Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1046/j.1365-2664.2001.00629.x
Title (Primary) Sustainable timber harvesting in Venezuela: a modelling approach
Author Kammesheidt, L.; Köhler, P.; Huth, A.
Source Titel Journal of Applied Ecology
Year 2001
Department OESA
Volume 38
Issue 4
Page From 756
Page To 770
Language englisch
Abstract Reliable data on the growth and yield of logged-over forest to determine sustainable cutting cycles are widely missing for the tropics.We used the process-based model FORMIND2.0 to analyse the growth and yield of logged-over forest in Venezuela under different logging scenarios over a period of 240 years and compared results with unlogged stands. The performance of the model was evaluated with a detailed stability and sensitivity analysis.In the absence of further logging, the logged-over stand approached the stand structure of mature forest in terms of bole volume and basal area after about 50-100 years.Thirty-year cutting cycles with conventional logging methods and net extraction volumes of 45 and 60 m3ha-1cycle-1 did not provide sustainable yields under either of two minimum felling diameters (35 or 50 cm) that were applied. Only the 60-year cutting cycle provided sustainable yields under conventional and reduced-impact logging with the different minimum felling diameters and a range of net volumes extracted (30-60 m. 3ha-1cycle-1  With the longest cutting cycle (60 years), bole volume recovered to levels similar to the mature unlogged stand, but the species composition was very different.Scenarios with reduced-impact logging provided a significantly higher timber volume than under conventional logging. The conservation of forest resources will only be possible with long cutting cycles (at least 60 years) in combination with reduced-impact logging.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=6467
Kammesheidt, L., Köhler, P., Huth, A. (2001):
Sustainable timber harvesting in Venezuela: a modelling approach
J. Appl. Ecol. 38 (4), 756 - 770 10.1046/j.1365-2664.2001.00629.x