Influence Of Forest Management Research Articles

A simplified multi-model statistical approach for predicting the effects of forest management on land surface temperature in Fennoscandia

Forests interact with the local climate through a variety of biophysical mechanisms. Observational and modelling studies have investigated the effects of forested vs. non-forested areas, but the influence of forest management on surface temperature has received far less attention owing to the inherent challenges to adapt climate models to cope with forest dynamics. Further, climate models are complex and highly parameterized, and the time and resource intensity of their use limit applications. The availability of simple yet reliable statistical models based on high resolution maps of forest attributes representative of different development stages can link individual forest management practices to local temperature changes, and ultimately support the design of improved strategies. In this study, we investigate how forest management influences local surface temperature (LSTs) in Fennoscandia through a set of machine learning algorithms. We find that more developed forests are typically associated with higher LST than young or undeveloped forests. The mean multi-model estimates from our statistical system can accurately reproduce the observed LST. Relative to the present state of Fennoscandian forests, fully develop forests are found to induce an annual mean warming of 0.26 °C (0.03/0.69 °C as 5th/95th percentile), and an average cooling effect in the summer daytime from -0.85 to -0.23 °C (depending on the model). On the contrary, a scenario with undeveloped forests induces an annual average cooling of -0.29 °C (-0.61/-0.01 °C), but daytime warming in the summer that can be higher than 1 °C. A weak annual mean cooling of -0.01 °C is attributed to forest harvest from 2015 to 2018, with an increased daytime temperature in summer of about 0.04 °C. Overall, this approach is a flexible option to study effects of forest management on LST that can be applied at various scales and for alternative management scenarios, thereby helping to improve local management strategies with consideration of effects on local climate.

Effects of management intensity, soil properties and region on the nematode communities in temperate forests in Germany

A key to forest productivity is structure and function of the biotic microbiome in the soil, which determines nutrient mineralisation and consequently tree growth and fitness. Soil nematodes are a dominant part of these assemblages, with an important role in the associated micro-food web. However, nothing is known about how forest management and soil properties affect soil nematodes. This study investigated the nematode communities in the organic layer and mineral soil of 150 forests located in three different German regions. Fifty forest stands each were studied in Schwäbische Alb (ALB), Hainch-Dün (HAI) and Schorfheide-Chorin (SCH). The effect of forest management (forest management index – ForMI, silvicultural management intensity indicator – SMI), soil properties (total C, N, S, P, organic C, inorganic C, pH, water content) and microbial food source (phospholipid fatty acids - PLFA) on nematode density, community and ecological indices were assessed.The nematode density in the organic layer of the forests was with a mean of 290 individuals g−1 DW comparable across all three regions, while in the mineral soil nematode density was significant lower in SCH. Here, dry sandy soils are frequently stocked with intensively managed pine forests, and the associated fungal-based decomposition is reflected in a greater proportion of fungal-feeding nematodes and a higher Channel Index. Effects of region and soil layer were mirrored by the structure of the nematode community. Organic layer and mineral soil differed distinctly, while in the latter SCH separated from ALB and HAI. The nematode community was predominantly affected by region, soil properties and resources, with microbial diet as driving factor in the organic layer, whereas soil parameters were more important in mineral soil. In comparison, the influence of forest management was low, with ForMI and SIM together explaining 8% (organic layer) and 4% (mineral soil) of the overall variation. Most remarkable, the nematode community in HAI, a region dominated by broad-leaf forests, was resilient to management intensity in the organic layer. On the other hand, management practice had family-specific impact: In the organic layer of ALB, the density of the bacterial-feeding Teratocephalidae and the fungal-feeding Aphelenchoididae increased with higher Inonat (indicates non-natural tree species) and higher SMIr (addresses stand age and species selection related to the risk of stand loss). In sum, the structure and function of nematode communities were driven by both, biotic factors such food source (i.e. the soil layer inhabited) and abiotic factors such as soil type and climate (i.e. region). Furthermore, forest management can affect nematode communities, mainly by the selected tree species, but also by stand age and density.

Quantitative and qualitative assessment of pine seedlings under controlled undergrowth disturbance: Fire and soil scarification

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) is the most widespread forest tree species in Central Europe. The range of Scots pine depends on the influence of forest management on stand species composition, as the potential for the natural regeneration of Scots pine monocultures is smaller than the current range of the species. To achieve regeneration, pine requires specific ecological conditions, including adequate soil preparation. The literature notes that the effective natural regeneration of pine requires fire or mixing the organic soil layer with the mineral layer. This hypothesis was critically evaluated carrying out work with the main objective of comparing the germination and growth dynamic of pine seedlings in two variants, simulating fire or soil scarification against natural conditions. The research focused on analyzing the growth of pine seedlings from germination to the final number of seedlings, which remained unchanged until the end of the experiment. The evaluation was carried out in soil monoliths from Kampinos National Park (KNP), in which seeds from a homogeneous mother stand were planted. The quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the seedlings were statistically evaluated, including analyses of their root system characteristics. The results confirmed the positive effect of mixing an organic and mineral layer at the germination stage and during the subsequent growth of the pine. The seedlings had a high survival rate (65.3%). However, the positive effect of fire on the regenerative capacity of pine could not be confirmed; the number of obtained seedlings (29.5%) was significantly lower than in the control variant. In addition, the “fire variant” was characterized by high seedling mortality immediately after germination. Root systems were important for the survival of the seedlings, the development of which was affected by the tested variant. The analyses performed may have implications for the development of research on the possible natural regeneration of Pines after natural disturbances. Additional topic that needs further research is the response of seedling root systems to changes in soil conditions.

Vegetation Affecting Water Quality in Small Streams: Case Study in Hemiboreal Forests, Latvia

Riparian forests are important ecosystems located along the margins of freshwaters. Riparian zones provide many ecosystem services, such as nutrient modification, erosion and temperature control, leading to improvements in water quality in adjacent water ecosystems. In many areas, riparian forest management is restricted to improve adjacent water quality. The potential influence of forest management on water quality of small streams was assessed by analysing species composition and structural diversity in riparian forests. We collected data in riparian forests along 15 streams in the eastern Baltics (Latvia) with different water quality classes. We used detrended correspondence analysis and indicator species’ analysis to determine relationships between woody plants and understory vegetation. We also used ADONIS and ANOSIM analysis to determine possible factors that affect species composition. Our results suggested that water quality is affected by ground vegetation, which in turn was altered by stand density and total yield. Site-specific decision making in management is required in riparian forests to ensure the required conditions in the streams, because species composition differs between sites, dominant tree species and stand parameters (density, total yield, stand age). Introduction of Betula pubescens Ehrh. in coniferous stands is favourable to ensure litter fall quality and provide shade for streams during summer.

Diversity and functional structure of soil animal communities suggest soil animal food webs to be buffered against changes in forest land use

Forest soil and litter is inhabited by a diverse community of animals, which directly and indirectly rely on dead organic matter as habitat and food resource. However, community composition may be driven by biotic or abiotic forces, and these vary with changes in habitat structure and resource supply associated with forest land use. To evaluate these changes, we compiled comprehensive data on the species composition of soil animal communities and environmental factors in forest types varying in land-use intensity in each of three regions in Germany, i.e., coniferous, young managed, old managed, and unmanaged beech forests. Coniferous forests featured high amounts of leaf litter and low microbial biomass concentrations contrasting in particular unmanaged beech forests. However, soil animal diversity and functional community composition differed little between forest types, indicating resilience against disturbance and forest land use. Structural equation modelling suggested that despite a significant influence of forest management on resource abundance and quality, the biomass of most soil fauna functional groups was not directly affected by forest management or resource abundance/quality, potentially because microorganisms hamper the propagation of nutrients to higher trophic levels. Instead, detritivore biomass depended heavily on soil pH. Macrofauna decomposers thrived at high pH, whereas mesofauna decomposers benefitted from low soil pH, but also from low biomass of macrofauna decomposers, potentially due to habitat modification by macrofauna decomposers. The strong influence of soil pH shows that decomposer communities are structured predominantly by regional abiotic factors exceeding the role of local biotic factors such as forest type.

The Influence of Forest Management and Changed Hydrology on Soil Biochemical Properties in a Central-European Floodplain Forest

Anthropogenic modifications to water regimes are one of the main factors threatening the stability and existence of floodplain forests. This study presents an analysis of topsoil biogeochemistry within three floodplain forest stands with different levels of human alteration. Decreasing contents of soil organic carbon (OC) and microbial biomass were observed along the gradient from natural to plantation forest. High annual variations were observed in soil N contents and in microbial biomass, while comparable spatial variations were observed within the natural forest. High ground-water levels resulted in increased accumulation of available Na+ and SO42− in the natural forest soil, yet the concentrations of ions were at sub-saline levels. The increasing contents of available Mn, SO42− or Cl− had mostly positive effects on soil microbial activity across the sites, though the results indicate the existence of a certain ecological limit for soil microorganisms. Reintroduction of surface-water flooding should be considered in future forest and water management to promote the dilution of ions accumulated in soils and natural deposition of sediments rich in organic matter (OM) at the sites.

Fine-scale analysis reveals a potential influence of forest management on the spatial genetic structure of Eremanthus erythropappus

Forest management may have significant effects on forest connectivity and natural population sizes. Harvesting old-growth single trees may also change natural patterns of genetic variation and spatial genetic structure. This study evaluated the impacts of forest management using a silvicultural system of seed trees on the genetic diversity and spatial genetic structure of Eremanthus erythropappus (DC.) MacLeish. A complete survey of 275 trees on four plots was undertaken out to compare the genetic variation of a managed stand with an unmanaged stand. We genotyped all adult and juvenile individuals 60 months after the management and compared the genetic diversity and the spatial genetic structure parameters. Genetic diversity was considered high because of an efficient gene flow between stands. There were no genetic differences between stands and no evidence of inbreeding. Genetic clustering identified a single population (K = 1), indicating no genetic differentiation between managed and unmanaged stands. Adult and juvenile individuals of the unmanaged stand were more geographically structured than individuals from the managed one. There was a tendency of coancestry among juveniles at the first class of distance of the managed stand, suggesting a drift of genetic structure possibly caused by management. Understanding early responses to management on genetic diversity and stand structure is a first step to ensuring the effectiveness of conservation practices of tree species. The sustainability of forest management of E. erythropappus on genetic diversity, and more accurately, on spatial genetic structure needs evaluation over time to promote effective conservation of the population size and genetic variability.

Wpływ gospodarki leśnej na zapasy węgla organicznego w glebach

Wpływ gospodarki leśnej na zapasy węgla organicznego w glebach

Influence of forest management on stand structure in ravine forests

The aim of this study was to compare the forest stand structure in managed and unmanaged ravine forests. The study was conducted in the Carpathians and the Krakow-Częstochowa Upland (SE Poland). We used 24 plots, of which 13 were from managed forests and 11 from unmanaged areas. We used 12 metrics related to both living and dead trees. The density of large living trees, quadratic mean diameter and maximum diameter were higher in the unmanaged forests, while the total density of all living trees, percentage of dead trees and number of stumps were higher in the managed forests. In addition, we found only subtle differences related to dead trees. The point pattern analysis also showed differences in the spatial distribution of trees. In unmanaged forests, we found a tendency towards tree aggregation, which was significant in several plots at small distances (up to 5 m), thereby suggesting the common presence of trees with multiple stems. In managed forests, we did not find any significant deviations from random patterns.Our findings show that forest management significantly influences the stand structure in ravine forests. Surprisingly, although metrics related to dead trees are considered as the best indicators of naturalness, we detected only subtle differences between managed and unmanaged forests. The characteristics related to living trees performed much better when distinguishing between managed and unmanaged stands. This is probably due to the specific habitat conditions in ravine forests characterized by steep slopes and highly dynamic dead biomass. In addition, a lack of tree clusters in managed forests is probably a result of selective cutting of trees with multiple stems. Finally, we conclude that the analysis of stand structure is more sensitive for the detection of management than a comparison of the plant species composition.

Concept of soil Red book of the Ukrainian Carpathians

The system and method of selection and documentation of soils that need to be included in the Red Book on the basis of research on natural and anthropogenic soils of the Ukrainian Carpathians were developed. Six categories of soil of the Red Book such as standards of typical, rare, endangered, cultivated and anthropogenic soils, unique soils have been proposed. Natural soils (typical, rare, endangered, unique) must functioned as soil etalons for changes evaluation that occur under the influence of forest management and recreational pressure, as well as protection of soil diversity. Etalons of cultivated soils play the role of models for agricultural lands; etalons of anthropogenic soils are used to determine the condition of land of urbo- and technocomplexes.

Effects of forest management on biomass stocks in Romanian beech forests

BackgroundForest management aims at obtaining a sustainable production of wood to be harvested to generate products or energy. However, the quantitative influence of forest management and of removals by harvest on biomass stocks has rarely been analysed on a large scale based on measurements. Two hypotheses prevail: management induces a reduction of wood stocks due to cuttings, versus no impact because of increased growth of the remaining trees.Using data collected for 2840 permanent plots across Romania from the National Forest Inventory representing ~ 2.5 Mha, we have tested to what extent different management types and treatments can influence the biomass stock and productivity of beech forests, and attempt to quantify these effects both on the short and long terms.Three main types of beech forest management are implemented in Romania with specific objectives: intensive wood production in production forests, protection of ecosystem services (e.g. watersheds, avalanche protection) in protection forests, and protection of the forest and its biodiversity in protected forests. Production forests encompass two treatments differing according to the stand regeneration method: the age class rotation management and the group shelterwood management.ResultsWe show that forest management had little influence on the biomass stocks at a given stand age. The highest stocks at stand age 100 were observed in production forests (the most intensively managed forests). Consequences of early cuttings were very short-termed because the increase in tree growth rapidly compensated for tree cuttings. The cumulated biomass of production forests exceeded that of protected and protection forests. Regarding the treatment, the group shelterwood forests had a markedly higher production over a full rotation period.The total amount of deadwood was primarily driven by the amount of standing deadwood, and no management effect was detected.ConclusionsGiven the relatively low-intensity management in Romania, forest management had no negative impact on wood stocks in beech forests biomass stocks at large scale. Stand productivity was very similar among management types or treatments. However cumulated biomass in production forests was higher than in protection or protected forests, and differed markedly according to treatments with a higher cumulated biomass in shelterwood forests.

The influence of forest management and timber use options on carbon sequestration and the consequences on biodiversity

Abstract The results of scientific studies dealing with the influence of forest management on carbon dynamics are often controversial. Substituting fossil fuels with wood is not always a climate-friendly solution, and besides, it has often a negative impact on biodiversity. The current paper reviews the literature about the influence of different forest management and timber use options on climate change and brings out the accompanying consequences on biodiversity in temperate and boreal climate zones. The forest’s ability to sequestrate and store carbon can be enlarged by appropriate forest management planning and practices. Generally, for mitigation of climate change, the moderate (not intensive) forest management is most favourable, but intensification of management enhances global warming, since forest carbon storage in tree biomass and soil decreases. The mitigation of climate change is just one of the many roles of forest, and climate policy actions cannot come at the expense of species diversity. The complex studies dealing with several forest goals conclude that high carbon store and biodiversity protection do not contradict each other, but the achievement of maximum economic profit at the same time is not possible. The mitigation of climate change and wildlife protection is most effective when it is first of all the forests with a high biodiversity that are managed less intensively. Concerning climate change, the most negative forest biomass use is wood combustion. It is reasonable to burn only such biomass (cut and industrial residues) which cannot be used for producing goods holding carbon for a long time.

The influence of forest management on the abundance and diversity of hoverflies in commercial plantations of Sitka spruce: the importance of sampling in the canopy

Abstract The majority of Sitka spruce plantations in the UK are managed by clear-cutting and replanting, which leads to the formation of relatively large blocks (5–30 ha) of even-aged, closely spaced trees. These stands are considered to be poor in terms of general biodiversity and vulnerable to outbreaks of insect pests and diseases. In contrast, stands managed using alternative silvicultural systems, such as shelterwood or group selection systems, contain a wider range of tree ages and sizes and have the potential to support greater numbers of other species. If this includes the natural enemies (predators, parasitoids) of pest species, then adopting alternative silvicultural systems might help to reduce current and future pest impacts. To determine whether the greater structural complexity of stands managed using alternative silvicultural systems is associated with an increase in insect diversity and an increase in the abundance of predatory species, we sampled hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) in 5 shelterwood stands, 6 group selection stands and 13 even-aged stands of Sitka spruce at 4 forest sites in mid and north Wales. The larvae of aphidophagous hoverflies are important invertebrate predators in spruce plantations, and hoverfly species richness is often used as an indicator of general invertebrate diversity. Hoverflies were sampled at ground level and in the canopy using yellow pan traps and flight interception traps. 7323 adult hoverflies of 74 species were captured, the majority of these in traps in the canopy. Total hoverfly abundance and the abundance of aphidophagous species were significantly higher ( P

Masting has different effects on seed predation by insects and birds in antarctic beech forests with no influence of forest management

Mast seeding is characteristic of many long-lived tree species and widely proposed as a mechanism to reduce seed predation. However, whether the efficiency of this reproductive response may vary depending on type of seed predator (e.g., invertebrates vs. vertebrates) or depending on local characteristics, remains seldom explored. We evaluated for 8yrs the patterns of seed production in antarctic beech (Nothofagus antarctica) forests related to management and its influence on insect and bird pre-dispersal seed predation. Along the study, mature seed production was highly variable across years (the population-level coefficient of variation, CVp: 0.98–1.14) and spatially synchronized (Pearson correlation coefficient: 0.83–0.86). Forest type (primary unmanaged, secondary-growth and managed stands) did not influence the amount of seed production nor masting patterns. Mean yearly seed predation by insects was higher than by birds, and their relationship with seeding patterns differed: i.e., while the proportion of seeds predated by insects increased during non-mast years maximum bird predation occurred in mast years. Therefore, predation by insects and birds showed a strong negative relationship. Our results suggest that effectiveness of masting to escape seed predators may be highly depend on the type of predator. We address whether this effect may be due to differences in life history traits among the seed predators involved (i.e., degree of host specificity, dispersal ability or the duration of the life-cycle) and whether an “imperfect” control of avian seed predation may partially be advantageous for the dynamics of the masting species to enhance seed dispersal.

Influence of forest management on the structure hornbeam-oak stands under transcarpathia

Проведено аналіз продуктивності, поширення та площі дубових лісів Закарпаття. Досліджено стиглі грабово-дубові деревостани Виноградівського лісового господарства. Здійснено інструментальну таксацію та проведено розподіл лісостанів на елементарні частини за основними таксаційними показниками. Відзначено наявність дисперсності форми розподілів кількості дерев за діаметром та структурою запасу. Аналіз таксаційних та біометричних показників елементів лісу дав змогу відзначити наявність різних розподілів кількості дерев за діаметром. Виділено чотири типи розподілів для дуба звичайного у віці головного рубання. Для кожного виділеного типу розподілу кількості дерев за діаметром встановлено структурні особливості запасу і його закономірні зміни за рівновеликими частинами деревостану. Встановлені особливості будови дубових деревостанів відображають вплив системи лісогосподарських заходів на структуру їх розподілу за запасом та діаметром.

Vielfältige Anwendungen genetischer Methoden im Wald

Diverse applications of genetic methods in forest ecosystems Swiss forests are managed in a close-to-nature way, and they mainly get naturally rejuvenated. This leads to a forest situation most beneficial for the conservation of the genetic diversity of forest trees. If tree breeding and artificial planting are not main targets in Switzerland, why then using genetics in Swiss forests? In fact, the applications of genetic methods in forests are manifold. They can be used for the identification of connectivity and the evaluation of the success of connectivity measures, e.g., among total reserves, old-growth stands and habitat trees. With genetic methods, one may also study how native tree species and their genetic varieties can best be used for adaptation to climate change. Other applications comprise the investigation of biodiversity and ecology, e.g., the influence of forest management on soil biodiversity, or the diagnosis of invasive pests and pathogens and the search for agents of biological control. In the framework of multifunctional forest management, genetic applications can play an important role, if used in a sensible way.

Wood Use and Forest Management for Carbon Sequestration in Community Forestry in Sierra Juárez, Mexico

Forest managers and policy-makers are being encouraged to incorporate carbon sequestration as a criterion for decision-making. This is a great challenge for small-scale forestry where the conspicuous lack of practical knowledge available for managers prevents the implementation of criteria to promote carbon sequestration. The carbon simulation model CO2FIX combined with local data could provide valuable information for C sequestration in these small-scale forestry systems. The research reported here focuses on community forestry located in the Juarez Mountain Range (Oaxaca State, Mexico), and analyzes the influences of forest management and wood-use (20 scenarios based on five forest management plans and four wood-use strategies) on the changes of C stock (biomass C, soil organic C, products C and fuelwood C) over time. The comparison of the whole stocks to reference results show that group-selection, based on an uneven-aged forest management system involving small patches, has only about half the C benefit relative to clear-cutting harvesting. A forest management strategy focused on oak logwood has a lower C benefit (70 %), and a forest management strategy focused on oak fuelwood has a higher C benefit (120 %) relative to the average of the studied wood-use strategies. Thus, in the study area forest managers and policy-makers who wish to mitigate climate change should increase the rotation period from 40 to 50 years in clear-cutting areas, continue with 40 years in group-selection areas, and promote the use of oak for bioenergy.

Soil C and N storage and microbial biomass in US southern pine forests: Influence of forest management

Land management practices have strong potential to modify the biogeochemistry of forest soils, with implications for the long-term sustainability and productivity of forestlands. The Long-Term Soil Productivity (LTSP) program, a network of 62 sites across the USA and Canada, was initiated to address concerns over possible losses of soil productivity due to soil disturbance from forest management. Network sites employ an experimental design consisting of three harvest intensities (bole only, whole tree, whole tree+forest floor removal) in combination with three soil compaction intensities (none, intermediate, severe). Our purpose was to determine the impact of forest harvest intensity, soil compaction, and their interaction on soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) storage, and on soil microbial biomass C and N (MBC and MBN, respectively) in a Pinus taeda L. forest 15-years post-treatment at the Groveton LTSP site in eastern Texas, USA. Soils were sampled (0–10cm) five times during 2011–2012, and we quantified SOC and TN by dry combustion, and MBC and MBN by chloroform fumigation extraction. SOC and TN were both higher in the bole only treatment compared to the more severe harvest treatments; however, while TN was significantly impacted by harvest and varied seasonally, SOC varied only with season. MBC and MBN were impacted by harvest intensity and varied seasonally, and SMB-N had a harvest by time interaction. Generally, both microbial indices decreased in the order: bole only>whole tree>whole tree+forest floor. Temporal variations in MBN and TN were correlated with temperature. Soil compaction and the harvest intensity×soil compaction interaction had no effect on the measured soil properties. Since N limits tree growth in forest ecosystems, and because soil microbial biomass plays a key role in N mineralization, data suggest that harvest practices that minimize removal of litter and slash will favor soil N retention, maintain the size of the soil microbial biomass pool, and maximize the potential productivity of future rotations.

Influence of Forest Management on Acorn Production in the Southeastern Missouri Ozarks: Early Results of a Long-Term Ecosystem Experiment

Since acorn production is a foundational process of ecosystems dominated by oaks, understanding the impact of forest management practices on acorn production is critical to the sustainable management of oak forests. This investigation addressed the impact of even-aged management (EAM), uneven-aged management (UAM), and no-harvest management (NHM) on the production of mature, sound acorns over an 18-year period (1993-2010) of a long-term, landscape-scale forest management experiment in the Missouri Ozarks. Forest management impacts were investigated at two operational scales: the multi-stand compartment and the stand. We hypothesized that acorn production at both scales would be lower under active management (EAM and UAM) than NHM on these oak-dominated landscapes. Acorn production (acorns/ha/year) of red oaks (mainly black oak (Quercus velutina) and scarlet oak (Q. coccinea)) at the compartment level was lower under active management than NHM during the post-treatment period (1997-2010), but not for white oaks (mainly white oak (Q. alba) and post oak (Q. stellata)), which was largely a result of greater abundance and preferential harvesting of mature red oaks. At the stand scale, acorn production following either intermediate thinning or single-tree selection was comparable to yields observed in untreated stands suggesting that partial overstory removal can be implemented for harvesting timber and other silvicultural objectives without sacrificing acorn production. In many oak-dominated forests, active management will be necessary to mitigate future losses of acorn production driven by oak decline, succession, and climate change, including approaches for sustaining oak recruitment and acorn production.

Arthropod diversity in pristine vs. managed beech forests in Transcarpathia (Western Ukraine)

Pristine forests are generally assumed to be biodiversity hotspots. Is management detrimental to biodiversity? In some of the last European remains of pristine beech forest in Transcarpathia (Western Ukraine) the influence of forest management on arthropod biodiversity was assessed. Pitfall and flight interception traps were used to compare species numbers, abundances, Simpson diversity and species composition of beetles, spiders, millipedes and centipedes in pristine and managed forests.For the sum of all identified species and most taxonomic groups, species numbers and Simpson diversity were not significantly different between the two management regimes. Species numbers, abundances, and species composition of different beetle families, spiders, millipedes and centipedes differed more between the three regions (Jaremcha, Mala Uholka, Shyrokyj Luh) than between pristine and managed forest plots within the same region. Neither red-listed beetle species nor specialized saproxylic beetles were more diverse in pristine forests. But the latter were more abundant in pristine plots, where the amount of dead wood was up to twenty times higher than in the managed plots.We conclude that biodiversity in pristine beech forests is not generally higher than in managed beech forests. However, the much higher amount of dead wood in pristine forests provides a source habitat for saproxylic species spreading into managed forest plots in the same region, but not to distant forests, far from virgin forests, such as in Western Europe.