Põllumajandusministeeriumi ja Maaelu ... - bioenergybaltic

is considered to be 20–40%. Half of the world timber harvest should originate from
plantations by 2050.
4. During the past 70-80 years there has been neither experience with nor practical
need to grow deciduous forests under the principles of short rotation forestry for production of
biomass for energy in Estonia. Nevertheless, coppice forests have historically been widely
used for fuel wood storage. But there have been no legal restrictions concerning the
determination of the rotation period and the environmental impacts of energy forestry. Today
Estonian forest science has up to date data and preliminary results concerning the productivity,
nutrient cycling and environmental impacts of experimental short rotation plantations with
grey alder, black alder, silver birch, hybrid aspen and willows on abandoned agricultural land.
5. In the traditional Estonian forest land the management of semi-natural forests should
continue under the principles of traditional silviculture ensuring both commercial wood
production and environmental values of forest. On abandoned agricultural land it is possible to
apply large-scale silvicultural activities oriented to biomass production in short rotations
considering both economic and environmental issues.
6. According to available information, no GMO forest tree plants have entered or will
enter the market in the nearest future in Estonia. Due to environmental risks, principles of
close to nature forest management and the current legislation, the use of genetically modified
tree and shrub species as woody energy crops should be prohibited. For the same reasons
exotic tree species cannot be recommended with one exception: half-exotic hybrid aspen,
which has proved to be fast growing species with high biomass production capacity in boreal
Europe. The use of selected willow breeds can be recommended. Selection and breeding of
fast growing deciduous trees (alders, silver birch, aspen) should be started in order to produce
crossings and clones with improved biomass production capacity in Estonian conditions.
7. Primarily deciduous tree and shrub species should be used as woody energy crops in
Estonian soil and climate conditions. Coniferous tree species are not recommended as woody
energy crops. In Estonia there are two endemic coniferous tree species that are widely
distributed and grow as upper story trees – Scots pine and Norway spruce. Spruce belongs to
the climax community species in forest succession and therefore its use as pioneer species for
afforestation of abandoned agricultural land is ecologically not justified. The litter from both
mentioned species is acidic and promotes podzolification i.e. leaching of nutrients and
consequent decrease in soil fertility. The plantations with both coniferous tree species are
more susceptible to fire hazard, particularly in case of dense spacing. The risk of root rot
dispersal (Heterobasidion sp.), which is the main threat in Estonian forests, is significantly
higher in case of conifers compared to deciduous tree species on abandoned agricultural land.
In addition, conifers do not propagate via coppicing and therefore the new generation has to be
established after each harvest.
8. The recommended woody species as energy crops in Estonia are: alders (grey alder
and black alder), silver birch, aspens (hybrid aspen and European aspen) and willows. Other
endemic deciduous tree species in Estonia have low biomass productivity and cannot be
recommended as energy crops, they are more valuable from forest biodiversity aspect.
9. Based on the experience of Estonian soil and forest science, we recommend to use
the matrix of Estonian soils (compiled by professor R. Kõlli) while evaluating land resources,
analyzing soil fertility issues and environmental impacts of woody energy crops and for
compiling management plans for land owners. In order to analyse ecologic relations between
soil and developing forest, the ordination scheme of forest site types by E. Lõhmus should be
applied. Such approach is agreed and coordinated with the MES land resources evaluation
working group (soil scientists H. Roostalu and A. Astover). The common methodology must
help to reach the final goal within the continuity project in 2008. Provided that there is
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