Practical experiences with ecosystem evaluation of forest functions in the Czech and Slovak Republics

Jiří SCHNEIDER

Ilja VYSKOT

Ivana LAMPARTOVÁ

Alice KOZUMPLÍKOVÁ

Helena LORENCOVÁ

Abstract:

Paper deals with the usage of the method Quantification and Evaluation of forest functions (Vyskot, I. et al., 2003) as the base for the state authorities’ decision-making process on the example of many different practical purposes during the period 2003 – 2013. The method was elaborated at the Mendel University in Brno. It was used for example for evaluation of ecological damage on forest functions of the National Park High Tatras forests (Slovakia) caused by wind calamity or for evaluation of ecological damage on forest functions caused by illegal harvesting in the Czech Republic. It was also used for a definition of areas and zonation of recreational forests of big cities (model example Prague) or as a part of EIA.

The method is based on ecosystem principles; the basic premise claims that forest functions are human independent production of forest ecosystem. Determining criterions of forest functions are basic measured parameters of forest ecosystems – climatic, hydrologic, geologic, pedologic and biotic. Forest functions are evaluated by so called Real potentials (in forest ecosystem optimal status) and Real effects (in forest actual status). Social demands of forests (e.g. recreational forests, nature protection etc.) are expressed by Factor of topical forest interest. Economical extension of the method comes from legally stated average price of wood primarily.

The method was accepted by the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of CR and is also used as an approved methodology of the Czech Inspection of Environment. At present; the method is tested as a base for frame management regulation construction of multi-functional forestry in Poland model of Promotional Forest Complexes (exp. PFC Lasy Beskidu Sadeckiego).

Key words:

ecosystem services; forest function; ecological damage; recreational forest; illegal harvesting; Promotional Forest Complex

Introduction:

A modern ecosystem conception states that forests are on the level of natural systems, i.e. subsistence life-giving resources even for the human society. Forest functions are potentials to produce effects resulting from its nature and ecosystem processes. They are produced by an every specific ecosystem of the forest.

The financial expression of forest functions value can be based (similarly as an approach to forest functions) on different conceptions: anthropocentric utilitarian conception - forest

and its functions are an economic estate (instrument of production) fully controlled by man, and ecosystem life-preserving conception – forest and its functions are a life-giving source and irreplaceable component of the environment at the same time being the source of an essential renewable raw material. The ecosystem conception of forests and their functions does not consider forests as an exclusive economic estate but as a national wealth and irreplaceable component of the environment.

Materials and Methods

Method of Quantification and Evaluation of Forest Functions (Vyskot I. at al. 1996-2003, 2006), is developed and still cultivated by team of univ. prof. Vyskot in Department of Landscape Management FFWT MUAF in Brno, Czech Republic. It's base for financial expression of forest functions with wide application, as examples of Czech Republic and Slovakia show. Detailed and exhaustive description of method is published in monograph Vyskot, I. et al., 2003.

Expression of values of forest functions through money is thus a comparable means of society to control and maintain life-giving sources and components of the environment.

A method used for the financial expression of values of forest functions is "a financial explicit comparison to a socially well-known economic event". The dominant product of a bioproduction function – wood and its financial relations – price is a socially well-known economic event from the field of forest functions. However, from the viewpoint of a known economic event, wood price in not a quite objective indicator. It is dependent on market relations and changing social demands. The generally used market principle of society, however, does not use permanent or absolute constant financial values. Value conditions, levels and scales are always topical conditions.

The long average price of a unit of the dominant product of a bioproduction function 1 m3 wood is a financial value unit for the financial expression of values of forest functions.

Ecosystem method of quantification and evaluation of forest functions

All-society (i.e. of society as a whole) functions of forests are the realized production of natural ecosystem effects which are independent on man. The ecosystem method of quantification and evaluation of forest functions is, therefore, based on the quantification and evaluation of elements and parameters of forest ecosystems determining their functional effects.

To quantify a forest ecosystem it is necessary to define its condition entering the evaluation. The procedure is implemented in the following levels:

Real potential of forest functions – quantified functional potential of forests (values of produced functions) under optimum ecosystem conditions.

Real topical effect of forest functions – topical quantified functional effects of forests (values of produced functions) under topical ecosystem conditions.

Needs of society often require the specific use of forests limited exclusively by social urgency and not by their ecosystem effects. The functional effect is then evaluated by extra-ecosystem superstructure parameters:

Topical social effect of forest functions – topical, super structural, socially preferred functional effect specified by "usage" indicator of the weight of the topical social interest.

Classification of effectiveness parameters and determination criteria of functions

Each of the forest functions (effectiveness functional group) is quantified through quantities of functions of determining parameters (determination criteria). The compatible (value) classification of parameters (criterion elements and segments) also expresses the extent of functional effectiveness of functional determination criteria through the hierarchy of value degrees (rate of quantity).

Determination of stand types in functional target management groups of stands (MGS)

Determination of stand types in functional target MGS is the result of analyses of database sources of forest management plans (FMP) according to species composition in stand parts of forests of the CR. Examples of determination and coding particular stand types:

D6 ….. mixed stand type with the "dominant" proportion of beech ST and "interspersed" species

M1Z6P9x ….. mixed stand type of spruce ST and beech ST and "admixed" ST of other broadleaves.

Values of real potentials of forest functions

Values of real potentials of forest functions are processed for ecosystem units of the whole territory of forests of the Czech Republic.

Functions of forests are determined by function criteria. Their values are expressed by value degrees in classification levels (0 – 6).

The function value is (from the aspect of effectiveness) the weighed average of values (value degrees) of its function criteria. It is expressed by an analogical value as well as practical verbal classification.

The total real potential of functions is the sum of potentials of particular functions (BP - bioproduction function, ES - ecological-stabilization function, HV- hydric – water-management function, EP- edaphic – soil-conservation function, SR - social-recreation function, ZH - sanitary-hygienic function)

RPFL = RPBP + RPES + RPHV + RPEP + RPSR + RPZH

The value of the total real potential of functions is the sum of values of potentials of particular functions (0–36) being classified in classes RPFL I –VI.

Real effects - topical condition of forest functions

The real effect represents the topical function effectiveness of a forest ecosystem, i.e. function effects resulting from its topical condition. It expresses the rate of a produced function with respect to its potential capacities in percentage values.

On the basis of the excerption of a broad spectrum of scientific findings and the study of linkages of function effects of forest stands and their structures, three virtually available dominant criteria were used characterizing conditions of stands, their function dynamics and effectiveness, viz. age, stocking and health condition. The criteria are of a functionally "reduction" character because under optimum values only they represent full (potential) function capabilities of the forest. With the increasing difference from optimum values function effectiveness also decreases. Therefore, they are further named as "function- reducing" criteria.

Calculation of real effects of particular functions

Resultant (synergic) real effect is the weighed arithmetical average of values of real effects determined by particular function-reducing criteria:

Bioproduction function REBP = vT1 . T1 + vZ1 . Z1 + vZS1 . ZS1 (%)

Ecological-stabilization function REES = vT2 . T2 + vZ2 . Z2 + vZS2 . ZS2 (%)

Hydric– water-management function REHV = vT3 . T3 + vZ3 . Z3 + vZS3 . ZS3 (%)

Edaphic – soil-conservation function REEP = vT4 . T4 + vZ4 . Z4 + vZS4 . ZS4 (%)

Social-recreation function RESR = vT5 . T5 + vZ5 . Z5 + vZS5 . ZS5 (%)

Sanitary-hygienic function REZH = vT6 . T6 + vZ6 . Z6 + vZS6 . ZS6 (%)

Where T1-6 ....... value of the partial real effect of a given function in relation to age (stand

development stage) Z1-6 ....... value of the partial real effect of a given function in relation to stocking (stand

development stage) ZS1-6...... value of the partial real effect of a given function in relation to health condition

(stand development stage) vT1-6 . ..... weight of age for a given function in the stand development stage

vZ1-6 ... ... weight of stocking for a given function in the stand development stage

vZS1-6 .. .. weight of health condition for a given function in the stand development stage

Calculation of the value of real topical effects of functions and quantitative evaluation of forest functions on the basis of ecosystem, parametric and data objectification on the level of possibilities of the present knowledge and applications.

Structure of financial expression procedure steps

Financial expression of the value of real potentials of forest functions

Financial expression of the value of real effects of forest functions

Financial expression of the value of topical social effects of forest functions

Financial expression of damage to forest functions

Calculation of the financial expression of the value of real potentials of forest functions

The financial expression of real potentials of particular functions (RPFL) is determined according to a general formula:

Calculation of the financial expression of the value of real effects of forest functions

The financial expression of real effects of particular functions (REFL) is determined according to a general formula

Then:

Financial expression of a value of the topical social effects of forest functions

Financial expression of topical social effects of particular functions (SEFL) is determined according to a formula

Then:

FSEFL = financial expression of a value of the topical social effect of a function

FREFL = financial expression of a value of the real effect of a function

RPFL = value (value degree) of the real potential of a function (see RPFL)

REFL = value of the real effect of a function (%) (See REFL )

FAZFL = value of the factor of the topical social interest (0-3) (see FAZ)

CD = decennial average price of wood at the roadside in CZK per m3 announced by the CR Ministry of Agriculture

PP = average annual potential production of forests in the Czech Republic in m3.ha-1 determined by a special directive (6.3 m3 . ha –1)

U = stand rotation

P = area of the unit (stand, stand part) in ha

Results

Chapter shows examples of different practical usages of Vyskot et al Method during the period 2003 – 2013.

Evaluation of ecological damage on forest functions of the National Park High Tatras forests (Slovakia) caused by wind calamity

More than 12 600 ha of forests in National Park High Tatras, Slovak Republic were devastated by the extreme wind calamity in September 2004. Ecological damage raised from calamity is valuated by the method of Quantification and Evaluation of Forest Functions on base of bilateral agreement of the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Fieldwork including Representative sample plot differentiation was carried out in the period March – September 2005 in following steps:

observing area localization by GPS

forest management plan data set terrain verification

wind calamity damage group determination

obtaining the data for secular locality observing

There were observed following parameters of forest damage:

wind calamity damage group A – D

tree species composition, stocking and health conditions of healthy (standing) forest stands

existence and conditions of natural reproduction

existence of broken logs and windfall trees

other observation

Chosen forest stands were classified into the wind calamity damage groups in correspondence with intensity of their calamity damage and observed parameters values.

Calamity damage degree group differentiation

Four calamity damage degree groups were identified in damaged area of High Tatras according to own fieldwork:

Group A – forest stands or the parts of forest stands totally destroyed by wind

calamity. Unstocked areas or unstocked areas with strongly damaged solitaires

(damage degree IV, IIIb) are characterized by this calamity damage group.

Group B - forest stands or the parts of forest stands with very low stocking (stocking

degree 2 – 4). Existing trees are mostly strongly or medium damaged (damage

degree IIIa, II).

Group C - forest stands or the parts of forest stands with low or stocking (stocking

degree 5 – 7). Existing trees are medium or low damaged (damage degree II, I).

Group D - forest stands or the parts of forest stands without damage or very low

damaged by wind calamity. Stocking is without any changing according to conditions

before calamity (stocking is full or slightly lowered), health status is good (damage

degree 0, 0/I, I).

Picture 1 presents particular damage class distribution on selected forest stands

surrounding Tatranska Lomnica.

(source: Kozumplíková et al, 2007)

Pic. 1 Map print of particular damage class on selected stands surrounds Tatranska Lomnica (north-west part)

Legend: Damage classes: Class A Class B Class C

Class D

Pictures 2 - 4 present Real functional potential and topical functional effect of forest stands GIS layouts –example of social – recreational function

(source: Kozumplíková et al, 2007)

Pic. 2 Map print of real potential of social-recreational function on model locality Tatranska Lomnica

Legend (Fig.2): Real potential of forest functions: Degree 0 Degree 1

Degree 2 Degree 3 Degree 4 Degree 5 Degree 6

(source: Kozumplíková et al, 2007)

Pic. 3 Map print of real effects of social-recreational function in model locality Tatranska Lomnica before wind calamity

Legend (Fig. 3): Real effect of forest functions (% of RPff): 10% 11 – 30%

31 – 45% 46 – 55% 56 – 70% 71 – 90% 91%

(source: Kozumplíková et al, 2007)

Pic. 4 Map print of real effects of social-recreational function in model locality Tatranska Lomnica after wind calamity

Legend (Fig. 4): Real effect of forest functions (% of RPff): 10% 11 – 30%

31 – 45% 46 – 55% 56 – 70% 71 – 90% 91%

Previous maps (Fig. 2, 3 and 4) present real potentials of forest functions in model locality Tatranska Lomnica and differences in real functional effect of forests stands before and after wind calamity. Decrease of forests functional abilities is obvious.

Evaluation of ecological damage on forest functions coming out from the realization of golf resort Klánovice

Investment project for 18 holes golf resort realization is situated to locality Klanovicky les. Klánovický les is nevertheless very important forest locality with high social effects – part of natural park Klánovice-Čihadla and supra-regional bio-centre Vidrholec. Prevailing area of locality creates the west part of natural preserve Klánovický les- Cyrilov. Cadastral area Klánovice is incorporated to the 1st proposed zone of suburban recreational forests of capital Prague.

The procedure mentioned above was applied in forest stands (forest stand groups) influenced by potential golf resort realization. Influenced forest stands were obtained by the projection of the golf track layer and forest management map layer in GIS.

For financial expression of hectar value of real potential of forest functions is used price level of mediate biproduction 920 CZK per 1 m3 of wood (arithmetical average price of wood at the roadside announced by the CR Ministry of Agriculture for years 1997-2006), the exchange ratio from CZK to Euro was used 28 CZK = 1 Euro. Final financial expression of ecosystem damage was modified by FAZ index.

Tab. 1: Financial expression of real potentials of forest functions for the most presented stand types within particular forest management groups counted to 1 ha

(source: Schneider et al, 2007)

FMG Stand type RPff (Eur) Total

(Eur) BP ES HV EP SR ZH

27 Z1P3P5P9x 29,827 29,827 14,466 22,370 27,143 37,284 160,919

23a C5 37,962 28,472 18,412 28,472 17,273 37,962 168,552

23b M5P1P9x 28,472 37,962 18,412 28,472 43,182 47,453 203,951

25b M1P3P9x 27,116 20,337 13,151 20,337 24,675 33,895 139,510

On the base of ecosystem characteristics of forest stands analyse in observed part of Klanovicky les it should be claimed that in case of lasting deforestetion the predicted average financially expressed damage counted to 1 ha is:

Bio-production forest function 30, 189,- Eur

Ecological-stabilization forest function 28, 848,- Eur

Hydric-water management forest function 17, 767,- Eur

Edaphic-soil protection forest function 25, 644,- Eur

Social-recreational forest function 25, 587,- Eur

Sanitary-health hygienic forest function 40, 526,- Eur

Total predicted average financially expressed damage counted to 1 ha is 168, 561,- Eur.

Functional potential and effect of new afforested areas in frame of land arrangement in the cadastral area Horní Loděnice

Afforestation effect growth is a long-lasting process and it is based on growth conditions of forest ecosystems. Dynamics of real effect increasing is evaluated by method by Vyskot et al., 1996-2003. Valuated forest stands were planted out in 2005 on the base of Plan collective facilities for simple land arrangement for reconstruction and specify allotments in cadastral area “Horní Loděnice” (Vyskot et al., 2001) and Project of agricultural areas afforestation in cadastral area “Horní Loděnice” 2000 – 2009 (Schneider et al, 2008).

Tab. 2 Financial expression of increasing of real functional effect of model forest stands (in CZK) (source: Schneider et al, 2008)

Forest function y. 2006 y. 2030 y. 2055 y. 2105

Bioproduction 93,054 226,566 525,956 809,163

Ecological-stabilization 129,496 294,539 431,652 507,826

Hydric-water management 78,169 308,768 390,845 379,120

Edaphic-soil-conservation 102,087 247,927 413,211 486,130

Social-recreation 124,949 310,480 575,524 689,115

Sanitary-hygienic 121,145 343,896 664,344 781,581

Total 648,900 1,732,175 3,001,532 3,652,935

Quantitative Assessment of Carbon Sequestration in Forest Ecosystems

Position of carbon storage classification in the system of forest functions is evaluated as a subcategory (‘subfunction’) of the production function, respecting the system of forest ecosystem functions.

The subcategory of carbon sequestration is determined and quantified by two function determination criteria (ecosystem parameters) – the data on the amount of carbon sequestrated in the aboveground biomass and the amount of carbon sequestrated in the soil environment. The evaluated unit is a stand type (tree-species composition) within a management group. The amount of carbon in the aboveground biomass is converted using specific conversion formulas (Cienciala et al. 2006) for the main species of the CR (spruce, pine, oak, beech). The amount of carbon in the aboveground biomass is evaluated for mass of large timber. To derive this to the total mass (large timber and small timber), it is necessary to use other expansion factors (Cienciala et al. 2006). The data on the amount of carbon bound in the soil profile have been gained from the output data of CzechCarbo project (Schneider et al, 2008)

Table 3. Function determination criterion – Volume of carbon (C) stock in the aboveground biomass in 100 years for the main economic tree-species (source:

Vyskot et al, 2011)

functio

n

deg

ree

functio

n

inte

rva

l %

function criterion interaction criterion

RVB (AVB) volume of C stock in the aboveground biomass

in 100 years m3ha-1

SM, BK BO, DB SM BO BK DB

0 < 11 -9(16) -9(12) 155 81 143 107

9(18) 9(14) 187 101 166 131

1 11—30 8(20) 8(16) 219 122 191 156

2 31—45 7(22) 7(18) 250 145 216 185

6(24) 6(20) 285 167 243 216

3 46—55 5(26) 5(22) 320 192 271 248

4 56—70 4(28) 4(24) 355 217 303 283

3(30) 3(26) 393 242 338 320

5 71—90 2(32) 2(28) 433 267 374 358

6 > 90 1(34) 1(30) 474 293 4113 397

+1(36) +1(32) 516 319 453 439

Management of capital Prague suburban forests according to form of its usage

In frame of the Ministry of environment of CR project, the ability to produce sanitary-hygienic and socially-recreational functions of suburban forests of capital Prague were quantified. Main climatic and hydric parameters which form mentioned forest functions were taking into the valuation too. Two main recreational zones of Prague suburban forests according to producing of sanitary-hygienic and socially-recreational function were proposed (see pic. 5).

Pic. 5 Determining of I and II zone of recreation of capital Prague city suburban forests.(source: Vyskot et al, 2008)

Conclusions:

Practical applications of this method of quantification and evaluation of forest functions are still more abundant.

Applications at the level of ecosystem, organizational and spatial units of forests (Vyskot et al, 2003):

● Determination of values of real potentials of functions for every ecosystem unit with applications in each of the units of the organizational and spatial arrangement of forests in the CR

● Determination of the quantitative extent of a detriment to functions for each of the units of the organizational and spatial arrangement of forests,

● Financial expression of values of topical social effects of functions of units of the organizational and spatial arrangement of forests according to categories, subcategories and other division of forests

● Financial expression of incurred damage to functions for each of the units of the organizational and spatial arrangement of forests

● Calculation of values of topical social effects of functions of units of the organizational and spatial arrangement of forests according to categories, sub-categories and other division of forests

Application at the conceptual, administrative, control and executive levels:

● Educational and probative means of the new philosophy and conception of functionally integrated forest management.

● Sources and data for the execution of state administration of forests.

● Data for the execution of supervision and inspection in forests.

● Data for processing directions, subsidies, compensations and reparations in forestry.

● Data for forest planning.

● Data for relationships between landscape and forestry planning

● Data for the preparation of plans of care of specially protected areas.

● Data for objectified categorization of forests.

● Data for social regionalization of forests.

● General data of management procedures for functionally integrated management.

● Sources and data for the preparation and processing of forest management plans.

Acknowledgements:

This work was supported by project of Ministry of Environment of Czech Rep. no. Sp-2d3-56-07 - Ecological and economic evaluation of social functions of alternatively structural forests.

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