Sustainability in multi-aged stands: an analysis of long-term plenter systems

Long-term research plots in multi-aged stands managed with theplenter system were assessed to evaluate sustainability of theplenter system in Central Europe. Plots primarily consistedof Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst., silver fir (Abiesalba Mill.) or European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and weremeasured for seven to 16 measurement intervals over 60–91years. Sustainability was assessed with four types of criteria:stand density, tree species diversity, basal area increment,and stand structure. Comparable even-aged stands were also analysedto compare and evaluate the performance of the measures of sustainability.Measures of species diversity, increment and stand structuraldiversity generally experienced increasing trends over timein these even-aged stands. Basal area generally increased andtrees ha^-1 decreased in multi-aged stands following similarpatterns as in even-aged stands. These results suggest thatthe plenter system is still evolving and is not the model ofsustainability often assumed. Many of the measures used havepotential as indicators of sustainability in multi-aged stands.