How to balance forestry and biodiversity conservation – A view across Europe
‘Gut Poitschach’ – Nature-based forestry with single tree fellings
E. Senitza
Gut Poitschach, private owner and manager, Austria
C 19
< Fig. C 19.1. Light and shadow – both serve biodiversity (Photo: Eckart Senitza).
Context, legal frame, and ownership structure
The private forest enterprise of ‘Gut Poitschach’ is located in the centre of Carinthia (Kärnten), one of Austrians federal states (Bundesland) in the south
of the Alps with borders to Slovenia and Italy. The estate Gut Poitschach has been owned and man- aged by the same family (Senitza) for five genera- tions. The enterprise covers about 840 ha of pro- ductive forest at an elevation between 600 and 1200 m a.s.l. Forestry is one branch of a broad
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Austria
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Table C 19.1. General information on the Gut Poitschach.
Forest community Mixed mountain forests with spruce (Picea abies), beech (Fagus sylvatica), silver fir (Abies alba), larch (Larix decidua), pine (Pinus sylvestris), and several broadleaves
Total forest area 852 ha
Organisational structure 2 forest districts – 60 % of one forester (40 % external work) forested
Ownership Private property
Main management types Selection cutting system with single tree selection
Total volume > 400 m³/ha
Annual growth 10 m³/ha
Annual harvested volume 7–8 m³/ha
Deadwood (standing and lying) No inventory yet, many biotope trees (mainly old beech)
Altitude Between 580–1200 m
Climate Moderate climate of the southern intermediate alps, annual precipitation 1200 mm
Geology and soil types Quartzphyllite and mica slate, Quaternary, bogs – Soil types mainly brown earth to podzol
Protected area (total) Over 5 ha swamps and bogs and surrounding forest protected by own decision
Nature protection area (Natura 2000) No
Protective function Protection forest 75 ha
Statement
“Light and shadow – both serve biodiversity.”
mixed enterprise; the other branches include, farm- ing, hunting, a fishery, energy production, renting/
leasing of flats and industrial buildings (former pulpmill, sawmill, etc., timber logistics and trans- port, and an office for forestry consulting. The property area has been extended step-by-step with acquisitions of forest and farmland (1885–1989) of the former iron processing industries and is in one family’s hands just since about 100 years. Since World War II, forestry has become the main income source of Gut Poitschach. Because of the favoura- ble terrain conditions and the intensive system of
tractor and skidding trails, logging can mainly be done by tractor and cable winches. Around 80 % of the annual harvesting and maintenance work can be done with four forest workers that are employed on the estate. Since 2015, management interven- tions have aimed to encourage natural regenera- tion and a more diverse forest structure. The selec- tion and harvesting of trees depend on market conditions and the individual maturity of the single trees. The entity aims at promoting a (semi-)auto- matic wood production, where the need for plant- ing, plant protection, and tending of young stands
Timber/Biomass
Non-timber products
Erosion
Protection
Biodiversity Recreation
Landscape Climate Groundwater
C 19 Poitschach, Austria
is minimised as much as possible. However, no gen- eral formula will work as the changing site condi- tions require a differentiation in treatment and management. Finally, the timber is sold according to a diversified assortment made up of: large-diam- eter timber, long lengths of wood for construction, high- and low-quality roundwood (fig. C 19.2), and also thin stems. Timber is sold to about ten small- and medium-sized sawmills of the region. Silver fir (Abies alba), larch (Larix decidua) and pine (Pinus sylvestris) are sold separately to specialists.
Portrait
“The forest will stay in the main focus as a man- aged ecosystem for the production of timber, pro- viding biodiversity and recreational amenity as the basis for new economic opportunities”.
Forest history and cultural heritage
The historical context of the enterprise and of the forest utilisation and the changing framework has had a strong influence on the forest development and current forest composition and structure. The history of the forest area dates back to before 1600, when iron processing developed into an important activity; key factors for this development were the availability of energy from charcoal and mechani- cal hydropower. This led to clearcutting of forests in the area with corresponding development of
low growing stocks. In addition, many forest areas were characterised by use as woodland pasture and litter use; consequently, the sites became impover- ished. From 1880 onwards, the conversion from iron processing to the production of paper and cardboard took place and in 1890 and especially around 1920 the hydroelectric power stations were expanded and equipped according to the state-of- the-art of that time. In 2003 they were completely renovated and equipped with electronic control and monitoring.
From 1920 onwards, many acquisitions were made and around 120 ha of former agricultural land (grassland and arable land) were bought up and afforested (fig. C 19.4). Of course, these areas were also not built up in a near-natural way. With intensive use in the period between the two world wars, the stock had fallen to an average of around 150 m³/ha in 1951. Since that time, stocks have been continuously built up and forest stands have been systematically improved. By the 1940s, the grandfather of the current owner had already rec- ognised the importance of ecology in the forest and so many of the looted stands were under- planted with beech and enriched with a mixture of other broadleaf and coniferous species. Until 1992, between 3000–7000 m³ of wood were harvested annually and the stock had gradually increased to an average of 290 m³/ha. The objective at that time was to achieve an average stock of about 330 m³/
ha. The following inventories confirm that stocks increased to around 320 m³/ha in 2001 and to an average of 420 m³/ha by 2016.
Fig. C 19.2. From trees to saw logs to quality sawn wood – product cycle (Photos: Eckart Senitza).
How to balance forestry and biodiversity conservation – A view across Europe
This means that the original target has already been exceeded, and the question now is how to manage the forest on a permanent basis, and how to adjust to an appropriate average harvesting level in order to ensure constant stock renewal.
About 100 years ago, farmland was planted mainly by Norway spruce and transformed into forest. As a consequence, there were several large clearcuts between 1850 and 1930 to supply the pulp and papermills. Up until 1975 the enterprise also ran its own sawmill. Since that time, forest management has been carried out using natural regeneration and supplementary planting and, since 1992, there has been no clearcutting.
Aims of the enterprise
The objectives in forest management are to estab- lish stable, resilient, and highly productive forest stands with maximum flexibility of harvesting in the time distribution and yearly amount of harvest- ing.
The aim was to achieve the best possible rationali- sation of forest management:
– Through further use of natural regeneration, the annual number of planted trees could be reduced to about 3000; a saving of about € 5–7per sold m³. The planted trees are moCtly mixed tree
Fig. C 19.3. Forest growth classes from 1992 and 2015.
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
1991 (294 m³/ha) 2015 (420 m³/ha)
Gap/open areas Regeneration Initial phase Early optimum Medium optimum Late optimum Terminal Phase Two layer phase Plenter phase
Fig. C 19.4. Historical map on the left of one forest district (about 1860) shows high portions of arable land (beige) and pastures (light green) which is now forest. The individual tree height model on the right, generated from LIDAR data shows diverse tree height structure as a result of selection fellings. Yellow, rose and green areas are the last plantations (green under 20 m height former pasture), and there is a gradient from blue (mid-size trees) to brown (taller trees); the darker colours indicate taller trees. The black indicates trees with a height >40 m and most have been harvested since the data was collected (Map by Gut Poitschach).
C 19 Poitschach, Austria
species, which are planted in small disturbance areas (after windthrow, bark beetles, snow break) to supplement natural regeneration. In this way, it has been possible to largely retain the proportion of larch and pine as light-demanding tree species.
– The spectrum of mixed tree species was largely preserved and even significantly expanded. The proportion of spruce (Picea abies) is about 70 %.
The proportion of fir and, especially sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), has increased, especially in the younger stands. Unfortunately, the recent loss of ash (Fraxinus excelsior) because of ‘ash dieback’ (caused by Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) has led to a narrowing of the tree species spec- trum.
– By shifting the age classes of the main stands to higher proportions under constant use within these stands, an automatic stand renewal could be achieved. The cost-intensive tending of young stands could be significantly reduced. In contrast, the proportion of stocks over 60 years of age has now increased from 20 % to 60 % (fig. C 19.3).
– In the growth classes, the proportion of ‘young growth/pole wood’ classes has been reduced from 32 % to 18 % and the proportion of ‘tree wood (Baumholz >20cm)/uneven-aged stands’
has increased from 38 % to 55 %.
– The proportion of already regenerated stands has increased from 25 % of the total forest area in 1992 to 52 % in 2016. Thus, the insurance for possible damaging events is already established.
– Today forestry is the most important economic activity of the enterprise: on the forest area of 840 ha an annual harvest of 4000 to 5500 m³ is cut. These fellings are thinnings and small-scale or single cuttings of mature trees. Forest regen- eration occurs naturally where possible and is sometimes complemented with plantings on small disturbed areas.
– With regard to the species composition, spruce is dominant (74 %), but there is also fir, pine, larch, and especially beech, sycamore maple, and ash according to the site conditions.
Management
Within the forest enterprise the growing stock of former young stands of lower stockings (1951:
growing stock 150 m³/ha) has been transformed
within three manager generations (about 50 years) into a forest with a diverse structure and high growing stock (mean stocking: 420 m³/ha). Years of massive snow break (1975 + 1979: 20 000 m³) and windthrow (1990: 6000 m³, 1998: 7500 m³) have partly destroyed the stands, but often irregular thinning has provided the impulse for more diverse stand structure.
Fig. C 19.5. Self-differentiation of young trees in light patches (Photo: Eckart Senitza).
Fig. C 19.6. Silver fir needs deer populations to be controlled (Photo: Eckart Senitza).
How to balance forestry and biodiversity conservation – A view across Europe
Economy
Since 1945, the proportion of sawlogs (>20 cm) has increased from the original 35 % to over 80 % com- pared to pulpwood and low-diameter logs. Among the harvested assortments, the share of large (>45 cm) and long timber (5–9 m) has stabilised at about 15–20 %. These assortments usually have a premium of 5–10 % above the normal timber price.
In addition, special assortments of larch, silver fir, and spruce for log-house construction or other con- struction purposes are offered on a case-by-case basis. By shifting to the harvest of large-diameter timber, in favourable cases the costs for timber har- vesting and transport (by chainsaw, tractor and cable winch up to the forest road) are about 15–18 €/m³.
There is a comprehensive network of forest roads for trucks of around 65 m/ha and additional network of haulage routes for tractors of about 60 m/ha. These are the prerequisites for small-scale silviculture and also for avoiding soil damage in the stands. In this case the important lever are cost reduction through natural regeneration (figs C 19.6 and C 19.7), self-differentiation to avoid pruning
and thinning operations (fig. C 19.5) and the piece per part momentum for harvesting costs, logging and loading for transport, and revenue increase by the shift of assortments to higher diameter classed and special assortments with better prices.
There are more than 400 permanent sample plots and the area is inventoried every decade with additional support of growth models for simula- tion of increment.
Because of the wide range of business activities (forestry, agriculture, rental, energy production, timber trade, and forest consultancy services for external customers), the proportion of income from the forest has been reduced to around 50 %. Ser- vice sectors now account for around one third of turnover.
Factors affecting the economic success include the good location, relatively favourable sites with a low proportion of terrain requiring use of cable cranes, and an average/good water supply. Other reasons are motivated employees who, in collabo- ration with external service providers, ensure effi- cient and largely damage-free timber harvesting (fig. C 19.11). Flexibility in terms of the timing and quantity of timber harvesting is also important.
Fig. C 19.7. Uneven patches of shadow and light provide high structural differentiation (Photo: Eckart Senitza).
C 19 Poitschach, Austria
Ownership structure
As mentioned, the forest of Gut Poitschach is now in the hands of the fifth generation of the family.
The last owners were grandfather, father, and grandson. A further handover is pending. The pay- ment of the heirs and further financial burdens always pose new challenges. Close and good rela- tions with the immediate neighbours and local partners are very important. Local demand for fire- wood and other forest products (e.g. resin use for larch – today for wellness products, larch oil for sauna etc.) can also be met.
Most important services/products
The most important products are sawlogs from spruce (fig. C 19.9), but also from fir and larch, mainly for the regional market. It is particularly important to note that solid construction timber of larger dimensions is also needed, especially for roof renovations of churches and old houses in Italy.
Specialities/Rarities
There is a high diversity (with respect to stand struc- ture and species composition) of forest sites over a wide range of altitudes from 600 m.a.sl. to 1200 m.a.sl.. In particular, dry sites at about 1100 m.a.sl. are an example of a rare habitat. There are also some very old beech stands. Species-rich swamp areas with various Sphagnum species and insectivorous plants have been voluntarily included in a protection and maintenance programme. A 10-ha lake is a natural jewel and is managed as part of a strongly ecologically-oriented fishing opera- tion.
Nature conservation
Even without a prescribed nature conservation con- cept, old trees, especially old beech and other broadleaved trees, have been left in the forest areas for 50 years until they die naturally, and grad- ually decompose. Branches and tree-tops always remain scattered in the stand after harvesting and they form another component of deadwood, in addition to the stumps. On the edges of the former
agricultural areas, numerous old trees have also been left, mainly oaks (Quercus spp.) (fig. C 19.9), sycamores, and also ashes. These provide further small biotopes for bats and rare bird species.
During the construction of the tractor tracks, small ponds, or wetland biotopes have been cre- ated at suitable locations (fig. C 19.10). Forest edges are left stepped and the edges and slopes of the forest roads offer additional niches and small biot- opes. Hazel grouse (Tetrastes bonasia) is common, but capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) is unfortunately rare, although special biotope maintenance has also been carried out to create capercaillie-suitable habitat in the appropriate locations. In the forest, there are several species of woodpecker, including black woodpecker (Dryocopus martius), and great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major), as well as hobby (Falco subbuteo) and several species of owls (e.g. Glaucidium passerinum, Strix aluco, Asio otus). At the forest border with old broadleaves the Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops) and green wood- pecker (Picus viridis) are also frequent.
Population/Recreation
There is no direct provision of recreation, but in areas close to settlements the forest is used by a lot of walkers and joggers. This use of the forest occurs without conflicts. In the future, theme trails and Fig. C 19.8. Overmature Norway spruce should have been harvested earlier (Photo: Eckart Senitza).
information boards may encourage further under- standing of forest management. For decades, the farm has offered about 5–7 excursions per year for different interest groups.
Strengths and weaknesses – or, where is the potential to improve certain issues?
Management: The management is based on detailed knowledge of the forest and a very flexi- ble approach to decision-making. All trees selected
for cutting and as biotope trees are marked. Struc- tural thinnings are made with only 100–150 future trees/ha to convert homogeneous stands to une- ven-aged forests. The detailed knowledge depends on committed managers (fig. C 19.11) and a certain degree of patience and time spent in the forest, which are payed back by the results.
Policy: Forest management under the Austrian for- est law allows a great freedom as long as you care for the forest and keep it healthy. The law requires immediate reaction to respond to bark beetle out- breaks and favours natural regeneration. There are no limits concerning harvesting, although clearcuts are restricted to 0.5 ha; however, in Gut Poitschach no clearcuts are carried out.
Science: The forest inventory has been designed specifically for the area; there are permanent plots and the inventory is based on several results from science as well as the use of growth models. There is one permanent reference stand (>5 ha), which is part of the European-wide AFI (Association Futaie Irrégulière) network within the RESYNAT-Project in Austria. An inventory of the biotope trees is in the pipeline. More scientific projects will be imple- mented in the future.
Communication: For decades, the enterprise has served as a location for excursions for school classes, expert groups, farmers, forestry teachers, etc. In the year 2014 the enterprise was given the ‘State Award for Exemplary Forestry’ by the Austrian Fed- eral Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management. Several articles have been
Fig. C 19.10. Swamps and bogs are voluntary protected (on the left). Biotope trees are left until they gradually decompose (on the right) (Photos: Eckart Senitza).
Fig. C 19.9. Biotope tree oak with a lot of tree related microhabitats (TREMs) (Photo: Eckart Senitza).
published in regional papers and national forest magazines. Information boards will be placed at the entrances to the forest, but this has not yet been implemented.
Network
Examples of good forest management should be communicated and timely information should be provided to educate the public and enable inter- ested people to get involved; this might prevent unrealistic expectations while providing the public access to the forest and to learn about the balance between economic activities and other services in the forest. This is especially true for this example (C 19) Gut Poitschach, but also for two other exam- ples presented in this book, i.e. (C 6) Pahernik and (C 22) Langau. For many years these belong to the network of ProSilva demonstration sites (www.
prosilva.org), and have followed ProSilva princi- ples. and serving within a network of about 65 practice examples across Europe as good case exam- ples.
Nature conservation is of course part of the ecosystem approach of forest management as also promoted by Pro Silva. There is a strong conviction that the elements like deadwood or biotope trees, and also the mixture of species and structures lead to an improved balance between diverse antago- nists (e.g. bark beetle) for a greater forest stability and resilience. Well-managed forests can provide a wide variety of ecosystem services (timber produc- tion, nature conservation, provision of clean water, carbon sequestration, recreational opportunities).
Stakeholders and in particular nature conservation should not remain stuck at a level of pure self-pur- pose with sometimes, very theoretical approaches unrelated to practice.
Forester’s Statement
“Continuous cover forests need consistent manage- ment following the same guidelines and principles over decades. This is the precondition for achieving
‘rapid’ changes in a slowly-developing system. Such forests provide more flexibility and adaptability to changing environmental and socioeconomic condi- tions!”
References
Throughout the chapter, the author refers to the following documents and websites:
AFI – Association Futaie Irrégulière: https://www.prosilva.
org/activities/afi/
Frank G.; Lipp S. et al. 2016: project report ReSynatWald (german) https://bfw.ac.at/cms_stamm/100/pdf/
ReSynat_Endbericht_klein.pdf
Pro Silva Austria, 2018: Grundsätze (German) https://
www.prosilvaaustria.at/naturnahe-waldwirtschaft/
Pro Silva Principles, 2012: https://www.prosilva.org/
close-to-nature-forestry/pro-silva-principles/
Pro Silva Exemplary Forests, 2019: https://www.prosilva.
org/close-to-nature-forestry/examplary-forests/
Pro Silva – European Exemplary Forests Network, 2019:
https://www.prosilva.org/information-news/news/
exemplary-forests-network/
RESYNAT 2016: https://bfw.ac.at/rz/bfwcms.
web?dok=10483
Staatspreis für vorbildliche Waldwirtschaft 2014: https://
docplayer.org/70318680-Ministerium-fuer-ein-leb- enswertes-oesterreich.html
Susse, R.; Allegrini, C.; Bruciamacchie, M.; Burrus, R., 2011: Management of irregular forests AFI. Besancon 144 p.
Fig. C 19.11. The hero: he knows how to fell big trees without damage (Photo: Eckart Senitza).
