Management of Boreal Forests: Theories and Applications for Ecosystem Services

The research career of Prof. Seppo Kellomäki has spanned from early 1970s to today. His research activities deal mainly with structure and functioning of boreal forests and sustainable management of boreal forests for varying ecosystem goods and services. His early studies had the focus on multiple use of forest, and management of Scots pine forest for high-quality timber. However, his main contribution in forest science deals with climate change impacts on the dynamics of boreal forest ecosystem in the conditions where forests and forest-based industry are important for the welfare of society.  In this context, his focus has been in experimental studies on how the elevating temperature, atmospheric carbon dioxide and changes in precipitation likely effect on the physiology and growth of boreal tree species. These studies have provided a solid bases for modelling. This has made it possible to understand how climate change likely effects on the long-term dynamics of boreal forest ecosystem and how climate change effects on the future forest management. The main questions have been how management should be used and developed for avoiding detrimental effects of successional dynamics and management of boreal forest ecosystem for different ecosystem services. Many of his research papers further address the problems on how forest management and forests should be adapted to climate warming in the boreal conditions, and how management might be used to mitigate warming.