Johan Bergh

Some people know exactly what career they wish to pursue. For me, my choice of education was rather random – the educational programme in Forestry was my third choice. However, I think it all turned out well, especially given the opportunity to interact with Swedish forestry and the surrounding community. I see myself as a generalist and interdisciplinary collaboration greatly stimulates me. I always seek to explain and understand why things are the way they are.

My area of expertise is ecophysiology, forest production and forest management, all linked together by the effects of climate change. My work mainly concerns how nutrient dynamics and climate change may affect boreal forest ecosystems, including risks related to climate change. Adapted forest management is one way to take advantage of the new situation, to handle potential risks and to minimise damage.

My work also includes how to manage the forest to mitigate effects of climate change through uptake/storage of carbon dioxide and through an optimal usage of the forest raw material. Collaboration with the Swedish forest industry and society constitutes a big part of my work. I also work internationally to give advice on plantation forestry.

My research groups

My ongoing research projects

My completed research projects

Publications

Article in journal (Refereed)

Grelle, A., Hedwall, P., Strömgren, M., Håkansson, C., Bergh, J. (2023). From source to sink : recovery of the carbon balance in young forests. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology. 330.
Status: Published
Svensson, C., Bader, M.K., Löf, M., Johansson, U., Bergh, J. (2023). Fertilisation and irrigation have no effects on growth of oak (Quercus robur, Q. petraea) stands on abandoned farmland in southwest Sweden. Forest Ecology and Management. 529.
Status: Published
Fagerberg, N., Seifert, S., Seifert, T., Lohmander, P., Alissandrakis, A., et al. (2023). Prediction of knot size in uneven-sized Norway spruce stands in Sweden. Forest Ecology and Management. 544.
Status: Published
Fagerberg, N., Olsson, J., Lohmander, P., Andersson, M., Bergh, J. (2022). Individual-tree distance-dependent growth models for uneven-sized Norway spruce. Forestry (London). 95. 634-646.
Status: Published
Eriksson, L.O., Bergh, J. (2022). A Tool for Long-Term Forest Stand Projections of Swedish Forests. Forests. 13 (6).
Status: Published
Fagerberg, N., Lohmander, P., Eriksson, O., Olsson, J., Poudel, B.C., et al. (2022). Evaluation of individual-tree growth models for Picea abies based on a case study of an uneven-sized stand in southern Sweden. Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research. 37 (1). 45-58.
Status: Published
Persson, M., Trubins, R., Eriksson, L.O., Bergh, J., Sonesson, J., et al. (2022). Precision thinning : a comparison of optimal stand-level and pixel-level thinning. Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research. 37 (2). 99-108.
Status: Published
Nilsson, J.A., Jones, G., Håkansson, C., Blom, Å., Bergh, J. (2021). Effects of Fertilization on Wood Formation in Naturally Regenerated Juvenile Silver Birch in a Norway Spruce Stand in South Sweden. Forests. 12 (4).
Status: Published
Håkansson, C., Hedwall, P., Strömgren, M., Axelsson, M., Bergh, J. (2021). Effects of fertilization on soil CH₄ and N₂O fluxes in young Norway spruce stands. Forest Ecology and Management. 499.
Status: Published
Nilsson, O., Hodge, G.R., Frampton, L.J., Dvorak, W.S., Bergh, J. (2020). Growth and modulus of elasticity of pine species and hybrids three years after planting in South Africa. Southern Forests, a journal of forest science. 82 (4). 367-376.
Status: Published
Almeida, J.P., Rosenstock, N.P., Forsmark, B., Bergh, J., Wallander, H. (2019). Ectomycorrhizal community composition and function in a spruce forest transitioning between nitrogen and phosphorus limitation. Fungal ecology. 40. 20-31.
Status: Published
Subramanian, N., Nilsson, U., Mossberg, M., Bergh, J. (2019). Impacts of climate change, weather extremes and alternative strategies in managed forests. Ecoscience. 26 (1). 53-70.
Status: Published
Nilsson, D., Nilsson, B., Thörnqvist, T., Bergh, J. (2018). Amount of nutrients extracted and left behind at a clear-felled area using the fresh-stacked and dried-stacked methods of logging residue extraction. Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research. 33 (5). 437-445.
Status: Published
Klapwijk, M.J., Boberg, J., Bergh, J., Bishop, K., Björkman, C., et al. (2018). Capturing complexity : Forests, decision-making and climate change mitigation action. Global Environmental Change. 52. 238-247.
Status: Published
Hedwall, P., Bergh, J., Brunet, J. (2017). Phosphorus and nitrogen co-limitation of forest ground vegetation under elevated anthropogenic nitrogen deposition. Oecologia. 185 (2). 317-326.
Status: Published
Cintas, O., Berndes, G., Hansson, J., Poudel, B.C., Bergh, J., et al. (2017). The potential role of forest management in Swedish scenarios towards climate neutrality by mid century. Forest Ecology and Management. 383 (Special Issue). 73-84.
Status: Published
Subramanian, N., Bergh, J., Johansson, U., Nilsson, U., Sallnäs, O. (2016). Adaptation of Forest Management Regimes in Southern Sweden to Increased Risks Associated with Climate Change. Forests. 7 (1).
Status: Published
Roberge, J., Laudon, H., Björkman, C., Ranius, T., Sandström, C., et al. (2016). Socio-ecological implications of modifying rotation lengths in forestry. Ambio. 45 (Supplement 2). S109-S123.
Status: Published
Nordström, E., Forsell, N., Lundström, A., Korosuo, A., Bergh, J., et al. (2016). Impacts of global climate change mitigation scenarios on forests and harvesting in Sweden. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 46 (12). 1427-1438.
Status: Published
Keskitalo, E.C.H., Bergh, J., Felton, A., Björkman, C., Berlin, M., et al. (2016). Adaptation to Climate Change in Swedish Forestry. Forests. 7 (2).
Status: Published
Lundmark, T., Bergh, J., Nordin, A., Fahlvik, N., Poudel, B.C. (2016). Comparison of carbon balances between continuous-cover and clear-cut forestry in Sweden. Ambio. 45 (supplement 2). S203-S213.
Status: Published
Felton, A., Nilsson, U., Sonesson, J., Felton, A.M., Roberge, J., et al. (2016). Replacing monocultures with mixed-species stands : Ecosystem service implications of two production forest alternatives in Sweden. Ambio. 45. S124-S139.
Status: Published
Subramanian, N., Karlsson, P.E., Bergh, J., Nilsson, U. (2015). Impact of Ozone on Sequestration of Carbon by Swedish Forests under a Changing Climate : A Modeling Study. Forest Science. 61 (3). 445-457.
Status: Published
Bahr, A., Ellström, M., Bergh, J., Wallander, H. (2015). Nitrogen leaching and ectomycorrhizal nitrogen retention capacity in a Norway spruce forest fertilized with nitrogen and phosphorus. Plant and Soil. 390 (1-2). 323-335.
Status: Published
Hedwall, P., Bergh, J., Nordin, A. (2015). Nitrogen-retention capacity in a fertilized forest after clear-cutting : the effect of forest-floor vegetation. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 45 (1). 130-134.
Status: Published
Lundmark, T., Bergh, J., Hofer, P., Lundström, A., Nordin, A., et al. (2014). Potential roles of Swedish forestry in the context of climate change mitigation. Forests. 5 (4). 557-578.
Status: Published
Bergh, J., Nilsson, U., Allen, H.L., Johansson, U., Fahlvik, N. (2014). Long-term responses of Scots pine and Norway spruce stands in Sweden to repeated fertilization and thinning. Forest Ecology and Management. 320. 118-128.
Status: Published
Hedwall, P., Brunet, J., Nordin, A., Bergh, J. (2013). Changes in the abundance of keystone forest floor species in response to changes of forest structure. Journal of Vegetation Science. 24 (2). 296-306.
Status: Published
Routa, J., Kellomäki, S., Strandman, H., Bergh, J., Pulkkinen, P., et al. (2013). The timber and energy biomass potential of intensively managed cloned Norway spruce stands. Global Change Biology Bioenergy. 5 (1). 43-52.
Status: Published
Hedwall, P., Grip, H., Linder, S., Lövdahl, L., Nilsson, U., et al. (2013). Effects of clear-cutting and slash removal on soil water chemistry and forest-floor vegetation in a nutrient optimised Norway spruce stand. Silva Fennica. 47 (2).
Status: Published
Rabasa, S.G., Granda, E., Benavides, R., Kunstler, G., Espelta, J.M., et al. (2013). Disparity in elevational shifts of European trees in response to recent climate warming. Global Change Biology. 19 (8). 2490-2499.
Status: Published
Poudel, B.C., Sathre, R., Bergh, J., Gustavsson, L., Lundström, A., et al. (2012). Potential effects of intensive forestry on biomass production and total carbon balance in north-central Sweden. Environmental Science and Policy. 15 (1). 106-124.
Status: Published
Berlin, M., Sonesson, J., Bergh, J., Jansson, G. (2012). The effect of fertilization on genetic parameters in Picea abies clones in central Sweden and consequences for breeding and deployment. Forest Ecology and Management. 270. 239-247.
Status: Published
Edenius, L., Mikusiński, G., Witzell, J., Bergh, J. (2012). Effects of repeated fertilization of young Norway spruce on foliar phenolics and arthropods : implications for insectivorous birds’ food resources. Forest Ecology and Management. 277. 38-45.
Status: Published
Johansson, K., Langvall, O., Bergh, J. (2012). Optimization of environmental factors affecting initial growth of Norway spruce seedlings. Silva Fennica. 46 (1). 27-38.
Status: Published
Poudel, B.C., Sathre, R., Gustavsson, L., Bergh, J., Lundström, A., et al. (2011). Effects of climate change on biomass production and substitution in north-central Sweden. Biomass and Bioenergy. 35 (10). 4340-4355.
Status: Published
Edenius, L., Mikusiński, G., Bergh, J. (2011). Can repeated fertilizer applications to young Norway spruce enhance avian diversity in intensively managed forests?. Ambio. 40 (5). 521-527.
Status: Published
Wallander, H., Ekblad, A., Bergh, J. (2011). Growth and carbon sequestration by ectomycorrhizal fungi in intensively fertilized Norway spruce forests. Forest Ecology and Management. 262 (6). 999-1007.
Status: Published
Hedwall, P., Brunet, J., Nordin, A., Bergh, J. (2011). Decreased variation of forest understory vegetation is an effect of fertilisation in young stands of Picea abies. Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research. 26 (S11). 46-55.
Status: Published
Bergh, J., Nilsson, U., Kjartansson, B., Karlsson, M. (2010). Impact of climate change on the productivity of Silver birch, Norway spruce and Scots pine stands in Sweden with economic implications for timber production. Ecological Bulletins. 53 (16). 185-195.
Status: Published
Blennow, K., Andersson, M., Bergh, J., Sallnäs, O., Olofsson, E. (2010). Potential climate change impacts on the probability of wind damage in a south Swedish forest. Climatic Change. 99 (1-2). 261-278.
Status: Published
Sathre, R., Gustavsson, L., Bergh, J. (2010). Primary energy and greenhouse gas implications of increasing biomass production through forest fertilization. Biomass and Bioenergy. 34 (4). 572-581.
Status: Published
Hedwall, P., Nordin, A., Brunet, J., Bergh, J. (2010). Compositional changes of forest-floor vegetation in young stands of Norway spruce as an effect of repeated fertilisation. Forest Ecology and Management. 259 (12). 2418-2425.
Status: Published
Albaugh, T.J., Bergh, J., Lundmark, T., Nilsson, U., Stape, J.L., et al. (2009). Do biological expansion factors adequately estimate stand-scale aboveground component biomass for Norway spruce?. Forest Ecology and Management. 258 (12). 2628-2637.
Status: Published

Conference paper (Refereed)

Wallander, H., Bahr, A., Ellström, M., Bergh, J. (2014). Nitrogen leaching, and nitrogen retention capacity by ectomycorrhizal fungi, in a Norway spruce forest fertilized with nitrogen and phosphorus. EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts (Vol. 16, p. 2062)..
Poudel, B.C., Sathre, R., Bergh, J., Nordin, A., Lundmark, T. (2013). Forest biomass production potential and its implications for total carbon balance. .
Poudel, B.C., Lundmark, T., Bergh, J., Nordin, A. (2013). Forest management scenarios and their effects on ecosystem services: modelling results from Sweden.. .
Poudel, B.C., Bergh, J., Lundmark, T., Nordin, A., Sathre, R. (2013). Modelling forest management in Sweden: trade-offs between carbon benefit and biodiversity conservation.. .
Poudel, B.C., Bergh, J., Sathre, R. (2012). Forest biomass production and their potential use to mitigate climate change. Tackling climate change : the contribution of forest scientific knowledge.
Poudel, B.C., Sathre, R., Bergh, J., Drössler, L., Nordin, A., et al. (2012). Comparison of biomass production and total carbon balance of continuous-cover and clear-cut forestry in Sweden. IUFRO Conference, Division 5, Forest Products. 8 - 13 July. Estoril Congress Centre, Lisbon, Portugal.
Narayanan, S., Bergh, J., Nilsson, U. (2011). Simulation of Net Primary Production (NPP) of Picea abies in southern Sweden-A comparison between two process based forest growth models. Proceedings of COST FP0603, Spring School : Modelling Forest Ecosystem - Concept, Data and Application. 109-116.
Poudel, B.C., Sathre, R., Gustavsson, L., Bergh, J. (2011). Climate change mitigation through increased biomass production and substitution: A case study in north-central Sweden. World Renewable Energy Congress 2011, Linköping, Sweden, May 8-11.
Poudel, B.C., Sathre, R., Gustavsson, L., Bergh, J. (2010). Integrated carbon analysis of forest production and utilization in north-central Sweden. XXIII IUFRO World Congress, 23-28 August (Abstract proceeding).

Chapter in book (Refereed)

Keenan, R.J., Nelson, H., Keskitalo, E.C.H., Bergh, J. (2019). Climate change adaptation in forest production systems in a globalizing economy. Research handbook on climate change adaptation policy. Edward Elgar Publishing. 417-437.
Gaillard, M., Kleinen, T., Samuelsson, P., Nielsen, A.B., Bergh, J., et al. (2015). Causes of Regional Change : Land Cover. Second Assessment of Climate Change for the Baltic Sea Basin. Springer. 453-477.
Hedwall, P., Bergh, J. (2013). Fertilization in Boreal and Temperate Forests and the Potential for Biomass Production. Forest BioEnergy Production : Management, Carbon sequestration and Adaptation. Springer. 95-109.

Report (Refereed)

Rytter, L., Andreassen, K., Bergh, J., Ekö, P., Kilpeläinen, A., et al. (2014). Land areas and biomass production for current and future use in the Nordic and Baltic countries. Oslo, Norway, Nordic Energy Research.
Bergh, J., Johansson, U., Nilsson, U., Sallnäs, O. (2012). Är anpassning av skogsskötseln nödvändigt i dagsläget för att minska skogsskador i ett förändrat klimat? Del 1 – analyser på bestådsnivå. Alnarp, Sweden, SLU, Inst. för sydsvensk skogsvetenskap.

Article, review/survey (Refereed)

Rytter, L., Andreassen, K., Bergh, J., Eko, P., Gronholm, T., et al. (2015). Availability of Biomass for Energy Purposes in Nordic and Baltic Countries : Land Areas and Biomass Amounts. Baltic Forestry. Kėdainiai, Lietuvos Misku Institutas. 21 (2). 375-390.
Status: Published
Hedwall, P., Gong, P., Ingerslev, M., Bergh, J. (2014). Fertilization in northern forests - biological, economic and environmental constraints and possibilities. Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research. 29 (4). 301-311.
Status: Published

Conference paper (Other academic)

Nordström, E., Poudel, B.C., Böttcher, H., Bergh, J., Mörtberg, U., et al. (2012). Future forests scenarios : Analysing impacts of Swedish forest policy on ecosystem services, land use and the European market. Worlds within reach, from science to policy, IIASA 40th Anniversary Conference, Austria, 24-26 October, 2012.
Poudel, B.C., Sathre, R., Bergh, J., Gustavsson, L. (2011). Forest biomass residues and their use to mitigate climate change in north-central Sweden. 19th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, Berlin, Germany, June 6-10, 2011.

Chapter in book (Other academic)

Bergh, J. (2015). Skogsbruk. Klimatsäkrat Skåne. Lund, Sweden, Centrum för miljö- och klimatforskning, Lunds Universitet. 111-120.

Report (Other academic)

Bergh, J., Johansson, U., Jönsson, A.M., Lagergren, F., Lundström, A., et al. (2012). Är anpassning av skogsskötseln nödvändigt i dagsläget för att minska skogsskador i ett förändrat klimat? : Del 2 –analyser på regional nivå. Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet. 30.

Chapter in book (Other (popular science, discussion, etc.))

Bergh, J., Blennow, K., Andersson, M., Olofsson, E., Nilsson, U., et al. (2007). Effekter av ett förändrat klimat på skogen och implikationer för skogsbruket : Bilaga B 19, Arbetsrapport 34. Sverige inför klimatförändringarna : hot och möjligheter. Fritzes. 1-71.