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   The discussion surrounding forest management principles, particularly those related to rotation and continuous cover forestry (CCF), has gained considerable momentum in Estonia in recent years. Advocacy for the adoption of selection cuttings over clear-cutting has been prominent. Despite the longstanding practice of continuous cover forest management in Estonia, there is a noticeable absence of economic analyses on this subject. This study aims to investigate pertinent criteria and methodologies for the economic assessment of alternative silvicultural systems. Additionally, we deliberate on the factors influencing the transition from even-aged to uneven-aged forest management.

   The profitability of uneven-aged stand management was compared with even-aged forest management using an experimental stand that underwent recent selection cutting. To compute cash flows, stand inventory and removal data, categorised by timber assortments, were utilised to delineate changes in growing stock, timber prices and forest management costs. Net present value (NPV) was employed to assess rotation and continuous cover forest management scenarios.

   The calculation results indicate that, in the long term, the NPV of CCF management is relatively similar to even-aged stand management at a 1% interest rate but lower when higher interest rates are applied. Prevailing requirements currently limit the economic attractiveness of transformation from even-aged to uneven-aged stand management. Revising forest management rules is imperative to enhance the profitability of uneven-aged forest management in Estonia. Adjustments to the stand age should be made, enabling selection felling and reducing the required minimum post-cutting basal area.

Keywords: continuous cover forestry, silvicultural systems, selection cutting, economics.

   The study examined a free-growing (initial stand density 400 trees ha–1), 50-year-old grafted clonal Norway spruce plantation in Eastern Latvia to assess the genetic control and variability of growth traits and wood density. The latter was used as a proxy for structural timber strength. Results showed moderately high heritability in growth traits and moderate variability in wood density among clones, with an estimated genetic coefficient of variation CV_g, of 8.6%. Even when grown at a very low density on nutrient-rich soil, 85% of the trees met the density requirements for construction timber (C18 in accordance with EN 338). The negative correlation between growth traits and wood density was weak at both individual tree and clonal levels (–0.08 < r_P < –0.06; –0.16 < r_G < –0.09), making it feasible to select fast growing clones with wood density required for structural timber. The observed variation underscores the importance of selective breeding to ensure optimal timber quality, with implications for enhancing sawn wood strength grades and promoting climate-resilient forestry practices.

Keywords: tree breeding, structural timber, clonal forestry, wood properties, plantation forestry, climate-smart forestry.

   Restoration of degraded ecosystems is crucial for the conservation of biodiversity and the provision of ecosystem services. In this study, we evaluated the success of forest restoration efforts in Buner District, Pakistan, by assessing tree species diversity and forest structure. The study area was divided into assisted natural regeneration sites and plantations. Altogether thirty sites (by fifteen for assisted natural regeneration and for plantations) were randomly selected, covering the entire area. The result revealed that the assisted natural regeneration sites comprised thirteen diverse species dominated by Pinus roxburghii (54.78%), followed by Dodonaea viscosa (12.14%). In comparison, the plantation sites consisted of sixteen various species dominated by Eucalyptus camaldulensis (77.45%), followed by Robinia pseudoacacia (8.77%). The results further indicated that the average survival rate of the study area was 58.49% with the highest survival rate of 82.45% at the Ambela site and the lowest survival rate of 37.04% at the Budal site. Moreover, the number of exotic species used in plantations was limited; however, their proportion in the study area was much higher (91.15%) than that of the indigenous species (8.85%). A correlation matrix was developed to understand the relationship between seedling density (as a dependent variable) in naturally regenerating sites and influencing factors (as explanatory variables). Results showed that grazing, grass cutting, mean temperature and disturbance negatively correlated with seedling density, whereas elevation and annual precipitation positively correlated. Also, a stepwise linear regression model between seedling density and influencing factors was developed.

Keywords: species composition, Pinus roxburghii, assisted natural regeneration, tree plantations, survival rate, forest disturbance.