Forest Biodiversity in Europe

From science to policy, Год журнала: 2022, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Май 1, 2022

Язык: Английский

---

Increased appreciation of forests and their restorative effects during the COVID-19 pandemic

AMBIO, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 52(3), С. 647 - 664

Опубликована: Янв. 7, 2023

Язык: Английский

---

Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) in Europe: an overview of management practices

Journal of Forestry Research, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 34(4), С. 871 - 888

Опубликована: Март 22, 2023

Abstract Douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco), one of the most commercially important tree species in western North America and valuable timber trees worldwide, was introduced to Europe 1827. It became a major for afforestation Western after WWII, currently grows 35 countries on over 0.83 million ha is widespread non-native across continent. A lower sensitivity drought makes potential alternative more drought-sensitive Norway spruce so its importance expected increase future. fastest growing conifer cultivated Europe, with largest reported dimensions 2.3 m diameter 67.5 height. Pure stands have high productivity (up 20 3 −1 ) production (over 1000 ). The generally regenerated by planting (initial stocking density from less than seedlings 4000 ), using European provenance derived seed orchards or certified stands. As range end-uses wood very wide, rotation period highly variable ranges between 40 120 years. When large-sized, knot-free targeted, thinnings are always coupled pruning up 6 m. There an increasing interest mixtures managing through close-to-nature silviculture, but species’ intermediate shade tolerance means that it best managed group selection shelterwood systems.

Язык: Английский

---

Integrated Fire Management and Closer to Nature Forest Management at the Landscape Scale as a Holistic Approach to Foster Forest Resilience to Wildfires

Open Research Europe, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 4, С. 131 - 131

Опубликована: Янв. 10, 2025

Unprecedented wildfires are expected to remain a major challenge for Europe in the coming years due their increasing frequency and intensity. However, there is currently no standardized framework managing wildfire risk, with common definition of integrated risk management, lack consensus within sustainable forest over 20 synonyms semi-synonyms used Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF), including among others, close-to-nature management. This open letter examines highlights importance implementing two key approaches, Integrated Fire Management (IFM) EU’s proposed approach Closer-To-Nature Forest (CTNFM) temporal spatial connectivity face climate change. The document discusses relevant management options address challenges, associated impacts such as degradation biodiversity loss. It emphasizes urgent need action by EU Member States light bottom-up (local regional national level), political commitment, public awareness these issues effectively. Key topics covered include adaptation strategies plant species, impact change land use on today’s uncharacteristic fire regimes conditions. Silvicultural closer-to-nature practices, where needed appropriate, promotion natural regeneration enhancement broadleaves, mixed stand composition strategic tree spacing examined means reduce spread fires wildfire-prone areas. also benefits landscape-scale that includes prevention, ecological resilience, habitat conservation resource Options presented policy makers stakeholders support through collaboration, enforcement, stewardship, monitoring capabilities, education, research support, international cooperation. integration IFM CTNFM can improve mitigation, preparedness, adaptive capacity, thereby promoting resilient landscapes communities long-term.

Язык: Английский

---

Managing European Alpine forests with close-to-nature forestry to improve climate change mitigation and multifunctionality

Ecological Indicators, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 165, С. 112154 - 112154

Опубликована: Май 31, 2024

Close-to-nature forestry (CNF) has a long tradition in European Alpine forest management, playing crucial role ensuring the continuous provision of biodiversity and ecosystem services, including protection against natural hazards. However, climate change is causing huge uncertainties about future applicability CNF region. The question arises as to whether current practices are still suitable for adapting forests impacts while also meeting increasing societal demands regarding forests, their potential contribution mitigation. To answer this question, we simulated development using ForClim model at two study sites, together representing large biogeographic gradient from high-elevation inner (Switzerland) lower-elevation south-eastern (Slovenia). simulations considered three scenarios (historical climate, SSP2-4.5 SSP5-8.5) six alternative management strategies, both climate-adapted versions. Using an indicator based multi-criteria decision analysis framework, assessed joint on key services investigated regions, carbon sequestration (CS) inside outside boundary. effects varied, among within sites along biogeographical gradient. While CS was more resistant under site, it sensitive where potentials decreased lower elevations. This adverse effect could be partly mitigated by fostering use tree species. adaptations did not meet multiple objectives equally well: gravitation hazards timber production benefited silvicultural practice, variants with low-intensity or no management. In conclusion, high continue fulfilling its forests. A differentiated approach will needed future, however, identify stands adaptive measures required, especially particularly vulnerable change. combination less intensively managed unmanaged areas, provides portfolio that help society.

Язык: Английский

---

Quantifying the impact of key factors on the carbon mitigation potential of managed temperate forests

Carbon Balance and Management, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 19(1)

Опубликована: Март 2, 2024

Abstract Background Forests mitigate climate change by reducing atmospheric $$\mathrm {CO_2}$$ CO 2 -concentrations through the carbon sink in forest and wood products, substitution effects when products replace carbon-intensive materials fuels. Quantifying mitigation potential of forests is highly challenging due to influence multiple important factors such as age type, associated natural disturbances, harvest intensities, usage patterns, salvage logging practices, carbon-intensity substituted products. Here, we developed a framework quantify impact these factorial simulation experiments with an ecosystem model at example central European (Bavarian) forests. Results Our simulations showed higher potentials young compared mature forests, similar ones broad-leaved needle-leaved Long-lived significantly contributed mitigation, particularly their product portfolio, increased material considerable benefits. Consequently, ongoing conversion more should be accompanied promotion long-lived from species maintain sink. Climate (especially increasing disturbances) decarbonization were among most critical influencing introduced substantial uncertainty. Nevertheless, until 2050 this uncertainty was narrow enough derive robust findings. For instance, intensities enhanced our simulations, but diminished effects, leading decreased total 2050. However, considering longer time horizons (i.e. 2100), became low expected that decreasing harvests often seemed favorable solution. Conclusion results underscore need tailor strategies specific conditions different sites. Furthermore, thoroughly assessing amount avoided emissions using determine potentials. While short-term recommendations are possible, suggest risk diversification methodologies like optimization address uncertainties paces past Finally, curbing reduces threat on safeguarding services.

Язык: Английский

---

The conservation value of forests can be predicted at the scale of 1 hectare

Communications Earth & Environment, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 5(1)

Опубликована: Апрель 11, 2024

Abstract To conserve biodiversity, it is imperative to maintain and restore sufficient amounts of functional habitat networks. Therefore, the location remaining forests with natural structures processes over landscapes large regions a key objective. Here we integrated machine learning (Random Forest) open landscape data scan all forest in Sweden 1 ha spatial resolution respect relative likelihood hosting High Conservation Value Forests. Using independent stand- plot-level validation data, confirmed that our predictions correctly represent different levels naturalness, from degraded those high associated biodiversity conservation values. Given ambitious national international objectives increasingly intensive forestry, model resulting wall-to-wall mapping fill an urgent gap for assessing achievement evidence-based targets, planning, designing restoration.

Язык: Английский

---

Balancing disturbance risk and ecosystem service provisioning in Swiss mountain forests: an increasing challenge under climate change

Regional Environmental Change, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 23(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 23, 2023

Climate change severely affects mountain forests and their ecosystem services, e.g., by altering disturbance regimes. Increasing timber harvest (INC) via a close-to-nature forestry may offer mitigation strategy to reduce predisposition. However, little is known about the efficiency of this at scale forest enterprises potential trade-offs with biodiversity services (BES). We applied decision support system which accounts for predisposition BES indicators evaluate effect different intensities climate scenarios on windthrow bark beetle in enterprise Switzerland. Simulations were carried out from 2010 2100 under historic (RCP4.5, RCP8.5). In terms BES, (structural tree species diversity, deadwood amount) as well production, recreation (visual attractiveness), carbon sequestration, protection against gravitational hazards (rockfall, avalanche landslides) assessed. The INC reduced beetles. was relatively small (- 2.4%) compared opposite (+ 14% Besides, increased share broadleaved resulted synergy trade-off sequestration function. Our approach emphasized disproportionally higher RCP8.5 scenario, threaten currently unaffected forests. Decision systems accounting change, predisposition, can help coping such complex planning situations.The online version contains supplementary material available 10.1007/s10113-022-02015-w.

Язык: Английский

---

Achieving structural heterogeneity and high multi-taxon biodiversity in managed forest ecosystems: a European review

Biodiversity and Conservation, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Авг. 14, 2024

Abstract The European Biodiversity Strategy has set the key goal to maintain and promote biodiversity. Managed forests here play a role, as they are among most diverse ecosystems. To create biodiversity rich managed forest landscapes, we need deep understanding on how management affects structure subsequently habitat quality local landscape level. However, date confusingly large amount of different terms for various systems exist it remains unclear composition affected by specific affect Here, first aim clarify terminology. Second, link existing with review at level these structures α-, well landscape-scale β- γ-biodiversity. We found that research derived guidelines have strong focus stand heterogeneity related α-diversity, while ignoring importance therefore γ-diversity. Instead promoting one system an all-in-one-solution, diversity seems promising way landscapes. finally discuss combination might help structurally habitats simulating successional stages species communities.

Язык: Английский

---

Close-to-nature management effects on tree growth and soil moisture in Mediterranean mixed forests

Forest Ecology and Management, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 549, С. 121457 - 121457

Опубликована: Сен. 30, 2023

Язык: Английский

---