How to translate text using browser tools
1 December 2010 Environmental Services Provided from Riparian Forests in the Nordic Countries
Per Gundersen, Ari Laurén, Leena Finér, Eva Ring, Harri Koivusalo, Magne Sætersdal, Jan-Olov Weslien, Bjarni D. Sigurdsson, Lars Högbom, Jukka Laine, Karin Hansen
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Riparian forests (RF) growing along streams, rivers and lakes comprise more than 2% of the forest area in the Nordic countries (considering a 10 m wide zone from the water body). They have special ecological functions in the landscape. They receive water and nutrients from the upslope areas, are important habitats for biodiversity, have large soil carbon stores, but may emit more greenhouse gases (GHG) than the uplands. In this article, we present a review of the environmental services related to water protection, terrestrial biodiversity, carbon storage and greenhouse gas dynamics provided by RF in the Nordic countries. We discuss the benefits and trade-offs when leaving the RF as a buffer against the impacts from upland forest management, in particular the impacts of clear cutting. Forest buffers are effective in protecting water quality and aquatic life, and have positive effects on terrestrial biodiversity, particularly when broader than 40 m, whereas the effect on the greenhouse gas exchange is unclear.

© Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences 2010
Per Gundersen, Ari Laurén, Leena Finér, Eva Ring, Harri Koivusalo, Magne Sætersdal, Jan-Olov Weslien, Bjarni D. Sigurdsson, Lars Högbom, Jukka Laine, and Karin Hansen "Environmental Services Provided from Riparian Forests in the Nordic Countries," AMBIO: A Journal of the Human Environment 39(8), 555-566, (1 December 2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-010-0073-9
Received: 24 November 2009; Accepted: 26 April 2010; Published: 1 December 2010
JOURNAL ARTICLE
12 PAGES

This article is only available to subscribers.
It is not available for individual sale.
+ SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

KEYWORDS
biodiversity
Clear cutting
Greenhouse gas exchange
Riparian forest buffer
surface water quality
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top