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Key message <p>Anticipating establishment cuts in transitional high forests of beech (<i>Fagus sylvatica</i> L.) is a sustainable strategy from both ecological and economic perspectives. It could be scaled over large areas to promote structural heterogeneity while minimizing disturbances.</p> Context <p>Beech forests, traditionally managed as coppices for firewood, have experienced significant changes in management practices, particularly in Southern Europe. This shift was especially noticeable in the Southern and Eastern Alps, where vast areas of coppice forests were gradually transformed into high forests, as fuelwood demand declined. However, large-scale regeneration cuts at the end of the rotation period can result in economic losses and environmental concerns.</p> Aims <p>We assessed whether applying regeneration cuts at 70&#xa0;years in transitional high forests can effectively accelerate the coppice-to-high-forest conversion process, relative to the conventional rotation period of 120–140&#xa0;years.</p> Methods <p>This study examines the possibility to implement regeneration cuts before the common rotation period in temporary high forests by applying four distinct treatments: (1) control—thinning from below; (2) shelterwood system—establishment cut; (3) clear-cut; and (4) crop tree release.</p> Results <p>We found significant differences in basal area, biomass, leaf area index after tree removal, and harvesting costs/venues, with the shelterwood system being the most economically advantageous treatment. Ten years after the treatment execution, the shelterwood treatment exhibited prompt and widespread regeneration compared to other regeneration treatments, with the highest seedling abundance (12 ± 2 seedlings m<sup>−2</sup>) and height of the established saplings (93 ± 6&#xa0;cm).</p> Conclusion <p>Our findings support the idea of implementing and gradually scaling regeneration cuts in time and space using the group shelterwood system. This approach can increase the structural heterogeneity of forest stands, maintain consistent timber production, and minimize disturbances to fauna and other ecosystem services.</p>

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Anticipated regeneration cuts in transitional high forests of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in the Eastern Prealps: ecological and economic impacts

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年10月30日

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  • Natalie Piazza,
  • Antonio Tomao,
  • Pietro Piussi,
  • Giorgio Alberti

摘要

Key message

Anticipating establishment cuts in transitional high forests of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is a sustainable strategy from both ecological and economic perspectives. It could be scaled over large areas to promote structural heterogeneity while minimizing disturbances.

Context

Beech forests, traditionally managed as coppices for firewood, have experienced significant changes in management practices, particularly in Southern Europe. This shift was especially noticeable in the Southern and Eastern Alps, where vast areas of coppice forests were gradually transformed into high forests, as fuelwood demand declined. However, large-scale regeneration cuts at the end of the rotation period can result in economic losses and environmental concerns.

Aims

We assessed whether applying regeneration cuts at 70 years in transitional high forests can effectively accelerate the coppice-to-high-forest conversion process, relative to the conventional rotation period of 120–140 years.

Methods

This study examines the possibility to implement regeneration cuts before the common rotation period in temporary high forests by applying four distinct treatments: (1) control—thinning from below; (2) shelterwood system—establishment cut; (3) clear-cut; and (4) crop tree release.

Results

We found significant differences in basal area, biomass, leaf area index after tree removal, and harvesting costs/venues, with the shelterwood system being the most economically advantageous treatment. Ten years after the treatment execution, the shelterwood treatment exhibited prompt and widespread regeneration compared to other regeneration treatments, with the highest seedling abundance (12 ± 2 seedlings m−2) and height of the established saplings (93 ± 6 cm).

Conclusion

Our findings support the idea of implementing and gradually scaling regeneration cuts in time and space using the group shelterwood system. This approach can increase the structural heterogeneity of forest stands, maintain consistent timber production, and minimize disturbances to fauna and other ecosystem services.