In climate-sustainable forest management, the vitality and good growth condition of the forest are taken care of systematically and actively. A well-managed, vital, healthy forest in a good growth condition is an efficient carbon sink and at the same time it is able to better adapt to the extreme weather conditions and damage risks brought about by climate change. Favouring mixed forests increases forest diversity while reducing damage risks in situations where one of the tree species in the forest is destroyed.
Fertilization and afforestation increase carbon sink capacity
The carbon sink capacity of forests can be increased through fertilization that takes into account the overall sustainability of nature as well as through afforestation of bare forest lands. Fertilization can correct the nutrient imbalance in the soil and the decline in growth resulting from this imbalance. Peat soils usually lack several nutrients needed for tree growth. Good quality ash can be spread to increase the growth of peatland stands, which binds carbon dioxide to the stands, roots and soil more efficiently from the air.
Afforestation of bare forest lands can be used to increase the forest area valuable for carbon sink. By regulating the water level in swamp forests, the good growth condition of forests can be ensured and the risks of greenhouse gas emissions can be minimized. Water protection methods, such as buffer zones and soil preparation breaks, can minimize the risks of nutrient washout.
New forests grow rapidly
Climate-sustainable forest management also takes care that forest roads are in good condition and that the trees start to grow fast enough. Forest road maintenance and renovations ensure that roads remain load-bearing. Rapid and site-specific regeneration measures ensure that new generations of trees start to grow quickly and store carbon efficiently. Soil preparation must be carried out in such a way that site-specific and the most suitable methods are chosen. In this way, stands grow much faster than if the land had not been prepared, and they also store carbon more efficiently in trees and soil. Improved regeneration material can be used to increase stand growth and carbon sink compared to natural seed material.