Pre-commercial Thinnings In Private Forests ; Jaunuolynų ugdomųjų kirtimų kompleksinis vertinimas privačiuose miškuose

Abstract

This thesis was started in order to find out how pre-commercial thinnings are violated in Lithuania. Analysis has been done in four methodological steps. Understanding forest owners' behaviour to pre-commercial thinnings (PCT) is impossible without verifying real situation in practice. Therefore in the beginning inspection of 15 thoroughly selected sample stands was carried in central part of Lithuania. Results revealed that in none of 15 stands pre-commercial thinnings were performed as it is required by legislation. Only two stands showed some marks of PCT. Important factor having significant effect on application of thinnings in private forests is legislation system. Therefore Forest Law (2010a), Regulations for forest felling (2010b) and Regulations for tending and usage of private forests (2004) were analyzed. Regretfully pre-commercial thinnings as mandatory forest management tool until recently has not been described in any of the listed documents. Economic factors such as subsidies or loans could also be a part of implication of pre-commercial thinnings in private forests. Support from European Union funds is available in Lithuanian, though some requirements and stages of application process are not well appreciated by forest owners and stop them from using it. The main causes are: prohibition to perform thinnings for owners themselves; relatively small percent PCT expenses covered; too long and in some cases too messy support implementation process. For analysis of persuasion tools available courses for private forest owners where performance and gain from pre-commercial thinnings would be explained were investigated. Analysis resulted in opinion that private forest owners are not well informed about the existence of such courses. Possible reasons are wider discussed in results. Economic calculations were made employing methodology that is widely used in Scandinavian countries. Cash flow differences between treated and untreated sample stands during rotation were calculated. Net present value and internal rate of return were also computed. Study presented results that pre-commercial thinnings pays off already in commercial thinnings and gives better results in any forest management stage than those for management without PCT.