Browsing by discipline "Skoglig ekologi och resurshushållning"

Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis Motschulsky) is an invasive alien species native to China and Korea. Asian longhorned beetle has been established on many European countries, United States and Canada. The pathway to the new environments is typically via solid wood packing material (SWPM) which is used especially to pack stoneware. The larva lives inside the trunk and chews tunnels. These tunnels may result in loss of turgor pressure and, by implication, to loss of leaves and finally to death of the tree. Eradication of this species is complicated due to a wide range of host species. The first introduced population in Finland was discovered in October 2015 in the municipality of Vantaa, near to Helsinki. Thus, we have a lack of knowledge in its habits in Finnish circumstances. The main objective of this thesis was to specify whether the Asian longhorned beetle is established also in Helsinki and which areas would be potential habitats for this species. Because no Finnish research about this pest has been published, also a literature survey about the species is provided. Areas, where stoneware originated to Asia is stored at the moment or was stored before, were considered as a potential habitats for the Asian longhorned beetle. The observations were conducted during the summer season 2016. The potential host trees were observed with binoculars. Inspections focused on searching round exitholes typical to the Asian longhorned beetle from the trunk and the main branches. Trees with suspicious holes were felled and investigated. No Asian longhorned beetles were found. However, there are several potential areas in Helsinki. In total, 35 potential areas were inspected. These areas were rich in broadleaved trees that belong to hosts of this pest. It can be assumed that Asian longhorned beetle would not have shortage in suitable host trees. The most common inspected tree species were silver birch, dawny birch, European aspen and goat willow. Ground inspection with binoculars is a common, but unreliable method. In summer time foliage layer may obscure the visibility to the trunk and the branches. On the other hand, trees with dead branches or a lack of foliage can be easily detected and thus special effort can be used to inspect these trees. It can be suggested that at least not very old or high density populations exist in Helsinki. The best way to avoid new introductions is to favor Finnish stoneware and avoid Asian wood packing material. The treatments of SWPM should be improved to prevent further spread of these pests. The omission of treatment should never happen. One option is to replace SWPM with more secure packing materials. Also the destruction of the packing material should be carried out properly and it should not be transported for example as a firewood to summer cottages. This study was carried out together with University of Helsinki and Public Works Department of the city of Helsinki. Cooperation was done also with the Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira.

The goal of this research is to map different leadership experiences within Finnish logging companies which are constituent of a new organisation model for tree harvesting. In this model, entrepreneurs have extensive service contracts and often utilise networks of smaller labour units. Finnish harvesting companies have traditionally been small and therefore these new responsibilities can add stress. This work describes attitudes towards both leadership and leadership practices. The method used in this research is theme interviews. The interviewed entrepreneurs were participating in the Menestyvä alueyrittäjä- project. There were 15 interviewees. Interviews were recorded and the recordings added up to 25 hours. The interviews were analysed and practices and attitudes classified according to theories of leadership. The interviews revealed that the client has a big impact on the strategic choices made by these companies. The most time consuming leadership task is planning. The telephone is the most used communication device and this has not been affected by the adoption of newer IT devices. Both official and casual communication is conducted over the phone. District company leaders don’t think of themselves primarily as executives. They appreciate independence and concrete results in their work. The use of information technology is generally straightforward for them. The entrepreneurs believe that their employees particularly appreciate equality and respectful, trusting relationships. Supporting employees is seen as important and entrepreneurs want to use more time in personnel management. Most of the entrepreneurs don’t use harvesting machine data to determine their employees’ pay, although this could make supervision more efficient. More successful employees are generally better paid. According to the entrepreneurs, recruiting is difficult and good employees hard to find. The interviews in this work indicate that the most difficult aspects of leadership are personnel management and the utilisation of financial information.

With a land tenure structure dating back to the Mexican Revolution of 1910, Mexico is second only to Papua New Guinea in proportion of forest land under community ownership. While many communities have successfully formed community forestry enterprises (CFEs) producing value-added goods and generating income and social benefits for community members, many more remain minimally involved with forest management or do not harvest timber. As such, this study sought to collect and analyze the opinions and experiences of groups and individuals involved in the forest sector, with the aim of providing a greater understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the Mexican forestry model, the most important factors facilitating or undermining the development of CFEs, and opportunities for the advancement of community forestry in the future. This study is based on semi-structured stakeholder interviews which were conducted in four states with members of both harvesting and non-harvesting communities, members of Mexico's National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR) and Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), various experts with ties to the forest sector, and foresters serving the communities interviewed. The results indicate that communities face a number of significant developmental challenges. Community organization was found to be an essential internal factor, and successful CFEs have in common a strong internal cohesion and collective decision making capacity, while failure is often linked to indecision, internal divisions, or corruption. Will and ability to invest in the CFE are also crucial, and sources suggested that communities are often impeded by their lack of 'entrepreneurial mentality' when it comes to investment. For those that are interested in investing in the CFE, lack of available capital is often problematic. In part because of these challenges the Mexican forest sector relies largely on obsolete practices and technology, resulting in elevated costs of production relative to foreign competitors, and foreign competition has taken a toll on the industry in Mexico. In some areas declining industrial consumption has made it more difficult for communities to find buyers for forest products and may limit future production potential. The quality of technical services available to the communities is another factor that is both critical and inconsistent, and the important role of private foresters in aiding CFE development was emphasized by a number of sources. Government intervention has also had an important impact on the sector and CONAFOR has played a key role in its development in recent years. On the other hand, forestry is a heavily regulated activity and there appears to be a consensus that regulations could or should be simplified. It was also suggested that government agencies may not have the resources to process the paperwork they demand in a timely manner. Overall, community forestry in Mexico represents an important and environmentally sustainable source of rural livelihoods, and a great deal of potential remains for the expansion of the sector. While some challenges facing CFEs may not have clear solutions, there are some steps that could be taken to improve conditions in the future. Technological advance will be critical if Mexico is to compete on international markets, and there is work to be done both in terms of finance and in promoting 'business mentalities' and investment. Likewise, a thriving forest industry may require strong policy support from the federal government and efforts to ensure that technical services available to communities are adequate. Finally, it will be important to evaluate the regulatory balance between environmental protection and development of the sector moving forward, to create conditions that are both sustainable and conducive to growth.

Canopy interactions and their effects on the chemical composition of throughfall were studied in three plots within two forests of Taita Hills, Kenya over a period of one year. The two forests studied are hilltop forest fragments at the elevated peak of Vuria and northern and southern Ngangao. The stands represent lower evergreen rainforest and upper montane rain/cloud forest ecosystems, which are becoming increasingly vulnerable to degradation by human population growth in the area and the effects of climate change. The forest plots have recently been placed under government protection and the data in this study has been collected as part of the TAITAWATER project of the Academy of Finland. The objective of this thesis is to quantify and chemically analyze rainfall and throughfall in order to compare the canopy interactions occurring in the three study plots. Hemispherical photographs of the canopy were also taken to assess leaf area index. Tree mapping and species identification were also carried out. In an attempt to evaluate the influence that indigenous forests in the region have on fresh water availability and quality the amount, pH, and electrical conductivity of collected rainfall or throughfall was recorded weekly. Additionally, water samples were taken and analyzed for their chemical content (Total N, NH4-, NO3-, S, Cl, Ca, Mg, K, P, Na, Si, B) in a laboratory using ICP. In agreement with previous studies the data exhibits a few trends, which indicate that canopy interception and cloud drip result in higher throughfall amounts in cloud forests, particularly during drier parts of the year when heavy rain events are scarce. Canopy interactions can also alter the chemical composition of precipitation as it passes through the canopy towards the forest floor. The canopy interactions in Taita Hills enriched throughfall with nearly all solutes leading to significant increases in EC while maintaining lower pH. The canopy with a higher presence of bryophyte and lichen species showed a greater propensity to influence the nutrient fluxes of total nitrogen and phosphorus despite containing less biomass.

Forest biomass is considered as one of the most important alternative energy sources across the globe. Growing attention has been given to the studies concerning biomass and related bioenergy and biofuel, and their potential for future development. This study takes higher education as unique aspect, focusing on the awareness of Chinese university students of Forest Based Bioenergy (FBB) development and how education background / awareness may influence the FBB development in China. Since FBB is relatively a new concept in China, its development and further utilization are believed to largely relay on the matters of education, social trend and awareness. Students in higher education are considered as a special group: they may be educated related to FBB and will become the future consumers and even decision-makers. This make awareness, attitude and opinions about FBB from the students` point of view significant. A literature review was made for the background study and quantitative research, plus surveys and interviews were conducted as data collection methods. Objectives of the thesis are to study the awareness of and attitudes towards FBB among Chinese university students and if those opinions were influenced by their studies. Results indicate that education strongly affects students´ attitudes. FBB development is seen as a positive signal and students are likely to support FBB development. FBB is believed as a new trend of renewable energy development. However, FBB in China will not see a rapid booming in the near future and it has only limited impact towards the traditional fossil fuel domination, but due to its characteristics, governmental recognition and growing awareness, it certainly shall be seen as strong supporter of China´s sustainable development. It also has to be holistically utilized considering environmental, social and economic aspects, to reach its full potential and to support China´s target of sustainable energy development.

Snowmelt timing has been proven critical to the phenology in subarctic and alpine ecosystems. Nevertheless, its impacts on the phenology of dwarf-shrub-dominated vegetation on high-latitudinal Fennoscandian fells are not yet sufficiently studied. This project focusses on the divergences in phenological timings and reproductive success caused by naturally different snowmelt timings in this area. The study site was on fell Saana in northwest Finland. The data was collected from a site covering three snowmelt timings located in two aspects (fully factorial, 4 replicates) from 20th of May to 4th of September, 2015, totalling 108 days. The phenological events (e.g. leaf unfolding, anthesis, and leaf colouring) of 12 species of three growth forms (dwarf shrub, forb, and graminoid) were recorded. The statistical analyses show that different snowmelt timings result in significant differences in the time points (expressed in day of year, DOY) of peak flowering and shoot elongation, as well as the green-leaved durations (days); however, flowering duration is rather constant across snowmelt timings. Significant differences are also found in the reproductive success of several species. The results suggest that in subarctic-alpine vegetation, an earlier snowmelt timing 1) elongates the duration of vegetative growth, 2) advances the timing of peak flowering while the flowering duration remains unchanged, and 3) potentially impedes reproductive success in some species, but generally the pattern is heterogeneous. Thus, snowmelt timing is causing divergences among the phenological traits and potentially within the reproductive success of dwarf shrub species in this area. In the long term, these phenomena may impact the local biodiversity and biochemical cycles, which may be a long-term effect of the shifting snowmelt timing due to global change.

The main aim of this thesis was to study the ecosystem services provided by large-scale industrial eucalypt plantations of UPM in Paysandú region, Uruguay. In the landscape, natural pastures and forests are combined with rows of planted trees. The second aim was to study how various stakeholder groups use ecosystem services from the plantation landscape, and to what extent the rights and expectations related to their use vary among these groups. The third aim was to study the best ways to combine the production of ecosystem services with large-scale industrial tree plantations in the study area. The data used in this study consisted of 55 semi-structured interviews, which were recorded in Uruguay during summer of 2015. Among the persons interviewed, 15 people were classified as key-informants with a broad view on plantation industry in the study area. They were from educational institutions, companies, ministries and from non-governmental organizations. Based on results of the key-informants interviews, a total of 40 persons were selected for stakeholder interviews. They represented four groups; 1) cattle ranchers, 2) honey producers, 3) tree growers and 4) general public from the surrounding communities. With stakeholder interviews, the aim was to collect quantitative data with structured questionnaires. The key-informants and stakeholders were asked about the same issues, but the key-informant interviews had open questions for collecting both qualitative and quantitative data. The results of this study show that industrial tree plantation landscapes provide a plenitude of ecosystem services. However, the perceived changes in the landscape during the past ten years were in some cases more negative than positive. According to the key-informants, the most important ecosystem services provided included industrial wood, animal shelter, fodder and foods. This indicates that local livelihoods can be combined with industrial plantations and the stakeholders benefit from them in many ways. The cattle ranchers obtained mainly animal shelter and fodder. For them, also the regulation of natural hazards was important. The honey producers valued foods, pollination and biodiversity services. The tree growers valued industrial wood and, similarly as the cattle ranchers, animal shelter and fodder. For the general community, educational information was the most important service. Food, honey and mushrooms, and fuel wood were also highly valued ecosystem services. Industrial tree plantations create a wealth of ecosystem services, often with low or no cost. UPM Uruguay considers local stakeholders and their livelihoods in many ways. According to the company, the best ways to integrate industrial tree plantations and ecosystem services are already used in many parts, although there was no data disclosed about all of them. However, it seems that UPM is well aware of the local conditions. In the future, there is a need to study the monetary value and benefit sharing of ecosystem services e.g. through payments of ecosystem services schemes.

The effect of forest health and structure to the relative surface temperature captured by airborne thermal imagery was investigated in Norway Spruce-dominated stands in Southern Finland. Canopy surface temperature has long been recognized useful in monitoring vegetation water status. Recent studies have shown also its potential in monitoring vegetation health. Airborne thermal imagery, Airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and field measurements were acquired from the area of interest (AOI). The relative surface temperature correlated most negatively with the logarithm of stem volume, Lorey’s height and logarithm of basal area at resolution of 254m2 (9-m radius). In other words, taller and older stands had colder surface temperatures. In addition, LiDAR metrics, such as height percentiles and canopy cover percentage, were compared with surface temperature. Standard deviation of canopy height model, height features (H90, CHM_max) and canopy cover percentage were most strongly negatively correlated with the surface temperature. On average, higher surface temperatures were detected in defoliated canopies indicating that thermal images may provide some additional information for classifying forests health status. However, the surface temperature of defoliated plots varied considerably. It was also found that surface temperature differences between canopy and ground responses were higher in defoliated plots. Based on the results, forest health and structure affect to the surface temperature captured by airborne thermal imagery and these effects should be taken into account when developing forest health mapping applications using thermal imagery.

Sibbo storskog är ett enhetligt skogs- och jordbruksområde som täcker delar av Sibbo kommun samt Vanda och Helsingfors städer. Den privatägda marken på området används i huvudsak för aktivt jord- och skogsbruk. År 2011 inrättades Sibbo storskogs nationalpark på statsägd mark i Sibbo storskog. Nationalparken är splittrad till formen och dess läge skapar förutsättningar för stort rekreationstryck. Detta befaras leda till negativ inverkan på privatskogsbruket. Tidigare forskning om nationalparkers inverkan på omgivningen har främst fokuserat på lokalbefolkningen och närområdet som helhet. Målsättningen med denna undersökning var att ta reda på vilken inverkan Sibbo storskogs nationalpark har för specifikt de privata skogsägarna och deras verksamhet, samt hur konflikter mellan användning och skötsel av nationalparken och privatskogsbruket i Sibbo storskog kan förebyggas. Materialet samlades in med en enkät riktad till privata skogsägare i Sibbo storskog och med intervjuer med privata skogsägare i Sibbo storskog och vid Noux nationalpark. Syftet med intervjuerna i Noux var att få ett jämförande material från ett område vars läge och rekreationstryck är jämförbart med det i Sibbo storskog, men där nationalparken har existerat under en längre tid. Resultaten visar att inverkan från nationalparken förknippad med områdets användning för rekreation redan förekommit i Sibbo storskog. Hotbilder för framtiden var utöver dessa främst relaterade till utvidgning av nationalparken och planläggning av mark-användningen som ansågs försämra förutsättningarna för utövandet av normalt skogsbruk. Ca 40 % av skogsägarna ansåg att nationalparken kommer att påverka negativt på de egna skogsarbetena i framtiden. Genom att göra nationalparken enhetligare med markbyten inom Sibbo storskog eller med frivilliga skyddsavtal och försäljning av mark kan konflikter förebyggas. Ca 30 % av skogsägarna var under vissa förutsättningar intresserade av markbyten med staten. Ett förnuftigt styrande av rekreationen och information till nationalparkens besökare är andra metoder med vilka problem med områdets användning för rekreation kan förebyggas. En viktig del av konflikthanteringen utgörs av deltagande, information och kommunikation. Samarbetet mellan Forststyrelsen och privata skogsägare har kommit i gång. En stor del av konflikterna som hotar privatskogsbruket gäller dock markanvändningen utanför nationalparkens gränser och därför bör också samarbete med kommun och stad uppmuntras till.

Vieraslajien on todettu olevan uhka erityisesti ympäristölle, mutta niillä on myös merkittäviä yhteiskunnallisia, sosiaalisia ja taloudellisia vaikutuksia. Vieraslajien haitallisten vaikutusten ja torjuntatöihin käytettävien resurssien on ennustettu kasvavan tulevaisuudessa huomattavasti. Tämän vuoksi Euroopan unionissa tarvitaan unionin laajuista säätelyä ja toimintaa haitallisia vieraslajeja koskien. Tässä työssä arvioidaan, kuinka EU:n vieraslajiasetus tulee vaikuttamaan Suomeen yhteiskunnallisesti ja ympäristöllisesti. Arviot on tehty asiantuntijahaastatteluiden perusteella. EU:n vieraslajiasetuksen myötä EU-jäsenmaat alkavat seurata EU:n vieraslajiluettelon lajien levinneisyyttä, estää niiden leviämistä ja hävittää niitä. On odotettavissa, että luetteloon ei tule Suomessa merkittäviä lajeja, mikä merkitsisi vähäisiä vaikutuksia Suomessa nykyiselle ympäristölle tai yhteiskunnallisille toiminnoille ja toimijoille. Luettelon sisällöstä riippuen vaikutukset voivat kuitenkin olla myös erittäin merkittävät, tai ne voivat lisääntyä tulevaisuudessa esimerkiksi uusien invaasioiden myötä. EU:n vieraslajiasetuksen voimaantuloa seuraavina vuosina sen toimeenpano vaatii toimivaltaisilta viranomaisilta lisääntyvää työpanosta liittyen lajien seurantoihin ja selvityksiin. Tämän lisäksi saattaa tulla torjuntaan ja hävittämiseen liittyviä velvoitteita, jotka ovat riippuvaisia siitä, kuinka moni EU:n vieraslajiluettelon lajeista koskettaa Suomea. Toimivaltaisia viranomaisia lukuun ottamatta on todennäköistä, että asetuksella ei ole merkittäviä suoria vaikutuksia seuraavien vuosien aikana Suomessa. Vaikutukset integroituvat muihin tehtäviin ja toimintoihin. On todennäköistä, että joidenkin kasvien kasvatus ja myynti joudutaan lopettamaan, mutta vaikutus on tuottajille, myyjille ja kuluttajille kokonaisuutena pieni ja väliaikainen. Korvaavia lajeja otetaan käyttöön tarvittaessa. Kansalaiset osallistuvat enemmän vieraslajien vapaaehtoiseen torjuntaan ja hävittämiseen. Tiedotus vieraslajiasiasta lisääntyy monella tavoin, sekä virallisten kanavien että esimerkiksi elinkeinoelämän ja järjestöjen kautta. Jos EU:n vieraslajiluettelossa on Suomessa merkittäviä lajeja, vaikutuksia kohdistuu viranomaisten ohella esimerkiksi yrittäjille tai maanomistajille. Kustannuksia voi syntyä muun muassa hävittämisestä ja poikkeuslupakäsittelyistä. Hyödyt taas ovat esimerkiksi ympäristöllisiä ja taloudellisia. Suurin hyöty tulee ennaltaehkäistyjen ja torjuttujen haittojen kautta. Ympäristö (esimerkiksi elinympäristöt ja lajit) on merkittävin hyötyjä asetuksesta: haittojen ennaltaehkäisyllä torjutaan erityisesti monimuotoisuuden heikentymistä. Torjunnan avulla myös ekosysteemipalvelut säilyvät, ja kansalaiset hyötyvät torjutuista haitoista esimerkiksi elinkeinoelämän ja terveyden suhteen. Välillisesti hyödytään siitä, että muissa maissa tehdyt toimenpiteet vähentävät meihin kohdistuvia vieraslajiriskejä. Lisäksi tietoisuus ongelmasta ja valistus Suomessa ja ulkomailla vähentävät leviämisriskejä sekä lisäävät torjuntaa ja hävittämistä. Ajallisesti suurimmat varmat vaikutukset tulevat viiden vuoden sisällä EU:n vieraslajiasetuksen voimaantulosta. Nämä koostuvat valtion organisaatioiden valvonta- ja seurantatoimenpiteistä. Myös kokonaisuutena pieniä ja väliaikaisia haittoja voi kohdistua elinkeinoelämälle, erityisesti puutarha-alalle. Tämän lisäksi voi tulla vähäisiä hävittämis- ja torjuntatoimia. Suurimmat vaikutukset sekä ympäristöllisesti että yhteiskunnallisesti voidaan nähdä torjuttujen haittavaikutusten kautta. Yleensä etukäteen tehty torjunta on halvempaa ja helpompaa, minkä lisäksi lajeja ei välttämättä edes pystytä poistamaan enää leviämisen jälkeen. Näiden syiden vuoksi ennaltaehkäisty on erittäin tärkeää.