Abstract
Due to traditional forest management, the primary goal of which is the production of raw wood material, commercial forest stands are characterized by low biodiversity. At the same time, commercial forests make up the majority of forests in the Central European region, which means a significant impact on the biodiversity of the entire large region. Saproxylic species of organisms are a frequently used criterion of biodiversity in forests. Based upon the analysis of 155 scientific works, this paper defines the fundamental attributes of the active management supporting biodiversity as well as the preservation of the production function. Using these attributes, a model management proposal was created for three tree species, which takes into account the results of research carried out in the territory of the University Forest Enterprise of the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, since 2019. The optimum constant volume of deadwood in commercial stands was set at 40–60 m3/ha, 20% of which should be standing deadwood. The time framework is scheduled for an average rotation period of the model tree species, while the location of deadwood and frequency of enrichment must comply with the rate of decomposition, the requirement for the bulkiest dimensions of deadwood possible, and the planned time of tending and regeneration operations in accordance with the models used in the Czech Republic. The goal of active management is to maintain the continuity of suitable habitats for sensitive and endangered species. The estimates of the value of retained wood for decomposition can be as high as 45–70 EUR/ha/year for spruce and beech, and about 30 EUR /ha/year for oak.
Highlights
The importance of deadwood for the biodiversity of saproxylic species of insects and fungi, as well as for the natural functioning of forest ecosystems, has long been the subject of research
The number of saproxylic beetle species increases with biomass diameter [71,72]. If we compare these recommended volumes of deadwood in managed stands to the current state of forests in 19 European countries, where there is an average of 15.6 m3 /ha of deadwood, we find significant differences [73]
A necromass enrichment model was designed for this tree species in accordance with the expected decomposition time, which corresponds to approximately half of the rotation period
Summary
The importance of deadwood for the biodiversity of saproxylic species of insects and fungi, as well as for the natural functioning of forest ecosystems, has long been the subject of research. In contrast to nature reserves, the goal of silvicultural interventions in functionally integrated forest management is the gradual increase in stand volumes and the improvement of production quality, accompanied by active enrichment with wood necromass [37]. Including periods of intense drought, which has manifested itself over the last years in Central Europe These factors induce long-term stress on forest stands, reducing the natural resistance of forest tree species, and increasing the risk of an outbreak of insect pests, e.g., [38,39,40,41]. This paper is focused on commercial forests and does not discuss other types of management, such as game parks, grazing forests, pheasantries, orchard meadows, and other agroforestry systems, or similar entities in the category of special-purpose or protection forests These are undoubtedly the most important areas for saproxylic insects in general, their share in Europe is very low [42,43]. In the synthetic section of the paper, an active management model was proposed to increase biodiversity for three important tree species in Central Europe
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