%0 Reviews
%T Profitability of afforestation on cutaway peatlands with thick peat-layer
%A Lauhanen, Risto
%A Laasasenaho, Kari
%A Aro, Lasse
%A Ojanen, Paavo
%A Minkkinen, Kari
%A Jokelainen, Liisa
%A Liutu, Otto
%A Lohila, Annalea
%D 2025
%J Suo - Mires and peat
%V 76
%N 1-2
%U http://suo.fi/article/10845
%X <p>Recently, energy peat production has decreased rapidly in Finland on sites with thick peat-layer. Many land-owners have interest in afforestation on these sites. In this study, the profitability of afforestation on cutaway peatlands with thick peat-layer (50–60 cm) was investigated based on the history of three mature stands. The applied calculation methods were net present value and internal rate of return. Afforestation was profitable without subsidies for Scots pine stands in Talasneva (Alavus) and in Aitoneva (Kihniö) during the rotation period of 70 years with the interest rate of 3% and the assumed stumpage prices of the 2020’s. Also, forestry was profitable in naturally generated downy birch stand in Aitoneva during 60 years without subsidies, but with the interest rate of 1 % and the stumpage prices of the 2020’s. In addition, re-fertilizations resulted in internal rate of return of 3.5% in Aitoneva Scots pine stand.</p>