The Potential for Using Spruce (Picea) in Icelandic Forestry

• Main Author: Mai Lynn Duong 1989-
• Other Authors: Háskóli Íslands
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2023
• Subjects: Umhverfis- og auðlindafræði; Grenitré; Skógrækt; Canada; Iceland; Alaska
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1946/43327

The aim of this study was to analyze the Icelandic Forest Service’s provenance study of spruces (Picea spp.) that was started in 1995 and 1996 to determine which species and their original sources would be best for afforestation. Experimental plots were divided into two categories: protected (i.e., non-frost-prone) and frost-prone. Survival and height data were collected from nine field sites across Iceland with the last data collection in 2018. Each site had 8 or 10 blocks and every block usually contained 10 seedlings from 14-50 provenances of mostly spruces. The provenances mainly originated from southern Alaska and western Canada. Results indicate that at protected locations, Sitka spruce (P. sitchensis) and Sitka spruce hybrids survive and grow well, while white spruce (P. glauca) and its hybrids have the advantage in frost-prone areas. Provenance 3, a Sitka spruce mixed with Lutz spruce (P. x lutzii) from Iniskin Bay, Alaska, is the only provenance recommended for both types of sites. This information will help afforestation in Iceland in a way that brings environmental advantages and sustainable practices, such as minimizing soil erosion, increasing carbon sequestration, and reducing the risks of invasive species. Furthermore, it can contribute to the development of a viable timber industry that benefits local and national economies through sustainable resource management. Finally, forestry strategies need to consider climate change to ensure long-term success of afforestation efforts in Iceland. Keywords: spruce, provenance, frost-prone, afforestation, Iceland Markmið rannsóknarinnar var að mæla og greina lifun og vöxt kvæmatilraunar í greni (Picea spp.) sem Skógræktin stofnaði til árin 1995 og 1996 og finna út hvaða grenitegundir og kvæmi þeirra henta best til nýskógræktar. Tilraunastaðirnir voru metnir í tvo flokka eftir frosthættu sem tóku mið af legu í landslagi, annars vegar litla frosthættu og hins vegar verulega frosthættu. Lifun trjánna var metin og hæð mæld í alls 9 tilraunasvæðum víða um ...