1. Climate mitigation and intensified forest management in Norway: To what extent are surface waters safeguarded?
- Author
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Marianne Karlsson, Øyvind Kaste, Froukje Maria Platjouw, Frode Sundnes, Nicholas Clarke, and Salar Valinia
- Subjects
Conservation of Natural Resources ,010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences ,020209 energy ,Climate Change ,Geography, Planning and Development ,Forest management ,Climate mitigation ,Climate change ,02 engineering and technology ,Forests ,01 natural sciences ,Sustainable forestry ,Environmental Effects of a Green Bio-Economy ,Fertilisation ,Stocking ,Source water ,Afforestation ,0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering ,Environmental Chemistry ,Environmental planning ,VDP::Landbruks- og Fiskerifag: 900::Fiskerifag: 920 ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,Intensification ,Ecology ,Norway ,Surface waters ,Uncertainty ,Forestry ,General Medicine ,VDP::Matematikk og Naturvitenskap: 400 ,Water resources ,Environmental science ,Water quality - Abstract
While the role of forestry in mitigating climate change is increasingly subject to political commitment, other areas, such as water protection, may be at risk. In this study, we ask whether surface waters are sufficiently safeguarded in relation to the 2015 launch of a series of measures to intensify forest management for mitigation of climate change in Norway. First, we assess how impacts on water are accounted for in existing regulations for sustainable forestry. Secondly, we provide an overview of the impacts of forestry on water quality relevant to three support schemes: afforestation on new areas, increased stocking density in existing forests, and forest fertilisation. Lastly, we assess the uncertainties that exist with regard to surface waters in the implementation of these measures. We find that the safeguards in place are adequate to protect water resources at the point of initiation, but there is a large degree of uncertainty as to the long-term effect of these mitigation measures.
- Published
- 2020