Monitoring Issues Specific to Western Taïga Forests

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the Western Taiga (Habitat 9010), with particular emphasis on the situation in Sweden. The Western Taiga, a priority Natura 2000 habitat, accounts for the vast majority of coniferous forest in the Boreal region and is widespread throughout it. In Sweden alone, almost one million hectares of Western Taiga are protected within the Natura 2000 network. It is a complex habitat dominated by old-growth coniferous forests, and takes in several sub-habitats, including secondary forest types such as the young broad-leaved forests that develop after large-scale disturbances. To monitor the Western Taiga, we must divide the habitat into different ecological subgroups. The following groups are recognised in Sweden: 1. Forests requiring active management, e.g.: Natural old pine forests (except those on rock outcrops and lichen-dominated ground); Natural old boreal deciduous forests; Recently burnt areas and younger successional stages that have developed after fires, such as young deciduous stands. 2. Forests with minimum intervention management, e.g.: Natural old spruce forests; Natural pine forests on rock outcrops and lichen-dominated ground; Natural old wet coniferous forests (swamp forests); Natural old mixed forests (which may, in certain cases, require management).