Tree Species Conversion to Diminish Forest’s Water Use — Financial Consequences of a Controversial Forest Management Practice in the Netherlands Available to Purchase

The increase in water consumption in recent decades has caused the groundwater level to decline over much of the Netherlands, often resulting in parching. Conversion of forest tree species has been recommended as a measure to increase this level to restore the vegetation and soil life, because converting from so-called dark coniferous species to so-called light coniferous species and broadleaved species should diminish the forest’s water use. The financial consequences of this for the forest owner are calculated. They comprise the cost of converting existing stands — mainly Douglas-fir — to oak, Scots pine and Japanese larch and the cost of abandoning the expansion of the area under Douglas-fir. The costs of converting existing stands depend on the replacement species, the discount rate and the age at which Douglas-fir is converted. The costs of conversion are expressed per m³ difference in water use between species. The arguments of the Dutch forestry community against conversion are discussed. Some are ideological, others refer to uncertainty or to the financial consequences.