Current issue: 60(1)

Under compilation: 60(2)

Scopus CiteScore 2023: 3.5
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Silva Fennica vol. 60 no. 2 | 2026

Category : Research article

article id 25053, category Research article

Jouni Partanen, Risto Häkkinen, Anneli Viherä-Aarnio, Niina Stenvall, Heikki Hänninen. (2026). Short-day treatment in late summer reduces the chilling requirement in Norway spruce seedlings. Silva Fennica vol. 60 no. 2 article id 25053. https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.25053

Keywords: bud burst percentage; days to bud burst; rest; endodormancy release; forcing, quiescence

Highlights: Short-day treatment reduces the chilling requirement and the time to bud burst in Norway spruce seedlings; Forcing photoperiod does not affect the time to bud burst of short-day treated seedlings; In natural outdoor conditions, the short-day treatment advances the bud burst slightly.

Abstract | Full text in HTML | Full text in PDF | Author Info

Artificial shortening of photoperiod with short-day (SD) treatment in late summer is a common measure in forest nurseries to advance the growth cessation and increase the frost hardiness of seedlings in the autumn. We conducted an experimental study of the effect of SD treatment (12 h) in the preceding summer and the photoperiod (16 h, 8 h) prevailing in the regrowth test under forcing conditions. The effect of these factors on the chilling requirement in second-year Norway spruce Picea abies (L.) Karst. seedlings was studied. Half of the seedlings were first subjected to a three-week SD treatment between 11 July and 1 August 2005, whereas the other half were used as the control group. The seedlings were first exposed to chilling in natural conditions. Subsequently, samples of the seedlings were transferred at intervals between September and May to a regrowth test in growth-promoting forcing conditions in a greenhouse. Additionally, we observed the bud burst of the seedlings in natural conditions during the next spring. Our main result was that SD treatment reduced the chilling requirement in the seedlings. Long photoperiod (16 h) in the forcing conditions also reduced the chilling requirement. The buds of the SD-treated seedlings burst earlier than those of the control seedlings and generally at almost the same time in both photoperiods. This suggests that the photoperiod prevailing in the forcing conditions has no additional delaying or advancing effect on the bud burst of SD-treated seedlings. In natural outdoor conditions, the SD treatment in the preceding summer advanced the springtime bud burst slightly.

Partanen, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Production Systems, Juntintie 154, FI-77600 Suonenjoki, Finland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1782-4283 E-mail: ext.jouni.partanen@luke.fi
Häkkinen, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Production Systems, P.O. Box 2, FI-00791 Helsinki, Finland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1687-1045 E-mail: risto.hakkinen@yahoo.com
Viherä-Aarnio, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Production Systems, P.O. Box 2, FI-00791 Helsinki, Finland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1777-637X E-mail: annelivihe@outlook.com
Stenvall, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Production Systems, P.O. Box 2, FI-00791 Helsinki, Finland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9447-8712 E-mail: niina.stenvall@luke.fi
Hänninen, State Key Laboratory for Development and Utilization of Forest Food Resources, Zhejiang A&F University, 666 Wusu Street, Hangzhou 311300, PR China https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3555-2297 E-mail: hhannin@zafu.edu.cn

article id 25043, category Research article

Henrik Heräjärvi, Adam Taylor, Antti Mutanen, Miika Tolvanen, Jouni Pykäläinen. (2026). Effects of wood products substitution on fossil carbon emissions in Finland, the European Union, and the World. Silva Fennica vol. 60 no. 2 article id 25043. https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.25043

Keywords: avoided fossil emissions; carbon handprint; climate policies; substitution impact

Highlights: Use of forests is an important component of climate change mitigation with instant impacts; Product and energy substitutions are the only known forest-related mechanisms substantially affecting fossil greenhouse gas emissions; Substitution impact by wood use corresponds to the fossil emissions of Finland, while in the EU and the world it is similar to the reported LULUCF emissions.

Abstract | Full text in HTML | Full text in PDF | Author Info

The main driver of climate change is fossil carbon emissions that can be avoided by using renewables instead of fossil-intensive energy or materials. A displacement factor (DF) quantifies fossil emissions avoided by wood use instead of a fossil material. Substitution impact of wood products can be calculated by multiplying their product-specific DFs and their production volumes. We quantified the substitution impact in Finland, the European Union (EU), and worldwide for 2020 using two different DF sets. We extended the analysis out to 2040 in Finland. Depending on DFs used, the avoided fossil emissions by wood use were 13–38 (Finnish wood), 149–317 (EU wood), and 971–2014 (world wood) MtCO₂e in 2020. These correspond to 37–94% (Finland), 6–12% (EU), and 3–6% (world) of total fossil emissions in their respective areas, highlighting the importance of substitution impacts. Despite the uncertainties, the estimates show large climate effects. In Finland, the substitution impact approaches the scale of the total fossil emissions of the country, while at the EU and global scales, the impact is similar in scale to the entire reported LULUCF criterion. The DFs for wood use may decrease in the future because of the decarbonization of the energy systems used in the production of alternatives to wood: steel, concrete, and plastics. However, wood products will remain important in avoiding fossil emissions by providing bio-based material and energy options.

Heräjärvi, University of Eastern Finland, School of Forest Sciences, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7256-3887 E-mail: henrik.herajarvi@uef.fi
Taylor, University of Tennessee, School of Natural Resources, 203 CRC Material Sci & Tech, 2506 Jacob Drive, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA E-mail: mtaylo29@utk.edu
Mutanen, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Bioeconomy and environment, Yliopistokatu 6 B, FI-80100 Joensuu, Finland E-mail: antti.mutanen@luke.fi
Tolvanen, University of Eastern Finland, School of Forest Sciences, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland E-mail: miika.tolvanen@primatimber.fi
Pykäläinen, University of Eastern Finland, School of Forest Sciences, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland E-mail: jouni.pykalainen@uef.fi

article id 25025, category Research article

Mikko T. Niemi, Marjo Palviainen, Annamari Laurén. (2026). Enhanced multi-objective decision support in peatland forestry using Peatland simulator SUSI. Silva Fennica vol. 60 no. 2 article id 25025. https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.25025

Keywords: forest planning; drainage; tree growth; nutrient leaching; trade-offs; ditch depth; greenhouse gas emissions

Highlights: Reaching multidimensional economic and environmental objectives in peatland forest management can be enhanced using process-based ecosystem models; Applying ditch depth of 60 cm in ditch network maintenance improved the trade-off between timber production and soil greenhouse gas emissions compared with the conventional ditch depth of 90 cm; Intensive drainage can reduce tree growth in southern Finland during dry summers.

Abstract | Full text in HTML | Full text in PDF | Author Info

Boreal peatland forests have been extensively drained to increase timber production, but the maintenance of shallowed ditches has been questioned due to increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and negative impacts on water quality. Ditch network maintenance (DNM) lowers water table, which typically increases tree growth, but also increases rate of peat decomposition and consequently CO₂ emissions. Multi-objective forest planning balances between the conflicting economic gains and adverse environmental impacts. We used a process-based Peatland simulator SUSI to simulate three management scenarios for 20 forest stands, covering the variety of growing conditions in Finland. We studied how DNM with a reduced ditch depth (60 cm) and a conventional ditch depth (90 cm) affected stand growth, GHG balance, and nitrogen and phosphorus export. Over a 20-year simulation period, annual volume growth response was on average 0.8 m³ ha^-1 when ditch depth was changed from 30 cm to 60 cm and 1.0 m³ ha^-1 when ditch depth was changed from 30 cm to 90 cm. In southern Finland, DNM decreased stand growth in fertile sites. Soil GHG emissions increased on average by 49% and 119% in 60 cm and 90 cm ditch depths, respectively, compared to 30 cm ditch depth. The cost of reducing GHG emissions ranged from 0–22 € per ton of CO₂ in our study sites and scenarios. Our results support the idea that omitting DNM or reducing ditch depth may lead to acceptable compromises, as the marginal cost of soil GHG emissions considerably increases with increasing ditch depth.

Niemi, Department of Forest Sciences, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; School of Forest Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 80101 Joensuu, Finland https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0461-3667 E-mail: mikko.t.niemi@helsinki.fi
Palviainen, Department of Forest Sciences, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9963-4748 E-mail: marjo.palviainen@helsinki.fi
Laurén, Department of Forest Sciences, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6835-9568 E-mail: annamari.lauren@helsinki.fi

Category : Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Harvesting Operations - Research article

article id 25047, category Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Harvesting Operations - Research article

Thomas Kronholm, Erik Anerud, Dan Bergström. (2026). Swedish energy plants’ practices and development needs for storage, handling, monitoring and inventory of biofuels. Silva Fennica vol. 60 no. 2 article id 25047. https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.25047

Keywords: biomass; forest fuels; bioenergy; chips; CHP; fuel yard; heating plant

Highlights: Minimizing storage time is the most common measure taken to avoid storage losses; Few cover fuel stacks despite it being considered effective in reducing storage losses; Monitoring fuel quantity and fire risks during storage is often done through subjective methods; The greatest development needs are perceived to be in techniques and methods for inventorying stocks and fuel qualities.

Abstract | Full text in HTML | Full text in PDF | Author Info

Better understanding of the energy plants´ biofuel management and storage strategies, and technologies used for monitoring and forecasting fuel requirements and fuel quality at the energy plants, would facilitate possibilities to direct research and development efforts to promote increase of their efficiency and sustainability in the Swedish energy system. The objectives were therefore to 1) survey Swedish energy plants’ use of current practices for handling, storage, monitoring and inventory of solid biofuels at their feed-in terminals and industry fuel yards and 2) analyse how their current storage management actions taken match with their perceived effectiveness of actions and development needs and theory. The survey shows for example that most fuel transport occurs via truck, and supply contracts commonly span one to two years. While 43% of companies perform their own quality measurements upon delivery, a substantial 37% of respondents were unable to estimate their average annual storage losses. Subjective estimation is the most prevalent method for determining fuel quantity and fire risk during storage. Minimizing storage time was identified as the most effective measure to reduce storage losses. However, we found major gaps between theory and practice. Many energy plants demonstrate a foundational understanding of fuel logistics, but there are significant opportunities for enhancing efficiency and sustainability, by for example: implementing more robust systems for tracking and quantifying storage losses; exploring and integrating advanced technologies for inventory management. Thus, a more data-driven and technologically integrated approach to forest fuel management is crucial for Swedish energy plants to further enhance their resource efficiency, reduce climate impact, and ensure a predictable and cost-effective supply of bioenergy.

Kronholm, Department of Forest Bioeconomy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-90183 Umeå, Sweden https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7066-0667 E-mail: thomas.kronholm@slu.se
Anerud, Department of Forest Bioeconomy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-90183 Umeå, Sweden https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4751-2439 E-mail: erik.anerud1@gmail.com
Bergström, Department of Forest Bioeconomy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-90183 Umeå, Sweden https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5729-683X E-mail: dan.bergstrom@slu.se

Category : Review article

article id 25062, category Review article

Nawwall Arrofaha, Henti H. Rachmat, Andi Salamah, Fifi G. Dwiyanti, Iskandar Z. Siregar, Oliver Gailing, Koichi Kamiya. (2026). What transformation is needed in Indonesia's Dipterocarpaceae research to contribute to global tropical forestry? Silva Fennica vol. 60 no. 2 article id 25062. https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.25062

Keywords: bibliometric analysis, genetic, global, Indonesia, molecular

Highlights: Indonesia is among the countries with the highest Dipterocarp biodiversity; Global studies form two main clusters related to the ecological and phytochemical aspects; Global and Indonesian molecular research focuses on commercially important species; Research in Indonesia is progressing more slowly than global trends, and its domestic research network remains fragmented.

Abstract | Full text in HTML | Full text in PDF | Author Info

The Dipterocarpaceae family comprises the dominant tree species of Southeast Asia’s rainforests, with their centre of diversity in Borneo (Kalimantan) and Sumatra, Indonesia. Despite considerable molecular research on dipterocarps, a comprehensive mapping of the research foci remains lacking. This study aims to identify research priorities, existing gaps, and methodological trends in Dipterocarpaceae studies within Indonesia to inform future research efforts, shape policy directions, and contribute to global sustainable forest management. Through two distinct searches in the Scopus database, 1174 articles were retrieved for bibliometric analysis, and 94 molecular and genetic research articles were selected according to specific keywords and criteria. Bibliometric and thematic analyses revealed two primary clusters within global studies of Dipterocarpaceae: ecology, forestry, and conservation; and phytochemistry and pharmaceutical applications. However, genetic research is primarily focused on species of notable commercial significance, specifically Rubroshorea leprosula (Miq.) P.S.Ashton & J.Heck. and Rubroshorea parvifolia (Dyer) P.S.Ashton & J.Heck. Notably, molecular and genetic research on Dipterocarpaceae in Indonesia is approximately two decades behind prevailing global trends. The current focus of molecular research in Indonesia is directed towards genetic diversity and population structure, with strong international collaborations but fragmented national networks, highlighting the need to diversify themes and strengthen partnerships. Furthermore, studies on endemic and threatened species are scarce. The findings of this study emphasize the critical need to strengthen national research capacity, advance technological development, and foster both domestic and international collaborations to address these significant knowledge gaps in the global conservation of Dipterocarpaceae.

Arrofaha, Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia, Jl. Prof. Dr. Mahar Mardjono Kampus Universitas Indonesia Depok, Depok 16424, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8067-9182 E-mail: nawwall.arrofaha@ui.ac.id
Rachmat, Research Centre for Ecology, National Research and Innovation Agency, Jl. Raya Jakarta-Bogor Km 46, Cibinong, Bogor, West Java 16911, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4586-6820 E-mail: hent003@brin.go.id
Salamah, Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia, Jl. Prof. Dr. Mahar Mardjono Kampus Universitas Indonesia Depok, Depok 16424, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4074-8342 E-mail: salamah@sci.ui.ac.id
Dwiyanti, Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry and Environment, IPB University, Academic Ring Road Campus IPB Dramaga, Bogor, West Java 16680, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0366-3259 E-mail: fifi_dwiyanti@apps.ipb.ac.id
Siregar, Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry and Environment, IPB University, Academic Ring Road Campus IPB Dramaga, Bogor, West Java 16680, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5419-482X E-mail: siregar@apps.ipb.ac.id
Gailing, Department of Forest Genetics and Forest Tree Breeding, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Büsgenweg 2, 37077 Göttingen, Germany https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4572-2408 E-mail: ogailin@gwdg.de
Kamiya, Graduate School of Agriculture, Ehime University, 3-5-7 Tarumi, Matsuyama, Ehime, 790-8566, Japan https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3614-9029 E-mail: kkamiya@agr.ehime-u.ac.jp

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