Professor in Silviculture
Most of my own research to date has focused on early phases of stand development, and is related to forest restoration and adaptation of forest management regimes.
These are important issues since conversion of natural habitats to agricultural land or degraded ecosystems poses threats to biodiversity, and is considered to be a significant contributor to climate change. Thus, for example, I have studied afforestation, reforestation and the conversion of Norway spruce plantations to mixed broadleaved-conifer stands through natural and artificial regeneration. I have carried
out research on the effects of various silvicultural practices on growth factors, abiotic and biotic interactions, and the survival, growth and stem quality of seedlings and
saplings.
Both current and innovative silvicultural practices have been considered in this research; including various methods of vegetation control, protection against ungulates, insects and seed predators, and different manipulations of nurse
trees and shelterwoods. I have published scientific findings regarding the entire range of important tree species in southern Sweden, although most of my research has
focused on broadleaves, especially beech and oak.
During and after my Ph.D. studies I have combined traditional silvicultural research methods, e.g. measurements of survival, growth and stem quality in trees, with ecological and ecophysiological research techniques. I believe that this is a
fruitful research approach for improving our understanding of the effects of silvicultural practices on high and valuable wood production, and for developing new practices. I
also believe that applied silvicultural research needs to be developed in collaboration with other disciplines, especially for studying effects of silvicultural practices on other
valued aspects of forests.

Teaching:
I have contributed to the teaching of several university courses at forest manager, graduate and post-graduate levels, and I have organized courses at all three levels (see recent examples below). In addition, since 2008, I am Director of Doctoral Studies at our department.
Organizer and teacher for one-week "Forest restoration" part of the Masters course "Broadleaves –ecology, nature conservation and silviculture" for international master students (Master level, 2007-2011)
Lecturer on the "Research design" course for Ph.D. students (2007-2010)
Organizer and teacher for the Ph.D. course "Silviculture of broadleaves" (3ECTS) (2008)
Organizer and teacher for the Ph.D. course "How to write and publish a scientific paper" (2 ECTS)
Organizer and teacher for the Faculty of Landscape Planning, Horticulture and Agricultural Ph.D. course "Philosophy of Science" (3 ECTS) (2009, 2011)
Organizer and teacher for the NOVA Ph.D. course "Forest Restoration in Theory and Practice" (4ECTS)(2011) 

Selected Scientific Publications
(33) Jensen, A. M., Löf, M., Gardiner, E. S. 2011. Effects of above- and below-ground
competition from shrubs on photosynthesis, transpiration and growth in Quercus robur L. (accepted Environmental and Experimental Botany)

(32) Ammer, C., Balandier, P., Scott-Bentsen, N., Coll, L., Löf, M. (Eds.) 2011. Forest vegetation management under debate – an introduction. European Journal of Forest Research 130: 1-5.

(31) Löf, M., Brunet, J., Hickler, T., Birkedal, M., Jensen, M.A. 2011. Restoring broadleaved forests in southern Sweden as climate changes. In: Stanturf J.A., Madsen, P. (Eds.): A Goal-Oriented Approach to Forest Landscape Restoration. Springer, Berlin. (accepted)

(30) Bolte, A., Ammer, C., Löf, M., Nabuurs, G.-J., Schall, P., Spathelf, P. 2010. Chapter 8. Adaptive forest management – a prerequisite of sustainable forestry in the face of climate change. p 115- 139. In: Spathelf, P. (Ed.): Sustainable forest management in a changing world: European perspective. Managing forest ecosystems, vol 19. Springer, Berlin.

(29) Löf, M., Boman, M., Brunet, J., Hannerz, M., Mattsson, L., Nylinder, M. 2010. Broadleaved forest management for multiple goals in southern Sweden – an overview including future research prospects Ecological Bulletins 53: 235-245.

(28) Birkedal, M., Löf, M., Olsson, G.E., Bergsten, U. 2010. Effects of granivorous rodents on direct seeding of oak and beech in relation to site preparation and sowing date. Forest Ecology and Management 259: 2382-2389.

(27) Bolte, A., Löf, M. 2010. Root spatial distribution and biomass partitioning in Quercus robur L. seedlings: The effect of mounding site preparation. European Journal of Forest Research 129: 603-612.

(26) Hannerz, M., Boje, L., Löf, M. 2010. Internet as a tool for knowledge-building among private forest owners in Sweden. Ecological Bulletins 53: 225-234.

(25) Löf, M., Bergquist, J., Brunet, J., Karlsson, M., Welander, N.T. 2010. Conversion of Norway spruce stands to broadleaved woodlands – regeneration systems, fencing and performance of planted seedlings. Ecological Bulletins 53: 165-173.

(24) Bolte, A., Ammer, C., Löf, M., Madsen, P., Nabuurs, G.-J., Schall, P., Spathelf, P., Rock, J. 2009. Adaptive forest management in Central Europe - climate change, strategies and integrative concept.  Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research 24: 473-482.

(23) Birkedal, M., Fisher, A., Karlsson, M., Löf, M., Madsen, P. 2009. Rodent impact on
establishment of direct seeded beech and oak on forest land. Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research 24: 298-307

(22) Bergquist, J., Löf, M. Örlander, G. 2009. Effects of roe deer browsing and site
preparation on performance of planted broadleaved and conifer seedlings when using temporary fences.  Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research 24: 308-317.

(21) Gardiner, E.S., Löf, M., O´Brien, J.J., Stanturf, J.A., Madsen, P. 2009. Photosynthetic
characteristics of European beech and Pedunculate oak for stand conversion from Norway spruce. Forest Ecology and Management 258: 868-878

(20) Löf, M., Welander, N.T. 2009. Estimating sap flow from stem heat balances in Quercus robur L. seedlings in relation to light intensity: A comparison of two methods during the establishment phase. Annals of Forest Science 66: 501

(19) Löf, M., Welander, N.T. 2009. Feeding by short-snouted weevils on seedlings of seven tree species planted beneath Norway spruce at different stand densities. Agricultural and Forest Entomology 11: 101-105.

(18) Löf, M., Birkedal, M. 2009. Direct seeding of Quercus robur L. for reforestation: The
influence of mechanical site preparation and sowing date on early growth of seedlings. Forest Ecology and Management 258: 704-711

(17) Löf, M., Madsen, P., Stanturf, J.A. 2008. Restoration of broadleaved forests in southern Sweden – some thoughts about a new management concept. Svensk Botanisk Tidskrift 102: 43-51. (English abstract)

(16) Löf, M., Karlsson, M., Sonesson, K., Welander, N.T., Collet, C. 2007. Growth and mortality in underplanted tree seedlings in response to variation in canopy closure of Norway spruce stands. Forestry 30: 371-383.

(15) Löf, M., Rydberg, D., Bolte, A. 2006. Mounding site preparation for forest restoration: Survival and short term growth response in Quercus robur L. seedlings. Forest Ecology and Management 232: 19-25.

(14) Collet, C., Löf, M., Pagès, L. 2006. Competition-induced changes in the root development of oak seedlings analyzed using a root architectural model. Plant and Soil 279: 367-383.

(13) Löf, M., Bolte, A., Welander, N.T. 2005. Interacting effects of irradiance and water stress on dry weight and biomass partitioning in Fagus sylvatica L. seedlings. Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research 20: 322-328.

(12) Madsen, P., Löf, M. 2005. Reforestation in southern Scandinavia using direct seeding of oak (Quercus robur L.) Forestry 78: 55-64.

(11) Löf, M., Paulsson, R., Rydberg, D., Welander, N.T. 2005. The influence of different overstory removal on planted spruce and several broadleaved tree species: Survival, growth and pine weevil damage during three years. Annals of Forest Science 62: 237-244. 

(10) Lüpke, von, B., Ammer, C., Bruciamacchie, M., Brunner, A., Ceitel, J., Collet, C., Deleuze, C., Di Placido, J., Huss, J., Jankovic, J., Kantor, P., Larsen, J.B., Lexer, M., Löf, M., Longauer, R., Madsen, P., Modrzynski, J., Mosandl, R., Pampe, A., Pommerening, A., Stefancik, I., Tesar, V., Thompson, R., Zientarski, J. 2004.  Chapter 5. Silvicultural strategies for conversion. In: Spiecker, H., Hansen, J., Klimo, E., Sterba, H., Skovsgaard, J.-P., Teuffel, von, K. (Eds.): Norway spruce conversion – Options and Consequences. EFI Reseach Report 18, Brill Academic Publishers, Leiden, Boston. p 121-164.

(9) Löf, M., Welander, N.T. 2004. Influence of herbaceous competitors on early growth in direct seeded Fagus sylvatica L. and Quercus robur L. Annals of Forest Science 61: 781-788.

(8) Löf, M., Isacsson, G., Rydberg, D., Welander, N.T. 2004. Herbivory by the pine weevil (Hylobius abietis L.) and short-snouted weevils (Strophosoma melanogrammum Forst. and Otiorhynchus scaber L.)
during the conversion of a wind-thrown Norway spruce forest into a mixed-species plantation. Forest Ecology and Management 190: 281-290.

(7) Löf, M., Thomsen, A., Madsen, P. 2004. Sowing and transplanting of broadleaves (Fagus sylvatica L., Quercus robur L., Prunus avium L. and Crataegus monogyna Jacq.) for afforestation of farmland. Forest Ecology and Management 188: 113-123.

(6) Gardiner. E.S., Hahn, K., Löf, M., (Eds.) 2003. Forest restoration in temperate and boreal zones: Introduction. Forestry 76: 125-126. 

(5) Löf, M., Welander, N.T. 2000. Carry-over effects on growth and transpiration in Fagus sylvatica L. seedlings after drought at various stages of development. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 30: 465-475.

(4) Löf, M. 2000. Establishment and growth in seedlings of Fagus sylvatica and Quercus robur: Influence of interference from herbaceous vegetation. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 30: 855-864.

(3) Löf, M. 2000. Influence of patch scarification and insect herbivory on growth and survival in Fagus sylvatica L., Picea abies L. Karst. and Quercus robur L. seedlings following a Norway spruce forest. Forest Ecology and Management 134: 111-123.

(2) Löf, M., Nilsson, U., Gemmel, P., Welander, N.T. 1998. The influence of site preparation on growth in Quercus robur L. seedlings in a southern Sweden clear-cut and shelterwood. Forest Ecology and Management  109: 241-249.

(1) Nilsson, U., Gemmel, P., Löf, M., Welander, N.T. 1996. Germination and early growth of sown Quercus robur L. in relation to soil preparation, sowing depth and prevention against predation. New Forests 12: 69-86.

Selected Popular Science Publications
(29) Löf, M. 2010. Uthålligt skogsbruk i ädellövskog: Slutrapport för ädellövprogrammet 2003-2009. Report no 42. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, Alnarp. 88 pp.

(28) Brunet, J., Löf, M., Andreasson, A., de Jong, J. 2010. Bruka och bevara ädellövskogen – en guide för målklassning och skötsel för kombinerade mål. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Swedish Biodiversity Centre, CBM:s skriftserie 41.

(27) Wittwer, T., Hickler, T., Lennartsson, T., Jakobson, A., Blank, S., Helldin, J.-O., Löf, M., Nyström, P., Ottvall, R., Öckinger, E. 2010. Klimatförändringars effekt på den biologiska mångfalden I odlingslandskapets gräsmarker. Miljöenheten, Jordbruksverket. 95 pp.

(26) Löf, M. 2010. Final för ädellövprogrammet. Ekbladet 25: 1-5.

(25) Karlsson, M., Hannertz, M., Löf, M., Thorn-Andersen, Y. 2009. Bättre lönsamhet med nya skötselformer i boksskogen. FaktaSkog 14. 4 pp.

(24) Löf, M., Møller-Madsen, E., Rytter, L. 2009. Skötsel av ädellövskog. Skogsskötelserien, Skogsstyrelsens förlag, Jönköping. 60 pp. Available online at www.skogsstyrelsen.se.

(23) Brunet, J., Löf, M. 2008. Forskning på ädellöv vid SLU. Biodiverse nr 4: 18-19.

(22) Löf, M. 2008. Uthålligt skogsbruk i ädellövskog: Lägesrapport för ädellövprogrammet 2008-08-31. Report no 39. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, Alnarp.
28 pp.

(21) Hannerz, M., Birkedal, M., Brunet, J., Fritz, Ö., Isacsson, G., Karlsson, M., Löf, M.,
Mattsson, L., Nylinder, M., Rytter, L., Sonesson, K., Werner, M., Woxblom., L., Övergaard, R. 2007. Kunskap Direkt – Ädellöv. Resultat från SkogForsk nr 4, 2007, 4 pp.

(20) Löf, M. 2007. Skoglig restaurering – vad är det? FaktaSkog 6. 4 pp.

(19) Löf, M., Bergquist, J., Welander, N.T. 2007. Plantering av ädellövskog – erfarenheter av anpassad skogsskötsel efter stormfälld gran. FaktaSkog 12. 6 pp.

(18) Löf, M. 2006. Halvtid för uthålligt skogsbruk i ädellövskog.  Report no 30. Swedish
University of Agricultural Sciences, Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, Alnarp. 52 pp.

(17) Welander, N.T., Fredriksson, G., Rydberg, D., Löf, M. 2006. Överföring av gran till blandad ädellövskog. Report no 31. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, Alnarp. 30 pp.

(16) Löf, M. 2006. Framtidens klimat gynnar satsningar på lövskog. Naturvetaren Nr 6, 8.

(15) Löf, M., Oleskog, G. 2005. Underplantering av bok under skärmar av gran: Ekologi och skogsskötsel. Report no 25. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, Alnarp. 18 pp.

(14) Löf, M., Rydberg, D. 2004. Nya demonstrationsförsök för etablering och skötsel av ädellövskog. Ekbladet 19, 23-26.

(13) Brunet, J., Göransson, G., Karlsson, M., Löf, M., Mattsson, L., Nylinder, M., Sonsesson, K., Werner, M. 2004. Ädellövskogsprogrammet. Ekbladet 19, 17-22.

(12) Löf, M. 2003. Ekfrämjandets resa till Frankrike 2002. Ekbladet 18, 8-11.

(11) Löf, M. 2003. Uthålligt skogsbruk i ädellövskog. FaktaSkog Nr 12. 4 pp.

(10) Löf, M. 2003. Forskargrupp sätter ljuset på ädellövskogen. Miljöforskning Nr 5-6, 35-37.

(9) Löf, M. 2002. På besök i ädellövskogens Mecka. Skogsakademikern Nr 1, 8-9.

(8) Löf, M. 2001. Sustainable management in hardwood forests: Proposal for research and development. Report 19, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Forest faculty, Uppsala. 88 pp. (English summary)

(7) Löf, M. 2001. Utdrag från utredningen “Uthållig skötsel av ädellövskogen: Förslag till forskning och utveckling. Ekbladet. 16, 27-28.

(6) Löf, M., Madsen, P. 2000. Sådd av ek och bok på skogsmark. Ekbladet 15, 32-34.

(5) Löf, M., Karlsson, M., Welander, N.T. 2000. Överföring av granmonokulturer till ädellövskog. Ekbladet 15, 13-15.

(4) Löf, M., Karlsson, M., Welander, N.T. 2000. Från gran till ädellövskog: Långsiktig
föryngringsstrategi nödvändig. FaktaSkog Nr 13. 4 pp.

(3) Löf, M., Madsen, P. 1998. Ek- och boksådd på skogsmark-ett alternativ till plantering? FaktaSkog Nr 15. 4 pp.

(2) Löf, M., Møller-Madsen, E. 1997. Ekskog till lågpris. Skog&Forskning  Nr 2, 46-50.

(1) Nilsson, U., Gemmel, P., Löf, M., Welander, T. 1995. Sådd av ek. Ekbladet 10, 11-13.

Contact:
Mobile phone: +46 (0)70 383 53 86

Links:
Sustainable Management in Hardwood Forests
Forest Ungulate Research Network