Forest regeneration in Northern and Northwestern Russia in 1993–2004—Methods, results and development needs

Published Date
Forest Ecology and Management
20 March 2008, Vol.255(3):383–395, doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2007.10.044
Review

• Author 

• Timo Leinonen ^a,,
• Rudolf Sungurov ^b
• Taneli Kolström ^c
• Alexandr Sokolov ^d
• Anatoly Žigunov^e
• Anton Dorošin ^e

• aFinnish Forest Research Institute, P.O. Box 68, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
• bNorthern Research Institute of Forestry, 13 Nikitov Str., Arkhangelsk 163062, Russia
• cUniversity of Joensuu, Mekrijärvi Research Station, Yliopistontie 4, FI-82900 Ilomantsi, Finland
• dForest Institute, Karelian Research Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 11 Puškinskaja Str., Petrozavodsk, Republic of Karelia 185610, Russia
• eSt. Petersburg Forest Research Institute, 21 Instituckij pr., St. Petersburg 194021, Russia

Received 22 December 2006. Revised 5 October 2007. Accepted 13 October 2007. Available online 21 December 2007. 

Abstract

Concern about the sustainability of forestry in Russia has increased, especially among the end-users of forest products in Europe. A key factor in sustainable forestry is successful regeneration of harvested forests. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the sustainability of timber harvesting by analysing implemented forest regeneration measures in the Northern and Northwestern economic regions of Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union and to determine the results of these regeneration efforts. An additional aim was to highlight development needs in forest regeneration to thus improve the quality of regeneration practises and the sustainability of forestry in the future. The study was based on official data from the state forest and statistics authorities and the research literature on Russian forestry.

In the Northwestern region (Leningrad, Pskov, and Novgorod regions) the main method of regeneration was planting, whereas in the Northern region (Arkhangelsk, Murmansk and Vologda regions, Republics of Karelia and Komi) the dominant method was assisted natural regeneration by conservation of advance growth in cuttings. In 1993–1997, the final-felling area decreased by 40%, but in 1998–2001 it increased again, by 23%, together with development of Russian forest industry production. In the study area, the main method of final felling was clear felling. During the first half of the study period, 1993–1998, the mean annual area of forest regeneration was greater than the clear-felling area. In the second half (1999–2004), however, the ratio was, on average, in the Northern region 0.89 and in the Northwestern region 0.72. On the other hand, the differences between regions were significant, as the ratio in the Pskov region was 0.61 and in the Murmansk region 2.8. In the Republic of Karelia, 77% of the assisted natural regeneration areas and 59% of the artificial regeneration areas were successfully regenerated after 6 and 10 years, respectively. In the Leningrad region, the corresponding proportions were 75% and 83%.

The extent and quality of the forest regeneration and the methods used did not fulfil the requirements of instructions with respect to time and quality. In forest management, special emphasis should be put on securing qualified regeneration of the whole clear-felling area. The key factors in improving regeneration results are qualified implementation, the new Russian forest code and regional normative instructions in preparation, as well as training of personnel.

Keywords

Natural regeneration

Artificial regeneration

Clear felling

Forest management

Russia

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  Corresponding author. Tel.: +358 10 211 3252; fax: +358 10 211 3251.
  
  

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Energy efficiency and renewable energy in Russia Transaction barriers, market intermediation, and capacity building

Published Date
Energy Policy
September 1998, Vol.26(11):905–915, doi:10.1016/S0301-4215(98)00022-6

• Author 

• Eric Martinot ¹

• University of California at Berkeley, Energy and Resources Group, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA

Available online 12 February 1999. 

Abstract

Technical-economic and geographical opportunities for energy efficiency and renewable energy in Russia are enormous – cost-effective investments are possible in district heating systems, buildings, and industry, and for wind, biomass, solar and geothermal energy. Market-level energy prices, privatization, and the possibility of independent power production all favor investments in these technologies and technology transfer with other countries. But many transaction barriers limit such investments and transfers, especially barriers that are related to capital, information, infrastructure, market institutions, human resource capabilities, and institutional incentives. Market intermediation and joint ventures are important in overcoming these transaction barriers. International policies, for example by bilateral and multilateral agencies, should facilitate market intermediation. Capacity building should target skills in economic analysis, management, and finance; information services; regulatory development; new market intermediation institutions; stronger legal and market institutions; and implementation mechanisms supporting independent power producers. Policies that encourage and support energy service companies are especially important.

Keywords

Sustainable energy development

Market failures

Economies in transition

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Wood pellets production costs and energy consumption under different framework conditions in Northeast Argentina

Published Date
Biomass and Bioenergy
March 2011, Vol.35(3):1357–1366, doi:10.1016/j.biombioe.2010.12.029

• Author 

• Augusto Uasuf ^,
• Gero Becker

• Institute of Forest Utilization and Work Science, Faculty of Forestry, University of Freiburg, Werthmannstraße 6, 79085 Freiburg, Germany

Received 8 September 2009. Revised 14 December 2010. Accepted 21 December 2010. Available online 14 January 2011. 

Abstract

The development of cleaner and renewable energy sources are needed in order to reduce dependency and global warming. Wood pellets are a clean renewable fuel and has been considered as one of the substitutes for fossil fuels. In Argentina, large quantities of sawmill residues are still unused and wood pellets production could be seen as both, as an environmental solution and an extra economical benefit. The general aim of this study was to determine the wood pellets production costs and energy consumption under different framework conditions in northeast Argentina. The specific costs of wood pellets for the different scenarios showed relative lower costs comparing to the ones reported in other studies, ranging from 35 to 47 €/Mg_pellets. Raw material costs represented the main cost factor in the calculation of the total pellets production costs. A lower specific production cost was observed when 50% of the raw material input was wood shavings. The specific electricity consumption per metric ton of pellet was lower in scenarios with higher production rate. Lower heat energy consumption was observed in scenarios that have a mixed raw material input. The most promising framework condition for Northeast Argentina, in terms of costs effectiveness and energy consumption could be acquired with production rates of 6 Mg/h with sawdust and wood shavings as raw material. However, simultaneous increment of the electricity by 50% and raw material price by 100% may increase the specific costs up to 50%.

Keywords

Renewable energy

Wood pellets

Energy consumption

Production costs

Sensitivity analysis

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• ∗ 
  Corresponding author. Tel.: +49 761 203 3754; fax: +49 761 203 3763.
  
  

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How to analyse and maximise the forest fuel supply availability to power plants in Eastern Finland

Published Date
Biomass and Bioenergy
May 2011, Vol.35(5):1841–1850, doi:10.1016/j.biombioe.2011.01.029

• Author 

• Tapio Ranta ^,
• Olli-Jussi Korpinen

• Lappeenranta University of Technology, Department of Energy and Environmental Technology, Jääkärinkatu 3E, FI-50101 Mikkeli, Finland

Received 30 June 2008. Revised 2 July 2008. Accepted 7 January 2011. Available online 3 February 2011. 

Abstract

The annual use of forest fuels has grown rapidly in Finland during the 21st century. In 2007 the annual use was 5.3 TWh (firewood use excluded), whereas the targeted growth by the year 2010 is 10.6 TWh, i.e. some 5 million m³. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the maximum availability of forest fuels to CHP plants in Eastern Finland. The total availability to the selected CHP plant population was 7 TWh at the maximum transport distance of 100 km. The main share came from logging residues, 3.3 TWh, and the rest from stumps, 1.8 TWh, and small diameter energy wood, 1.9 TWh. The highest plant-specific availability reached the level of 1.7–1.8 TWh, but the overlapping procurement areas reduced the availability for most plants to a level less than 1 TWh. In all plant sites peat fuel could be partially compensated with forest fuels according to availability, but not completely due to the boiler technology. Increasing the targeted national forest fuel use presupposes the use of new logistics supply solutions, such as other transport modes and regional buffer storage networks. This makes it possible to widen the traditional procurement area-based on truck transportation, which is less than 60 km because of a dense plant network.

Highlights

► Forest biomass availability as of function of transport distance rise very rapidly. ► Dense plant network and high competition will diminish clearly the plant-specific availability. ► So far all forest biomass need can be fulfilled in Easter Finland. ► The forest biomass supply and demand are not in balance at the Finland. ► An efficient long distance transport methods are needed to fulfill the large-scale biomass need.

Keywords

Biomass resources

Combined heat and power generation (CHP)

Geographical information systems (GIS)

Biomass availability

Biomass allocation

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• ∗ 
  Corresponding author. Tel.: +358 40 864 4994.
  
  

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