Edge presence and orientation drive wind-induced mortality in Swedish forests
Research paper
Key message
Newly created forest edges, particularly those facing westerly winds, substantially raise the risk of wind damage in Swedish forests. Taller and spruce-dominated stands are more vulnerable. Integrating edge orientation and harvest timing into long-term management planning can lower vulnerability and strengthen forest resilience to increasing storm impacts under future climate conditions.
Keywords
Stand composition; Thinning timing; Edge exposure; Forest management; Windthrow; Risk modeling
Publication
Delin, E.V., Holmström, E., Saarela, S. et al. Edge presence and orientation drive wind-induced mortality in Swedish forests. Annals of Forest Science 83, 38 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13595-026-01356-4
Handling editor
Jean-Christophe Domec
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The findings provide an interesting perspective on how forest edges and their orientation can influence wind damage. I particularly appreciate the focus on factors such as stand height, spruce dominance, and harvest timing, as these details can help improve long-term forest management. Considering these factors will become increasingly important as forests face more frequent and severe storms under changing climate conditions.