Authors:
Toms Zālītis, Pēteris Zālītis, Aigars Indriksons
Book:
Proceedings of the 14th International Peat Congress
Venue:
Stockholm
Keywords:
forest-drainage, norway-spruce, scots-pine, stand-productivity, transition-bog
Documentfile:
Zalitis et al 2012: Stand Structure and Productivity Dynamics in a Drained Transition Bog 50 Years After
Summary:
Theme VII. Ecology and management on forested peatlands
SUMMARY
A considerable part of nowadays productive Latvian forests are drained former wetlands. The forest drainage has proved to be the most effective method for increasing the forest productivity during the last century. We studied the dynamics of stand composition and productivity in 30 permanent sample plots located in a drained transition bog that was initially dominated by Scots pine. The results confirm that the stand productivity gradually increases and the studied sites are also suitable for growing spruce which propagates naturally after the drainage. The total standing volume in the studied sites has increased on average by 250 m3 ha-1 during the study period.