Study supported by the Forest Development Fund (agreement No. 25-00-S0MF05-000001)
In Latvia, the maximum annual final felling volume is currently regulated for state forests, and this regulation is not expected to be repealed in the near future. The Forest Law stipulates that the maximum permissible primary felling volume for state forests is calculated by the State Forest Service (SFS) using data from the State Forest Register, but the legislation does not specify the methodology. Since 2011, the methodology for calculating primary felling volume has remained unchanged: the second age-based felling is used for conifers, and the first age-based felling is used for deciduous trees. This calculation methodology theoretically assumes a gradual equalization of the age structure of stands; however, changes in species composition are not taken into account, and "natural" disturbances are ignored. This calculation methodology takes into account the area of stands, but ignores their growth and increment, and is not suitable for determining the volume of selection and shelterwood felling.
Alternative methods for calculating final felling volumes need to be identified and their feasibility assessed in Latvia. It is also necessary to use data from the National Forest Monitoring to evaluate methods for calculating the volume of final felling, which, unlike data from the State Forest Register, will allow for the evaluation of methods that take into account not only the area and volume of forest stands, but also their growth.
The aim of the Study is to calculate the volume of final felling suitable for Latvia and conducive to sustainable forestry, using data from the National Forest Monitoring.
Tasks of the Study:
- To identify annual allowed felling volume calculation methods used in forestry worldwide and their theoretical suitability for use in Latvian forestry.
- Using national forest monitoring data, to model forest resource changes using various final felling volume calculation methods that are theoretically most suitable for Latvia.