table with radar The beginning of the radar line The end of the radar line Ground Water table Groundwater wells Bedrock surface The limits of the trial plots Radar makes possible to distinguish different layers of soil, the level of water table, the segmentation of the material in the area, the roughness of the soil type and often also the bedrock surface 22

23 Groundwater wells were placed before the cutting 23

24 The study areas of the effects of stump harvesting on groundwater quality New research in Finnish Forest Research Institute (2007 ) Catchments: Oijusluoma and Katajavaara Northern Finland (Paltamo) Middle Finland (Längelmäki) Financed also by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Southern Finland (Anjalankoski) New information for science, forestry practice and policy makers 24

25 Photos from experimental sites Uncut forest Clear cutting Harvesting of logging residue Stump removal 25

26 The stumps were charted before uplifting: Längelmäki Experimental Area, Block No. 1, Experiment Member No. 6. Spruce 2 spruces, dead 3 silver birches 2 grey alder Goat willow Corners 26

27 Disturbed soil surface after stump harvesting Paltamo, Kivesvaara 751, rikkoontuneen maanpinnan määrä yksittäin nostetuilla kannoilla m 2 amount of disturbed soil surface Rikkoontunut p-ala linear (amount of disturbed soil surface) Lin. (Rikkoontunut p-ala) Paltamo The Kannon diament läpimitta of the stump (cm) 27

28 Remaining and harvested waste wood Dry weight, kg/ha Computed amount (Hakkila 1991) Measured kg/ha Waste not collected Treatments 2 and 3 Waste collected 70 % Treatments 4 and 5 All waste collected Treatments 6 28

29 Research work on the experimental sites 29

30 Groundwater: Altogether 12 elements (NO 3 -N, NH 4 -N, Total P, K, Al, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Mg, Ca, Na), ph and electricity were measured since 2007 Leaching of nitrate nitrogen is the most important from measured elements. Statistical analysis of the whole material will be done at the end of study period 30

31 Layout of the experimental area of Paltamo in the Northern Finland Uncut forest (control) Clear-cut, no restocking Catchment Oijusluoma Northern Finland (Paltamo) Conventional cutting Clear-cut with 70 % logging residue removal Middle Finland (Längelmäki) Southern Finland (Anjalankoski) Clear-cut with 70 % logging residue and stump removal retaining 25 stumps/ha All stumps and waste wood 31

32 Nitrate nitrogen leaching into the groundwater; stump uplifting spring 2008 (study area Anjalankoski). 1. Uncut control, 3. Conventional cutting 4. Clear-cut with 70 % logging residue removal 5. Clear-cut with 70 % logging residue and stump removal retaining 25 stumps/ha 6. All stumps and waste wood harvested 32

33 Catchment areas were also included to the study Oijusluoma Clearcutting and stump removal 2010, patch moundíng and spruce planting 2011 Katajavaara 33

34 Data collecting from catchment areas 34

35 Ammonium nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen concentrations in the water samples of Oijusluoma catchment area No. 1 in Total nitrogen and total phosphorus concentrations in the water samples of Oijusluoma catchment area No. 1 in

36 Stump harvesting has advantages and problems Examples of advantages Renewable energy Creating jobs, strengthens the local economy Reducing dependence on imported fossil energy High energy density and good reserve supply Facilitates land preparation Reduces the occurrence of spruce and pine root rot Examples of problems Consequences in the long term, e.g. nutrient stock? Reduces the amount of dead wood Reduces the amount of carbon stored in forest soils Can increase saplings spread on clearings; higher management costs Soil and stones in chip making 36

37 Content 1. Early-stages on water quality research in forestry in Finland 2. Long term water quality monitoring 3. Forest biomass harvesting for energy and water quality 4. Snow hydrology in boreal forests 5. Conclusions and discussion 37

38 38

39 Water is stored over the winter in the form of snow and release in a pulse during the spring melt Smelting effects on soil moisture, flooding, and ground water 39

40 In the northern part of boreal zone snow is melting very quickly mm snow depth Paljakka experimental forest (350 m a.s.l.) water content Mean Winter

41 Rapid smelt; flooding, groundwater 41

42 Etäisyys maanpinnasta cm Distance from the ground, cm Kivesvaara Groundwater table is moving continuously up and down; down during the snow period Kivesvaaran pohjaveden keskisyvyys vuosina touko.78 touko.79 touko.80 touko.81 touko.82 touko.83 touko.84 touko.85 hakkuu The average depth of groundwater in May Cutting touko.86 touko.87 touko.88 touko.89 touko.90 touko.91 touko.92 touko.93 touko.94 touko.95 touko.96 touko.97 touko.98 touko.99 touko.00 touko.01 touko.02 touko.03 touko.04 Pahalouhi Pahalouhi Hautala Hautala

43 Hautala mean groundwater depth in Groundwater Groundwater table table increased increases after after clearcutting cutting Clearcutting 43

44 Content 1. Early-stages water quality research in forestry in Finland 2. Long term water quality monitoring 3. Forest biomass harvesting for energy and water quality 4. Snow hydrology in boreal forests 5. Conclusions and discussion 44

45 In Finland and Sweden we now pay much attention to stump harvesting Conference on "Tree stump harvesting and its environmental consequences" was just organized by two big Swedish projects (Stockholm, Sweden, the 26 th of March 2015) 45

46 In Finland we have now presented big stump harvesting project; Organization of the project data and metadata Research plans Forming study areas Scientific and other publications Memos and statemant Logging residues Stumps Vegetation Standing crop Soil Calculation results Analysis and calculation results Reports and announcements Groundwater data Concentration analysis Project 3475 & 7421 Measures data, analysis and results Presentations and grapic elements Maps Thesis Photographs Catchment data Vegetation Plant data Weather data Carbon data Analysis and calculation results Research results, publications and presentations 2010 Www site updating

47 Media has paid a much attention to our research: TV, radio, newspapers and magazines 47

48 Scientific papers Huusko, K., Tarvainen, O., Saravesi, K., Pennanen, T., Fritze, H., Kubin, E. & Markkola, A Short-term impacts of energy wood harvesting on ectomycorrhizal fungal communities of Norway spruce saplings. The ISME Journal 9: Tarvainen, O., Hekkala, A-M., Kubin, E., Tamminen, P., Murto, T. & Tolvanen, A. Soil disturbance and vegetation resilience after varying intensity of energy wood harvest. Accepted to Forest Ecology and Management. Kubin, E Long-term effects of silvicultural practices on groundwater quality in boreal forest environment. In: Krecek, J., Haigh, M., Hofer, Th., Kubin, E. (eds.) Management of Mountain Watersheds. p Kubin, E. & Krecek, J Impact of forestry practices on groundwater qulity in the boreal environment. In: Taniguchi, M., Burnett, W. C., Fukushima, Y, Haigh, M. & Umezawa, Y. From Headwaters to the Ocean. Hydrological changes and management. pp Kubin, E Leaching of nitrate nitrogen into the groundwater after clear felling and site preparation. Boreal Environment Research 3(3): 3-8. Research papers and manuscripts Kubin, E., Hartman, M., Ilvesniemi, H., Lindgren, M., Kokko, A., Murto, T., Pasanen, J., Piispanen, J., Pohjola, S., Seppänen, R., Tarvainen, O., Tillman-Sutela, E. & Tolvanen, A. On the Ecological and Silvicultural Effects of Stump Extraction and Recovery of Felling Residues (3475) Establishing of Experimental Fields and Results Obtained. Manuscript. 43 p. Kubin, E., Murto, T., Kokko, A., Seppänen, R. & Kremsa, J Kantojen noston ja hakkuutähteiden keruun valuma-aluetasoiset vaikutukset koekenttien perustaminen ja alustavia tuloksia. In: Asikainen, A., Ilvesniemi, H. & Muhonen, T. (toim.). Bioenergiaa metsistä. Tutkimus- ja kehittämisohjelman keskeiset tulokset. Metlan työraportteja / Working Papers of the Finnish Forest Research Institute 289: Kubin, E., Murto, T., Seppänen, R. & Kokko, A Kantojen noston pohjavesi- ja valuma-aluevaikutukset. Hankkeen loppuraportti. Moniste 20 s. Kubin, E., Krecek, J., Kremsa, J. and Murto, T Impact of forestry practices on water resources recharge in the boreal environment. Abstract of 4th International Multidisciplinary conference on Hydrology and Ecology: Emerging patterns, breakthroughts and challenges. Rennes, France, May. Kubin, E., Krecek, J., Kremsa, J. and Murto, T. Effects of intensive biomass harvesting on water quality in the boreal forest environment. Absract of IVth International Conference Forest and Water Smardzewice, Poland October p. 58. Kubin, E Long-term effects of clear cutting and intensive biomass harvesting on the nitrogen leaching to groundwater in the boreal forest environment. Geophysical Research Abstracts. Vol. 15, ECU European Geosciences Union General Assembly Assembly. Vienna Kremsa, J., Kubin, E., Křeček, J. & Murto, T Effects of whole-tree harvest on hydrological processes in the boreal environment. Hydrology Research, NHC 2012 Special Issue. Submitted manuscript. Kubin, E., Hartman, M., Ilvesniemi, H., Lindgren, M., Kokko, A., Murto, T., Pasanen, J., Piispanen, J., Pohjola, S., Seppänen, R., Tarvainen, O., Tillman-Sutela, E. & Tolvanen, A Kantojen noston ja hakkuutähteiden keruun ekologiset ja metsänhoidolliset vaikutukset (3475). Koekenttien perustaminen ja tuloksia. Metlan työraportteja / Working Papers of the Finnish Forest Research Institute s. Ilvesniemi, H., Hartman, M., Hytönen, J., Laurén, A., Kaila, A., Kantola, M., Kiikkilä, O., Kremsa, J., Kubin, E., Lindgren, M., Lindroos, A.-J., Moilanen, M., Murto, T., Nieminen, M., Nieminen, T.M., Penttilä, T., Piispanen, J., Saarsalmi, A., Smolander, A., Tamminen, P. & Ukonmaanaho, L Energiapuun korjuun vaikutukset metsiin ja vesistöihin. Julkaisussa: Asikainen, A., Ilvesniemi, H., Sievänen, R., Vapaavuori, E. & Muhonen, T. (toim.). Bioenergia, ilmastonmuutos ja Suomen metsät. Metlan työraportteja / Working Papers of the Finnish Forest Research Institute 240: Kubin, E., Křeček, J., Kremsa, J. & Murto, T Hydrological effects of intensive biomass harvesting and snow melting. In: Kamula, R., Klöve, B. & Arola, H. (eds.). Catchment Restoration and Water Protection. Nordic Water 2012, XXVII Nordic Hydrological Conference, Oulu, Finland August, Abstracts. Oulu. p. 83. Kubin, E., Murto, T. & Kremsa, J Intensive biomass harvesting - leaching of nutrients and hydrological processes. In: Kamula, R., Klöve, B. & Arola, H. (eds.). Catchment Restoration and Water Protection. Nordic Water 2012, XXVII Nordic Hydrological Conference, Oulu, Finland August, Abstracts. Oulu. p. 84. Kokko, A Kantojen ja hakkuutähteiden korjuun vaikutus veden laatuun. Opinnäytetyön työpäiväkirja. 60 s. Kubin, E., Murto, T., Piispanen, J. & Kremsa, J Leaching of nitrogen into the groundwater after clear cutting and planting compared with natural regeneration and stump harvesting. Tree-stumps for bioenergy - harvesting techniques and environmental consequences. International symposium at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Uppsala, Sweden. October 24-26, Kubin, E., Ilvesniemi, H., Hartman, M., Tolvanen, A., Piispanen, J., Tarvainen, O., Tillman-Sutela, E., Murto, T. and Kremsa, J Experimental research on stump and waste wood harvesting. Tree-stumps for bioenergy - harvesting techniques and environmental consequences. International symposium at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Uppsala, Sweden. October 24-26, Huusko, K., Tarvainen, O., Saravesi, K., Pennanen, T., Fritze, H., Markkola, A. M. & Kubin, E Impacts of harvesting stumps and logging residues on mycorrhizal fungal communities of Picea abies saplings. Roots 2011 Workshop. Joensuu, Finland,13 14 December Working Papers of the Finnish Forest Re-search Institute 214, p. 34. Hartman, M., Murto, T. & Ilvesniemi, H The effect of clear-cutting and whole-tree harvesting on soil CO2 respiration. Julkaisussa: Soinne, H., Kähkönen, M., Merilä, P., Rankinen, K., Salo, T. & Hänninen, P. (toim.). Mieli maassa - maa mielessä. VI Maaperätieteiden päivien abstraktit. Pro Terra 52: Kubin, E. & Křeček, J Impact of forestry practices on groundwater quality in the boreal environment. In: Taniguchi, M., Burnett, W.C., Fukushima, M., Haigh, M. & Umezawa Y. (eds.). From Headwaters to the Ocean. CRC Press. p Seppänen, R., Murto, T., Pasanen J. & Kubin E Latvusmassan korjuu päätehakkuualoilta. Moniste 19 s. Pasanen, J., Seppänen, R. & Keskitalo, A Kantojen noston ja hakkuutähteiden keruun ekologiset ja metsänhoidolliset vaikutukset. Raportti koekenttien perustamisvaiheista s. Kubin, E. & Keskitalo, A Kantojen noston ja hakkuutähteiden keruun ekologiset ja metsänhoidolliset vaikutukset. Julkaisussa: Piiroinen, M.-L., Murtovaara, I., Kotikangas-Venäläinen, S. & Wallin, E. (toim.). Muhoksen toimintayksikkö. Vuosikertomus Metla, s Kubin, E. & Krecek, J Impact of forestry practices on groundwater qulity in the boreal environment. In: Programme & Abstracts. Conference on Hydrological changes and management from headwater to the ocean - HydroChange 2008, 1st 3rd October, 2008 Kyoto Garden Palace, Kyoto, Japan. p

49 Scientific papers 4 (3 under the work) Research papers 20 Posters 16 Talks 32 Radio, television and newspaper interviews 16 Doctoral and other theses, going on and ready 5 49

50 Research group Natural Resources Institute Finland Prof. Anne Tolvanen Prof. Hannu Ilvesniemi Ph.D. Oili Tarvainen Researcher Markus Hartman Forestry Engineer Seppo Pohjola Forestry Engineer Jorma Pasanen Forestry Engineer, Co-ordinator Ari Kokko Research Assistant Reijo Seppänen Forest management supervisor Tanja Murto, Metsähallitus Ph.D. student Jiri Kremsa, Czech Technical University in Prague 50

51 Research was carried out on mineral soil sites in mature spruce stands Leaching of elements increased in all treatments compared with uncut control or natural regeneration Increasing of biomass harvesting caused less nitrogen leaching compared with conventional cutting Nitrogen concentrations remained below the risk level for drinking water To continue monitoring after stump harvesting is necessary to confirm the results; biological processes in soil are depending e.g. on temperature and precipitation 51

52 52 Photo Eero Kubin