%0 Research article
%T Does conversion of even-aged, secondary coniferous forests affect carbon sequestration? A simulation study under changing environmental conditions
%A Seidl, Rupert
%A Rammer, Werner
%A Lasch, Petra
%A Badeck, Franz-Werner
%A Lexer, Manfred J.
%D 2008
%J Silva Fennica
%V 42
%N 3
%R doi:10.14214/sf.243
%U https://silvafennica.fi/article/243
%X To circumvent problems associated with even-aged, pure coniferous stands  propagated outside their natural range alternative management  strategies and conversion programs are currently discussed in Central  Europe. However, a mainstreaming of such adapted silvicultural systems  with climate change mitigation objectives is missing to date. In this  study the objective was to assess in situ C storage under conditions of  climate change in a secondary Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.)  forest management unit in Austria. Four management strategies (Norway  spruce age class forestry, transition to continuous cover forestry with  Norway spruce, conversion to mixed conifer/broadleaved stands, no  management) were investigated under current climate and two transient  climate change scenarios in a simulation study. By comparing the results  of two independent forest ecosystem models (PICUS v1.41, 4C) applied  under identical forcings and boundary conditions we aimed at addressing  uncertainties in model-based projections. A transition to continuous  cover forestry increased C storage in all climate scenarios (+45.4 tC·ha<sup>–1</sup> to +74.0 tC·ha<sup>–1</sup> over the 100 year analysis period) compared to the approximately  balanced C budget under the age class system. For the mixed  conifer/broadleaved management variant predictions of the two models  diverged significantly (+29.4 tC·ha<sup>–1</sup> and –10.6 tC·ha<sup>–1</sup> in PICUS and 4C respectively, current climate). With regard to climate  change impacts both models agreed on distinct effects on productivity  but lower sensitivity of C stocks due to compensation from respiration  and adaptive harvest levels. In conclusion, considering the potential  effects of silvicultural decisions on C stocks climate change mitigation  should be addressed explicitly in programs advocating targeted change  in management paradigms.