Holzausbeute

Holzausbeute is the amount of timber that can be harvested from a forest stand over a given planning horizon without compromising future production. It is typically expressed as volume per area, most commonly in cubic meters per hectare (m3/ha) or as a total stand volume. The concept is central to forest management and planning, providing a basis for yield forecasts, harvest scheduling, and economic assessments.

Estimating holzausbeute involves growth models and yield tables that link stand age, species composition, site conditions, and management history to expected wood volumes. Key tools include site index, rotation length, and growth curves such as the mean annual increment (MAI) and current annual increment (CAI). In practice, the sustainable harvest is planned to align with the stand’s growth rate, often aiming to keep removals roughly in step with the CAI and within the long-term MAI trajectory to maintain productive capacity.

Applications and implications of holzausbeute include timber supply planning, profitability analysis, and certification standards. It informs decisions on thinning, planting, and rotation length, as well as supplier commitments and risk management. While the concept aims for sustainability, actual harvest levels are influenced by site quality, species mix, climate variability, pests, and market conditions, and may be adjusted to meet ecological goals such as biodiversity conservation, soil protection, and habitat preservation.

Limitations of holzausbeute include its dependence on accurate growth data and assumptions about future conditions. Variability among species and sites means planning requires region-specific models and regular updating. In practice, managers use holzausbeute as a planning target rather than a fixed harvest prescription, balancing production with ecological and economic objectives.