The effects of logging residue extraction for energy on ecosystem services and biodiversity: A synthesis
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We have reviewed the consequences for biodiversity and ecosystem services from the industrial-scale extraction of loresidues (tops, branches and stumps from harvested trees and small-diameter trees from thinnings) in managed forests. Logging residue extraction can be used in place of fossil fuels, and thus contribute to climate change mitigation. However, the additional biomass and nutrients removed, and soils and other structures disturbed, have several potential environmental impacts. We found 279 scientific papers that compared logging residue extraction with non-extraction, the majority of which were conducted in Northern Europe and North America. It has been found that logging residue extraction can have significant negative effects on biodiversity, especially for species naturally adapted to sun-exposed conditions and the large amounts of dead wood that are created by large-scaled forest disturbances. Slash extraction may also pose risks for future biomass production, due to the associated loss of nutrients. For water quality, reindeer herding, mammalian game species, berries, and natural heritage the results were complicated by primarily negative but some positive effects, while for recreation and pest control positive effects were more consistent. Further, there are initial negative effects on carbon storage, but these effects are transient and carbon stocks are mostly restored over decadal time perspectives. Some of the negative effects can be decreased by avoiding extraction of certain categories of residues, and forest type targeted for extraction: for instance, to minimize risks for biodiversity stump harvesting should be a low level, but for future biomass production slash extraction should be avoided in certain forest types. Compensatory measures for logging residue extraction may also be used (e.g. ash recycling, liming, fertilization), though these may also be associated with adverse environmental impacts.
Keywords: Sustainable forest management, Climate change, Biodiversity conservation
ID: 3622074