Optimizing the joint production of timber and bilberries

Berries and mushrooms are increasingly appreciated products of Finnish forests. Therefore, there is a need to integrate them in silvicultural planning. Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) is an economically important wild berry that is widely collected for household consumption and sale in North Karelia, Finland. In this study, bilberry yield models developed recently were included in a stand growth simulator and the joint production of timber and bilberry was optimized by maximizing soil expectation value (SEV) with 3% discounting rate, assuming that 75% of the bilberry yield is harvested. The effect of bilberry production on the optimal stand management increased with increasing bilberry price. With high bilberry prices (4–8 € kg⁻¹) it was optimal to manage the mixed stand of Scots pine, Norway spruce and birch, and the pure stand of Norway spruce so as to promote bilberry production. In the Scots pine stand, where bilberry yields are higher, bilberry production affected optimal stand management already with a price of 2 € kg⁻¹. Compared to timber production, joint production led to longer rotation lengths, higher thinning intensities, more frequent thinnings, and higher share of Scots pine in the mixed stand. The contribution of bilberries to the total SEV increased with increasing bilberry price and discounting rate. In the mixed stand and pine stand the SEV of bilberry production, calculated with 3% discounting rate, exceeded the SEV of timber production when bilberry price was 4 € kg⁻¹.With 4% discounting rate this happened already with bilberry price of 2 € kg⁻¹. It was concluded that forest management which promotes bilberry yields is the most profitable in pine stands where the potential bilberry yields are high.     

Patterns of field layer invertebrates in successional stages of managed boreal forest: Implications for the declining Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus L. population

Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus L.) populations in Finland have decreased markedly during past decades. One of the assumed reasons is the decreased quality of brood feeding grounds since current forest management transfers mature forests to younger successional stages. We studied how different types of managed Finnish forests offer resources for capercaillie broods by comparing the vegetation and invertebrate fauna of four successional stages in the two most common forest types in Finland, spruce dominated Vaccinium myrtillus (MT) and pine dominated Vaccinium vitis-idaea (VT) type. Forest age class had a significant effect on the cover of bilberry. There was a positive correlation between bilberry cover and the biomass of larvae and of all invertebrates (including all developmental stages) both at the stand and the sample level. Both forest type and age class significantly affected the biomass of larvae. Mature stands and young stands had the highest biomass of larvae in both MT and VT. In both forest site types the sapling stands hosted the smallest biomass of larvae. The results suggest that successional stages that follow clear cutting seriously lowers the food availability for capercaillie chicks and also reduces the shelter that field layer might provide. However, already the young stages that follow sapling phases seem to provide both bilberries and invertebrates so it is quite unlikely that the bilberry abundance alone could explain the dramatic decline of the capercaillie.     

Loss in macronutrient pools in bilberry and lingonberry in mesic Scots pine forests after Northern red oak introduction

Forest transformation from coniferous monocultures to mixed stands is being promoted worldwide, including the introduction of fast-growing broadleaved tree species within native stands. Here, we studied how enrichment of temperate European Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) forest by North-American northern red oak Quercus rubra impacted macronutrient concentrations in two long-lived and dominant components of the forest understory: bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus and lingonberry V. vitis-idaea. Study sites were located in forest complexes (central Poland) which occupy continuously reforested lands (hereafter ancient forests) as well as post-agricultural lands (recent forests), all suitable for mesic pine forests. Samples of bilberry and lingonberry leaves, stems, and fruits were collected in pine stands and in adjacent Scots pine-red oak stands, in both ancient and recent forests. Concentrations of macronutrients (C, N, P, K, Ca, S, and Mg) in aboveground biomass components were analysed using standardized chemical procedures. The study revealed intra- and interspecific (bilberry vs. lingonberry) differences in concentrations of all nutrients in leaves, stems, and fruits, except for invariable C concentrations. Macronutrient accumulations in plants were decreased by land-use discontinuity and favoured by enrichment of tree stands by Q. rubra. The estimated macronutrient pools were much higher for V. myrtillus than V. vitis-idaea in all forest types studied. They were lower in forests enriched with Q. rubra, both ancient (up to 25.5% for bilberry and 99.9% for lingonberry) and recent (46.9% and 99.9%, respectively), as well as in recent pine forest (46.6% and 81.1%, respectively) than in ancient pine forest. Higher K and S pools (39.3% and 6.5%, respectively) noted for bilberry in an ancient forest with Q. rubra were exceptions. Despite more effective accumulations of elements at the species level, macronutrient pools of Vaccinium myrtillus and V. vitis-idaea decreased significantly in the presence of introduced Q. rubra due to negative impacts of this broadleaved tree on bilberry and lingonberry cover and biomass. Therefore, the limitation of alien Q. rubra planting in sites of mesic pine forest with the abundant occurrence of V. myrtillus and/or V. vitis-idaea is recommended.

Graphic abstract

     

Integrating bilberry yields into regional long-term forest scenario analyses

In many areas, picking wild berries constitutes an important forest commodity offering food, recreational services, and revenues. Intensified forest management has negatively affected bilberry yields. In this study, regional-level scenario analyses were conducted to investigate the effects of four approaches to the inclusion of bilberry yields on the economics, management, and resulting forest structures in North Karelia. The current approach ignoring bilberries resulted in decreasing bilberry yields and increasing younger forests. When bilberries were valued at market price (1.72?€?kg^?1), bilberry yields still decreased despite the fact that forest management were slightly modified to favour bilberry. Adding non-declining sustainability constraints to bilberry yields resulted in a slightly lower total net present value of timber and bilberry since forest management favoured longer rotation lengths, which increased bilberry yields. Similar effects occurred when the bilberry price was tripled to include the implicit ecosystem benefits of bilberries. When forests were managed only for bilberries (timber zero-priced), bilberry yields started to increase immediately resulting in 1.5-fold difference in 50 years as compared to timber only scenario. In conclusion, managing forests for both timber and bilberry production has rather minor effects on economics, but it can have clear positive effect on bilberry yields.     

Biomass,decomposition and nutrient release of Vaccinium myrtillus leaf litter in four forest stands

Biomass and nutrient transfer (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) leaf litter fall, as well as decomposition and nutrient release, were studied in four mature forest stands situated in Central and South Sweden. Bilberry leaf litter fall amounted to between 33 and 55 kg ha^‐1 yr^‐1 in the four stands. Only minor differences between sites were noted for litter concentrations of N, P and Ca, whereas K and Mg showed somewhat larger variability. Relative amounts of the five nutrient elements in the litter fall were generally in the order N > Ca > K > Mg > P. The amounts of nutrients returned to the forest floor by the annual leaf litter fall in the stands ranged from 0.4 to 0.8 kg ha^‐1 for N, 0.4 to 0.6 kg ha^‐1 for Ca, 0.2 to 0.7 kg ha^‐1 for K, 0.1 to 0.2 kg ha^‐1 for Mg and 0.04 to 0.08 kg ha^‐1 for P.

The decomposition of the local bilberry leaf litter was followed by means of litterbags during three years. At all sites there was an extremely rapid mass loss from the litter (between 45% and 54%) during the first four to five months of decomposition. After this initial phase, the decomposition rates decreased markedly and after three years the accumulated mass losses of the litters varied between 64% and 78% at the studied sites. After two and three years of decomposition, three of the sites exhibited almost similar litter mass losses whereas at the fourth site the litter was decomposed to a significantly lower degree. The pattern of nutrient release from the decomposing bilberry leaf litter differed somewhat from site to site. Minor differences were, however, noted for P, Ca and Mg while N and K were more strongly retained in the litter at one of the sites.     

Occurrence and berry production of Rubus chamaemorus L., Vaccinium oxycoccus L. & Vaccinium microcarpum Turcz. and Vaccinium vitis‐idaea L. on Swedish peatlands

During three consecutive years, 1978–1980, cloudberries (Rubus chamaemorus L.), cranberries (Vaccinium oxycoccus L. & Vaccinium microcarpum Turcz.) and lingonberries Vaccinium vitis‐idaea L.) growing wild in Swedish forests and mires were inventoried in the annual National Forest Survey. Both the coverage and fertility of these were estimated. Observations from 42 000 test sites (314 m² each) were processed according to geographical region, composition of tree and field layer, altitude and occurrence of draining ditches. Cloudberries cover 425 000 hectares or 1.5 % of the total investigated area (28.6 million hectares). The corresponding values for cranberries and lingonberries are 136000 hectares (0.5 %) and 1362000 ha (4.8%) respectively. Open mires have a greater degree of coverage by cloudberry and cranberry than wet forests on peat. The reverse situation is true for lingonberry. The total berry yield on peatland was estimated to 116.6 million kg (freshweight), distributed as 75.7 million kg cloudberries, 20.8 million kg cranberries and 20.1 million kg lingonberries. The corresponding production of lingonberries on mineral soils was 188.8 million kg. Both in wet forests and on mires, drained areas show lower berry production for the three species, with one exception. Lingonberries yielded better on drained mires. Productive stands of cloudberries and cranberries ought not to be drained for economic reasons.     

An approach to clarifying public preferences about silvicultural systems: A case study concerning group selection and clear‐cutting

To avoid large clear‐cut areas in recreation areas, three experiments where group selection was used to transform even‐aged stands of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) into uneven‐aged stands were started. Two of these group selection stands were compared with adjacent forests managed by the clear‐cut system on the basis of the opinion of seven voluntary groups. The respondents have given their judgement of the forest sites in a semantic differential test. All parties made assessments when visiting the forest sites. In addition, two of the groups made assessments of black and white photographs representing the forest sites. The methods used were found to be both reliable and valid. A very low correlation was obtained between the assessment of whole forest areas and the mean value of the assessments of the stands within the same area. According to this study, the group selection method is preferable to clear‐cutting in even‐aged stands of Norway spruce if the attitudes of the voluntary groups are to be met.     

Forest structure classes in central Finnish Lapland

Structure classes and changes in the vegetation attributable to the altitude of the terrain were studied in the Hammastunturi virgin coniferous forest area. The area is located in Finnish Lapland, approximately 250–350 km to the north of the Arctic Circle (68°15'N; 68°45'N). The following forest classes were formed on the basis of the ground vegetation and stand coverage: (1) Pine stands, with birch admixture (n=14), (2) Vaccinium‐vitis‐idaea‐type pine stands (n = 24), (3) Vaccinium myrtillus‐type pine stands (n = 17), (4) mixed stands, dominated by pine (n = 8), (5) mixed stands, dominated by spruce (n=18), (6) paludified spruce stands (n = 3) and (7) vigorously growing spruce stands (n = 6). The forest structure classes were depicted using DCA ordinates. The differences were more distinct than those between the normal forest type classifications of the same sample plots. The basal area and volume of pine decreased with increasing altitude, while the proportion of spruce on those sample plots where it was present increased. Birch was present at an equal frequency at all altitudes. The floral composition and between‐species abundance changed along with increasing altitude. The change in floral frequencies could not be designated to a specific altitude zone.     

崇礼区典型林分空气负离子浓度及影响因素

[目的]对崇礼区3种主要林分类型的空气负离子浓度变化规律以及影响因素进行研究,为该地生态效益评估以及生态旅游规划提供依据。[方法]本研究通过对崇礼区典型林分类型空气负离子浓度进行连续观测,并以开阔无林地为参照对象,采用柱状图、散点图、回归分析等方法研究河北杨(Populus hopeiensis,PHF)、白桦(Betula platyphylla,BF)和油松(Pinus tabulaeformis,PF,)3种纯林以及无林地(NF)空气负离子浓度日变化特征,分析气象因素及植物光合特性对空气负离子的影响,并运用单极系数法以及空气质量系数法对不同林分空气质量进行评价。[结果]表明:(1)空气负离子浓度变化趋势呈双峰型,最低值一般出现在中午,不同林分最高值出现时间不同。不同林分空气负离子浓度具有明显差别,空气负离子浓度从高到底依次为:河北杨(1 101 ion·cm-3)白桦(847 ion·cm-3)油松(755 ion·cm-3)无林地(344 ion·cm-3)。(2)不同林分空气负离子浓度与气温呈负相关,与相对湿度呈正相关;不同林分空气负离子浓度与植物光合特性总体呈正相关。(3)计算空气质量评价参数得出不同林分单极系数从小到大依次为河北杨(0.92)油松(1.01)白桦(1.25)无林地(1.37),各林分空气质量评价指数从大到小依次为河北杨(1.25)白桦(0.85)油松(0.80)无林地(0.27)。[结论]不同林分空气负离子浓度存在差异且阔叶林高于针叶林,空气离子浓度的变化受外界气候因素及自身植物光合特性的影响明显,不同林分空气质量评价指数也存在差异,合理配置林分资源有利于空气质量提升。     

A fuzzy-logic-based expert system for near-view scenic beauty evaluation of hinoki forest

Scenic quality must be assessed in forests for which recreational opportunities have become more important then traditional wood products. Current assessment methods focus on quantitative evaluations that provide digital information to the users. Usually, people prefer more explicit information (i.e., categorical data) than detailed quantitative data on scenic quality assessment. This paper employed fuzzy-logic terminology to define the scenic information of forests, and then tried to develop an expert system for evaluating scenic quality based on fuzzy reasoning. Results showed that a fuzzy-logic-based expert system using a qualitative model labeled with linguistic terms, makes scenic beauty evaluation intuitive and understanding easy by viewing the categorical physical features of forests. This research developed a methodology of building an expert system in this area. It is capable of providing an efficient and useful tool for forest recreation users and forest managers.     

Predicting stand-thinning maturity from airborne laser scanning data

Abstract

Airborne laser scanning (ALS) has been used in recent years to acquire accurate remote-sensing material for carrying out practical forest inventories. Still, much of the information needed in forest management planning must be collected in the field. For example, forest management proposals are often determined in the field by an expert. In the present study, statistical features extracted from ALS data were used in logistic regression models and in nonparametric k-MSN estimation to predict the thinning maturity of stands. The research material consisted of 381 treewise measured circular plots in young and advanced thinning stands from the vicinity of Evo, in southern Finland. Timing of thinning was determined in the field by an expert and coded as a binary variable. Models were developed (1) to locate stands that will reach thinning maturity within the next 10-year period and (2) for stands in which thinning should be done immediately. For comparison purposes, logistic regression models were formulated from accurately field-measured stand characteristics. Logistic regression models based on ALS features predicted the thinning maturity with a classification accuracy of 79% (1) and 83% (2). The respective percentages were 66% and 83% with models based on field-measured stand characteristics and 70% and 86% with k-MSN. The study showed that ALS data can be used to predict stand-thinning maturity in a practical way.     

Impacts of bucking and delimbing alternatives on pulpwood and energy wood yields in young thinning stands in Finland

The supply of energy wood from young forests could be enhanced by altering the harvesting methods in integrated pulpwood and energy wood thinnings. In this study, effects of different bucking and delimbing options on the biomass division into energy wood, pulpwood and logging residue were estimated in integrated thinnings of young stands dominated by Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), Norway spruce (Picea abies) or birches (Betula spp.) in Finland. Thinning options were simulated in the harvestings of model stands created on the basis of forest inventory data. Increasing the minimum top diameter of pulpwood (MTDP) expectedly increased energy wood and decreased pulpwood yields. Depending on tree species, energy wood yield increased by 36–65% when the top diameter was increased from the regular level (6 or 7 cm) to 8 cm in whole-tree harvesting, and was more than doubled when the top diameter was increased to 10 cm. Delimbed energy wood yield was increased by 240–280% when the top diameter was increased to 10 cm. Total harvesting yield in whole-tree thinnings was slightly increased by increasing top diameter. These increments in harvesting yields and reallocations of tree biomass could have an impact on large-scale forest energy potentials.     

天然笃斯越桔优异种质选择及苗木规模化生产技术

在笃斯越桔天然群体果实性状变异分析的基础上,系统进行林分类型间植株生长、单株结实量的对比分析与综合评价,确定"白桦+赤杨+柴桦+柳树+笃斯越桔+越桔+杜香"、"白桦+柴桦+柳树+笃斯越桔+杜香"及"白桦+柳树+笃斯越桔"林分类型内的笃斯越桔为优良群体。综合考虑植株生长、单株结实量、果实类型及果实性状的变异程度,初步认定:生长在"白桦+赤杨+柴桦+柳树+笃斯越桔+越桔+杜香"林分类型内的笃斯越桔为优异种质。同时,创新提出优异种质组织培养规模化苗木繁育的关键技术,为笃斯越桔遗传改良和优异种质的创新利用提供科技支撑。     

Effects of Forest Management on Field Layer Vegetation: A Comparison Between Finnish and Russian Karelia

The effects of forest management on the field layer vegetation were compared between Finnish and Russian Karelia in a total of 46 mature stands representing pine, spruce and deciduous forests. In Finland, the number of species was slightly higher in each forest type. Many grassland species, such as Galium boreale , Lathyrus pratensis , and Veronica officinalis , were more abundant in Finnish deciduous stands (14.4 species, mean cover 15.8%) than in Russian stands (9.6 species, mean cover 11.5%). Dwarf shrubs, such as Calluna vulgaris (mean cover: Fin 3.3%, Rus 7.7%) and Vaccinium vitis-idaea (Fin 25.0%, Rus 26.9%) in pine stands, and Vaccinium myrtillus (Fin 22.9%, Rus 31.5%) in spruce stands, were more abundant in Russia. Ferns and graminoids exhibited no differences between the two countries. The observed differences were likely to result from the lower tree stand density, more extensive fragmentation and fertilisation of forests in Finland, the higher frequency of forest fires and more intensive grazing in Russian forests, and from differences in natural conditions between Finnish and Russian Karelia.     

Control of bilberry vegetation by steam treatment – effects on seeded Scots pine and associated mycorrhizal fungi

In boreal forest, ground vegetation of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) and feather mosses strongly suppress seed regeneration of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). We investigated a site preparation technique by steam treatment to control bilberry and moss vegetation after clear cutting. Sowing experiments were performed between 1993 and 1995 with Scots pine in four treatments: (1) untreated vegetation, (2) activated carbon added to the soil surface of otherwise intact ground vegetation, (3) steam treated vegetation, and (4) activated carbon added to the soil surface of steam treated vegetation. Activated carbon was added to adsorb possible phenolic compounds released from bilberry leaves and litter. Steam killed ground vegetation effectively and recolonisation of vascular plants and mosses was slow. Scots pine seedling establishment was improved by steam treatment especially when activated carbon was added to the soil surface. We interpret that activated carbon adsorbed and reduced the levels of phenolics from bilberry litter and humus, which otherwise may inhibit seed germination. Dry weight of four year old seedlings was three times higher in steam treated plots than in untreated plots. Seedling nutrient content was also strongly improved by steam treatment. We interpret the increased growth of seedlings in steam treated plots mainly as an effect of reduced resource competition from ground vegetation. Irrespective of treatment, almost all fine roots were colonised by ectomycorrhizal fungi. Using PCR-based molecular methods we were able to identify 28 taxa forming mycorrhiza on the seedlings. Steam treatment did not affect species richness and abundance of ectomycorrhizal inocculum. We conclude that steam treatment has the potential to be an efficient and environmentally acceptable method to reduce negative influence of bilberry vegetation on Scots pine seedling establishment and early growth.     

Simultaneous Estimations of Forest Parameters using Aerial Photograph Interpreted Data and the k Nearest Neighbour Method

Information about the state of the forest is of vital importance in forest management planning. To enable high-precision modelling, many forest planning systems demand input data at the single-tree level. The conventional strategy for collecting such data is a plot-wise field inventory. This is expensive and, thus, cost-efficient alternatives are of interest. During recent years, the focus has been on remote sensing techniques. The k nearest neighbour (kNN) estimation method is a way to assign plot-wise data to all stands in a forest area, using remotely sensed data in connection with a sparse sample of field reference plots. Plot-wise aerial photograph interpretations combined with information from a stand register were used in this study. Nearness to a reference plot was decided upon using a regression transform distance. Standing stem volume was estimated with a relative root mean square error (RMSE) equal to 20% at the stand level, while age could be estimated with a RMSE equal to 15%. A cost-efficient data-capturing strategy could be to assign plot data with the presented kNN method to some types of forest, while using traditional field inventories in other, more valuable, stands.     

Long-term ecological impacts of clear-fell logging on tree species diversity in a subtropical forest,southern Japan

Defining the spatial arrangement and length of the cutting cycle in a logged area is crucial for reconciling potential conflicts between timber yields and maintenance of ecosystem services in natural forests. In this study, we investigated long-term impacts of clear-fell logging on timber production and tree species diversity in a subtropical forest on the Ryukyu Islands, using an individual-based simulation model. We assumed six logging scenarios defined by combinations of forest type and regeneration processes, which acted as surrogates for spatial scales of clear-fell logging. These scenarios were simulated under cutting cycles ranging from 20 to 150 years. Short-cutting cycles resulted in dominance by the sprouting species Castanopsis sieboldii. The compositional shift was accelerated by the lack of seed dispersal from surrounding forest areas. The simulations demonstrated that a sustainable logging regime maintaining both yield and tree species diversity requires a cutting cycle longer than 50 years. The simulation results also suggest that the trade-off between the recovery of tree species diversity and timber production is favored more in stands surrounded by mature forest than in isolated stands or stands surrounded by immature forest. Ecological risk assessments based on model simulations provide an alternative to current forest management practices that rely on empirical knowledge.     

Lepidoptera larvae as food for capercaillie chick (tetrao urogallus): A field experiment

Lepidoptera larvae are important prey for capercaillie chicks {Tetrao urogallus), but utilization varies among habitats. This field experiment investigates the effects of larval feeding behaviour, abundance and the density of bilberry (Vacciniwn myrtillus) on utilization of larvae by a group of four capercaille chicks and also tests whether chick utilization differs between wet and dry coniferous forest. In fenced plots, four hand‐raised chicks were released for a 15 min feeding period. Reduction of geometrid larvae was correlated positively with their abundance but correlated negatively with bilberry density. Geometrids had a much higher predation risk than pyralids and tortricids, probably because they are exposed while feeding, in contrast to pyralids and tortricids. Total reduction of lepidoptera was higher in wet than dry forest, probably due to a higher proportion of geometrid larvae, and lower density of bilberry in the wet forest. The manner of insect feeding and habitat type (e.g. wet and dry forest), which influence bilberry density, therefore may be important factors to consider when assessing or managing habitat quality for capercaillie chicks.     

Insect natural enemies of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ips typographus</Emphasis> (L.) (Coleoptera,Scolytinae) in managed and unmanaged stands of mixed lowland forest in Poland

We tested the effects of forest management type (managed vs. unmanaged) on the abundances of Ips typographus (L.) (Col., Curculionidae, Scolytinae) and related parasitoids and predators reared from spruce bolts exposed in Białowieża, Poland. Habitat availability for these species differed between forest types mainly as a result of regular sanitary fellings occurring in managed forests. Populations of the common polyphagous insect predators Paromalus paralellepipedus (Herbst) and Plegaderus vulneratus (Panz.) (Col., Histeridae) or parasitoids Rhopalicus tutela (Walk.), Dinotiscus eupterus (Walk.) and Roptrocerus xylophagorum Ratz. (Hym., Pteromalidae) related to I. typographus did not differ between managed and unmanaged forests. Only Thanasimus spp. (Col., Cleridae) was significantly more abundant in managed forest, possibly because it was favored by the more open, sunny stands. However, the experiment was performed in stands where spruce is only a minor component and during the non-epidemic phase of the bark beetle population, so further experiments may be necessary to determine if the effects of sanitary fellings are greater in different forest types and at different stages of the population cycle.     

Burning and mowing as habitat management for capercaillie Tetrao urogallus: An experimental test

In Scots pine Pinus sylvestris forests, the important ecological effects of natural fires could be emulated using prescribed fire. Species that may benefit from fire effects include capercaillie Tetrao urogallus, a large forest grouse. A key component of forest habitats for capercaillie is the ericaceous shrub, bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus, which is eaten by capercaillie, and supports abundant arthropods, taken by young chicks. We carried out an experiment testing whether prescribed burning would be a valuable technique for capercaillie habitat management. The study took place at Abernethy Forest, the largest ancient native pinewood in Britain, and a key capercaillie site, holding c 8-20% of the British population. Prescribed fire in woodland is highly novel in Britain. We therefore also tested mowing, which might replicate some fire effects more cheaply and safely. Twenty-five experimental blocks were established within open pine stands with ground vegetation including bilberry, but dominated by heather Calluna vulgaris. Each block held three 700 m² plots, randomly assigned to control, mow and burn. Vegetation, arthropods and capercaillie dung were monitored over a 7-year period, including 1 year prior to treatment. Mean bilberry cover, initially around 12%, increased in mown and burnt areas, but there were also increases in controls, following unusual natural die-back of heather. By the sixth season after treatment, bilberry cover was significantly higher in burnt and mown areas than controls, averaging 27% (95% confidence intervals 24-30), compared to 20% (19-21) in controls. Biomass of spiders, an important dietary group for capercaillie chicks, as measured by pitfall trapping, was significantly higher in burnt and mown plots than controls, by about 56% (38-76). However, biomass of caterpillars, often considered a more important dietary group, did not show clear differences between treatments. An alternative analysis was used to ‘statistically remove’ natural heather die-back; this enhanced the treatment differences in bilberry cover and spider biomass. Capercaillie dung counts suggested that burnt, and especially mown areas, had more summer capercaillie usage than controls. Capercaillie conservation at sites similar to Abernethy is likely to benefit from either prescribed fire or mowing, because these techniques increase bilberry and spider abundance. This study illustrates the value of collaboration between researchers and land-managers, in developing and testing novel management techniques. We support the idea that ‘dominance reduction’, delivered through managed disturbance, offers a general principle to guide land-managers wishing to maintain biodiversity, particularly where key species, like capercaillie, are strongly associated with sub-dominant plant species like bilberry.