Protected Forest Management Research Articles

Payments for Environmental Services in a Policymix: Spatial and Temporal Articulation in Mexico.

Government based Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) have been criticized for not maximizing environmental effectiveness through appropriate targeting, while instead prioritizing social side-objectives. In Mexico, existing literature on how the Payments for Ecosystem Services-Hydrological program (PSA-H) has targeted deforestation and forest degradation shows that both the process of identifying the eligible areas and the choice of the selection criteria for enrolling forest parcels have been under the influence of competing agendas. In the present paper we study the influence of the PSA-H multi-level governance on the environmental effectiveness of the program–the degree to which forest at high risk of deforestation is enrolled- building from a “policyscape” framework. In particular, we combine governance analysis with two distinct applications of the policyscape framework: First, at national level we assess the functional overlap between the PSA-H and other environmental and rural programs with regard to the risk of deforestation. Second, at regional level in the states of Chiapas and Yucatan, we describe the changing policy agenda and the role of technical intermediaries in defining the temporal spatialization of the PSA-H eligible and enrolled areas with regard to key socio-economic criteria. We find that, although at national level the PSA-H program has been described as coping with both social and environmental indicators thanks to successful adaptive management, our analysis show that PSA-H is mainly found in communities where deforestation risk is low and in combination with other environmental programs (protected areas and forest management programs). Such inertia is reinforced at regional level as a result of the eligible areas’ characteristics and the behaviour of technical intermediaries, which seek to minimise transaction costs and sources of uncertainty. Our project-specific analysis shows the importance of integrating the governance of a program in the policyscape framework as a way to better systematize complex interactions at different spatial and institutional scales between policies and landscape characteristics.

Ukuran Kelompok Simpai (Presbytis Melalophos) Di Hutan Desa Cugung Kesatuan Pengelolaan Hutan Lindung Model Gunung Rajabasa Lampung Selatan

Cugung forest managed by Protection Forest Management Unit Model (KPHL) of Rajabasa Mountain, its a natural habitat for simpai (Presbytis melalophos). Its size and structure are not known. Research was done to observe its group size and population structure in Cugung forest using concentration count method. Group size was 11 individuals, with 4 reproductive age and 5 young individuals and 2 infants. Sexual ratio is 1:2.Key word: simpai, group size, a cugung forest

A tree-ring perspective on the invasion of Ailanthus altissima in protection forests

Since around the 1950s the invasive tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle) is spreading in several forests of southern Switzerland. To estimate the implications of the invasion of A. altissima in forests protecting humans and infrastructure from rockfall (protection forests) we compared stem growth dynamics and decay frequency of A. altissima with sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) one of its main local competitors. Comparisons were based on dendroecological analyses and phytopathological observations on 52 A. altissima and 50 C. sativa trees from three sites in southern Switzerland. Results revealed slower radial growth of A. altissima compared to C. sativa. Climate–growth relationships showed that both species weakly respond to mean monthly temperature and precipitation sums. However, growth reductions to the severe drought years 1976 and 2003 were stronger for C. sativa compared to A. altissima, confirming the generally assumed high drought resistance of A. altissima, which may promote the species with climate warming. The incidence of heart rot varied considerably across sites and species. Locally observed high frequencies of decay in A. altissima and C. sativa suggest that the analysed protection forests may have a limited ability to protect from rockfall. Our study supplies a first long-term tree-ring based perspective on growth dynamics and decay frequency of A. altissima that can be used to complement current knowledge on the invasive behaviour of the species as a basis to adapt and optimise management of protection forests in southern Switzerland and beyond.

Assessment of the protective function of forests against debris flows in a gorge of the Slovenian Alps

Protection forests play an important role in mitigating the influence of natural hazards. Despite the growing need for protective functions due to aging forests and increased risk of natural disturbances, active forest management has become increasingly uncommon across the Alps. Active management of protection forests can be facilitated by state subsidies. This requires an objective delineation of forests with a direct protection function and the development of silvicultural techniques that mitigate natural hazards. A study of protection efficiency of beech-dominated forests in the Soteska gorge in NW Slovenia, where a main state road and railway are at risk from debris flows and rockfall, was performed. We assessed the starting points of debris-flow hazard based on a small-scale geological survey of the terrain characteristics and a local debris flow susceptibility map. We applied the TopRunDF model for determination of the run-out zones. Forest structure data were obtained from 26 sample plots. A detailed description and delineation of forest stands was performed. The results showed that these forests play an important role in the protection of infrastructure. Forest protection efficiency can be improved by stand thinning for stability and careful planning of regeneration patches over time and space. In areas where silvicultural measures cannot provide sufficient protection, technical measures are needed. Since these forests have not been managed for several decades, natural disturbances (windthrow) are frequent. Research findings suggest that regular assessment and management of these beech-dominated protection forests are necessary, contrary to the current practice of non-management in protection forests in Slovenia.

Naturalness or Biodiversity: Negotiating the Dilemma of Intervention in Swedish Protected Area Management

Whether and how to intervene in nature to maintain or restore values is a contested issue among scholars within ecological restoration, protected area management and environmental ethics, but also among the practitioners and public officials who shape how nature is actually managed. This article analyses how the issue of intervention is debated in the case of protected forest area management in Sweden, a country with a traditionally strong preservationist discourse centred on maintaining areas as ‘untouched’ as possible. The analysis shows how this traditional view is challenged by a more interventionist discourse centred on adaptive management for biodiversity, but also how there are still attempts to reaffirm a preservationist discourse and practice. The implications of this as-yet-unsettled debate are discussed, concluding by pointing to a need to examine critically not only the older preservationist discourse and ‘naturalness', but also the ascendant interventionist discourse and ‘biodiversity'.

庐山森林景观空间分布格局及多尺度特征

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 庐山森林景观空间分布格局及多尺度特征 DOI: 10.5846/stxb201408181639 作者: 作者单位: 南京师范大学地理科学学院,南京师范大学地理科学学院,南京师范大学地理科学学院,南京师范大学地理科学学院,安徽大学商学院 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 国家自然科学基金(41271150);江苏高校优势学科建设工程资助项目 Spatial distribution patterns and multi-scale features of the Lushan forest landscape Author: Affiliation: School of Geographic Science, Nanjing Normal University,School of Geographic Science, Nanjing Normal University,School of Geographic Science, Nanjing Normal University,School of Geographic Science, Nanjing Normal University, Fund Project: 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:森林景观是区域整体景观的重要组成部分,研究其空间分布格局对于优化区域景观整体结构和发挥生态经济效益具有重要意义。基于庐山2010年植被斑块数据,将森林景观划分为常绿阔叶林、落叶阔叶林、松类、杉类和竹类等5类景观,从森林景观的不同发育阶段和林分类型角度出发,运用点格局分析法分析5类森林景观空间分布格局特征。最邻近距离分析表明:5类森林景观空间分布类型均服从集聚分布但聚集强弱有变化;不同发育阶段的森林景观空间分布类型以集聚分布为主,随机分布为辅,尤其幼龄林比较显著,中龄林和老龄林次之;5类森林景观的天然林均服从集聚分布,人工林大多趋于随机分布,只有松类和杉类呈显著集聚分布。Ripley's K函数揭示了不同发育阶段和林分类型的森林景观的多尺度集聚特征,即在小尺度范围内服从随机分布,随着空间距离的增大,以空间特征尺度为分界线,空间聚集强度先逐渐增强,随后不断减弱。总体来看,庐山森林景观的发育阶段主要处于幼年时期,原始植被遭到人类大肆破坏,幼龄林大片分布,属于典型的恢复性植被,未来要重点保护好天然林,减少人为干扰,实现森林景观适度集聚。研究庐山森林景观的空间分布和多尺度特征可以为生态环境保护和实现森林可持续经营提供理论指导。 Abstract:The forest landscape is an important part of the overall landscape, and therefore studying the spatial distribution pattern of regional landscapes will play an important role in optimizing the overall landscape structure for ecological and economic benefits. Based on vegetation patch data obtained from the Lushan forest in 2010, point-pattern analysis was used to examine the spatial distribution patterns of five forest landscape features with respect to developmental stage and forest type. Nearest-neighbor analysis showed that the five types of forest landscape were consistent with a clustered distribution, but the strength of the distribution varied; the nearest-neighbor indices for each type were all less than 1, but the overall forest landscape was consistent with a random distribution. The spatial distribution of various developmental stages mainly showed a clustered distribution pattern, but random and uniform distributions also occurred, especially in young forests, followed by middle-aged and mature forests. This distribution pattern was closely related to the number of patches: greater patch numbers were associated with a more clustered distribution, and smaller patch numbers were associated with random and uniform distributions. Natural forests of the five landscape types were all consistent with a clustered distribution, and the extent of clustering was variable. Only pine and fir demonstrated significantly clustered distributions among the plantation forests, and others were subject to a random distribution. Ripley's K-function analysis showed strong scale-dependence of the distribution pattern of landscapes. Different spatial scales showed different distribution patterns, but different developmental stages and forest types exhibited generally consistent distributions, i.e., random distributions on a small scale, a more clustered distribution as the spatial distances increased, and became weakening beyond of the dividing lines, which were defined as the spatial characteristics lines. Overall, the developmental stage of the Lushan forest landscape was in its infancy, and is characterized by a typical pattern of vegetation recovery; during this phase, it is critical to protect the natural forest rather than damage it. Therefore, the task of closing hillsides to facilitate afforestation is tough. Further study and research on various developmental stages and forest types and their associated landscape spatial distribution patterns and multi-scale features can provide theoretical guidance for ecological and environmental protection and sustainable forest management. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

Balancing the Relationship Between Protection and Sustainable Management in Canada′s Boreal Forest

Protection and sustainable forest management are related but unique, with protection focusing on minimising risk to ecosystems and sustainable management emphasising economic development. Given these distinct roles, a defining characteristic of the relationship between the two approaches is their relative abundance and distribution. The relationship is currently imbalanced, with only 12% of Canada allocated to protection, indicating that ecological values have historically been traded off in favour of resource production. The intactness of Canada's boreal forest provides an opportunity for a more holistic approach that conserves its globally significant environmental attributes while also supporting resource production. The Boreal Forest Conservation Framework proposes a balanced relationship that allocates land approximately equally between protection and sustainable management. It is a framework that has been endorsed by industry, Aboriginal, and conservation organisations, and is supported by conservation science. Recent commitments to comprehensive land-use planning at regional scales are consistent with the collaborative approach promoted by the Boreal Forest Conservation Framework, and suggest that conservation objectives are likely to receive increased attention in Canada's boreal region relative to recent history. Ensuring that land-use planning is proactive and balanced will be essential to forging a cooperative relationship between sustainable management and protection in the region.

Introduction: Relationships Between Protected Areas and Sustainable Forest Management: Where are We Heading?

The relationship between protected areas and forest management has been one that has often been fraught with conflict. New practices in the forest sector and new ecological insights have led more recently to better co-operation in some regions, although it is debatable to what extent cooperative approaches are desirable. In this introduction to the special section on the relationships between protected areas and sustainable forest management, we outline the history of the forestry and protected areas sectors in Canada, and the evolution of the relationships between them. We define key terms for the debate and offer a novel framework for understanding the relationship between the two sectors as management regimes that occur along parallel continua of sustainability. This framework is contrasted against real-world findings from across Canada, and with examples from elsewhere in the world.

Development and Evaluation of the Sustainable Management Index System for Fujian Coastal Shelterbelt

Sustainable management means the operation and construction of coastal shelterbelt, Sustainable management for the establishment of the index system is the premise of sustainable management of coastal protection forest management research. This paper, based on Fujian Coastal Shelterbelt management practice and using the AHP and expert investigation method, gives a description on coastal shelterbelt sustainable management index system which contains 26 indicators at 4 levels and 12 variables. Then the current condition of Fujian coastal shelterbelt sustainable management has been evaluated with the index system. The result shows that the comprehensive index is 0.7896. The tendency of the sustainable management is basically sustainable. The key factors of coastal shelterbelt sustainable management are found according to the evaluation. Those factors include protective maturity, the forest coverage rate, the proportion of area of nature reserves, the volume per unit area, the area of forest types by age class division and ratios of coastal shelterbelt and so on.

Balancing Wildlife and Human Needs: The Protected Forest Approach in Nepal

This paper introduces the Forest as a new conservation approach in Nepal. Historically there were two dominant forest management approaches in Nepal: protected areas and community-based forestry. These site-based management approaches were able to contribute to protect- ing endangered wildlife species, enhancing greenery, and improving livelihoods of forest-dependent communities. However, these approaches were not suitable when applied to increasing populations of wide-ranging mobile species because, outside of protected areas, conservation activities are in their infancy. To enhance the mobility of wildlife and conserve biodiversity, the Government of Nepal de- clared particular forest patches as Protected Forests to link the existing protected areas creating their network to manage the flora and fauna, while acknowledging the reliance of local communities on the forest resources. In order to create and maintain a balance between conservation and human needs for forest resources, a zoning-based Protected Forests management plan was devised, assigning specific forest patches for specific purposes. Since local community forest user groups were enjoying full benefits from their community forests, in the initial phase of the implementation of protected forest management, local communities may have to compromise on their consumption of forest products as some sections of the area are assigned for absolute protection. In the short run, they are compensated by support provided for income-generating activities; and, in the long run, they can enjoy more benefits through ecotourism. Hence, the protected forest approach creates a win-win situation for both wildlife and local communities.

Natura 2000 et les forêts de l’Europe : comprendre et relever les défis de la mise en oeuvre

Le projet BeFoFu, finance par BiodivERsA, avait pour objet d’etudier a la fois les defis ecologiques lies a la gestion des forets protegees et les defis en matiere de gouvernance lies a la mise en oeuvre de Natura 2000. La presente note d’orientation decrit ces defis socioecologiques, presente les principaux resultats de cette recherche et, enfin, suggere plusieurs voies pouvant conduire a une politique capable de repondre a ces defis et ainsi ameliorer l’efficacite de Natura 2000 en matiere de conservation et de gestion durable des forets europeennes.

Discourse Analysis of Decentralization Policy Making Process of Protected Forest Management

”Decentralization of protected forest management from central to district government has not yet been implemented effectively. This effectiveness depends on many factors that include policy contents and political process or discourse in the policy making process. This study aimsto: 1) analyze the discourse in policy making process of decentralization in the management of protected forests, 2) analyze the actors/networks and their interests and 3) find out policy space for future policy reform. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were used in the study. The results show that there are three discourses in the policy-making process of decentralized management of protected forests, namely: i) democratic discourse (with story line of externality and accountability, supported by an association forum of Indonesian district government and decentralization experts); ii) economic discourse (with story line of efficiency, supported by businessmen, Association of Indonesian Provincial Government and World Bank); and iii) democratic and economic discourses. The House of Representatives (DPR) and Ministry of Home Affairs have authorities and capacities to integrate two discourses. Redefining of externality and interdependency can be used as narratives of new policies to improve the policy of decentralized protected forest management.

IDENTIFIKASI TAHAPAN DAN FAKTOR-FAKTOR SOSIAL PEMBANGUNAN HUTAN RAKYAT DI SEKITAR KAWASAN HUTAN LINDUNG

Development of private forests was thought to have good impact on the security of protected forest. The development could increase the ability of farmers in managing degraded lands, especially on private lands around the protected forest, so the disruption to the forest is reduced. The study was conducted in Sajang Village, East Lombok District and Bentek Hinterland, North Lombok District. Social factors were collected, such as education of farmers, forest ownership, local perceptions, and perception farmers towards forests, local institutions and the characteristics of the management of protected forest. Interview was conducted on 50 respondents for each location. Analysis data was done through correlation test, factor selection, and regression test. At 95% confidence level, was elected four factors associated with the ownership of private forests by farmers, namely: age of farmers, local institutional goals, pressure to local institutions and knowledge of farmers about the benefits of protected forest. Based on the four factors, the changes in the activity of local communities from depending on forest resources to building private forest was occured gradually over a long time, but it could be accelerated by increasing the independence of local institutions, and by the efforts to increase understanding of farmers in the benefits of protected forest. Keywords: Private forest, protected forest, social factors

Spatial characterization of root reinforcement at stand scale: Theory and case study

We propose a new upscaling approach for quantify root reinforcement at the stand scale using the spatially explicit root bundle model (RBM) for describing pullout force-displacement behavior coupled with a model for lateral root distribution. The root distribution model was calibrated using data of two excavated soil profiles, and validated with measurements of root distribution along the scarp of an artificially rainfall-triggered landslide in a vegetated hillslope above the Rhine river in northern Switzerland. Results show that the model overestimates small root density (1–3mm diameter), leading to an error in estimated maximum root reinforcement of about 28%. For comparison, the most commonly used model of Wu overpredicts root reinforcement by a factor of 3. The spatial variability of estimated maximum root reinforcement within the forest stand is high, ranging from 0 to 20kPa. Most soil reinforcement by roots occurs close to the tree stem or in zones where root systems overlap. The new approach provides a detailed description of maximum root reinforcement on a slope, an essential element for the prediction of shallow landslides and the management of protection forests.

Ground and satellite-based assessments of wet eucalypt forest survival and regeneration for predicting long-term hydrological responses to a large wildfire

Large fires can have marked impacts on forest ecology and consequently on hydrology, including catchment water yields. Decisions on levels of fire protection and post-fire forest management require accurate information on the consequences of fire, including forest hydrological responses. In February 2009, wildfires burnt large areas of wet sclerophyll eucalypt forest in catchments supplying water to the city of Melbourne, Australia. Fire intensity was highly spatially variable, ranging from low intensity surface fire to high intensity crown fire. A survey of forest survival in three catchments 10–15months after the fires revealed a good correspondence between overstorey survival and a satellite-based fire severity rating.In forests dominated by Eucalyptus regnans and Eucalyptus delegatensis, overstorey survival was close to zero in the two highest fire severity classes (crown burn and crown scorch). However, in areas mapped as intermediate fire severity (moderate crown scorch), survival varied markedly both spatially and between forest age classes.In fire tolerant eucalypt species, in mixed stands of Eucalyptus obliqua, Eucalyptus radiata, Eucalyptus cypellocarpa, and Eucalyptus baxteri, and in pure stands of Eucalyptus nitens, survival was >90% at high and intermediate fire severity. For all overstorey eucalypt species, survival in the lowest two fire severity classes (light or no crown scorch) was >75% but in most of these areas the fire temporarily removed the understorey.The fire severity mapping and ground survey indicate large areas of senescing (approximately 250–300years old) and smaller areas of 70, 83 and 158year old E. regnans and E. delegatensis forest were killed. Based on past research, this would be expected to result in very dense seedling regeneration, increasing evapotranspiration and decreasing catchment yields over the coming 2–3 decades. However, 2years after the fire there were substantial differences between the three catchments in the density of seedling regeneration in these fire-killed areas. Where seedling densities are high, water yields are likely to decline. Areas with little or no eucalypt regeneration, however, might provide a persistent water yield increase. In addition, large areas of 70–158year old E. regnans and E. delegatensis overstorey survived the fire where fire severity was low. Removal of the understorey from these areas and suppression of understorey regrowth by the intact overstorey canopy might result in water yield increases persisting for years to a decade or more.

Globale Walderhaltung und -bewirtschaftung und ihre Finanzierung: eine Bestandesaufnahme | Global forest conservation and management and its financing: an appraisal

Around one third of the earth's surface is under forest cover which is distributed more or less equally between industrialised and developing countries. Whereas forest areas in the temperate and boreal climate zones are more or less stable or on the increase, the scale of deforestation and forest degradation in the tropics remains dramatic. This situation is likely to continue in the decades to come because the world's ever-growing population needs new agricultural land and the pressure on resources (forest products, land, water, minerals) continues to increase as a result of globalisation and global change. Moreover, sustainable forest management has not yet become standard practice in many southern countries because forest management can rarely compete with other forms of land use in terms of economic returns. The protection and sustainable management of forest resources is basically the responsibility of each individual country and cannot be regulated and financed globally. However, enormous financial resources, i.e. on a scale of tens of billions of Swiss francs per year, are required for the introduction of comprehensive land-use planning in developing countries incorporating suitable protection of natural forests and sustainable forest management. New approaches for the valorisation of services provided by forests such as carbon sinks (e.g. REDD+) offer significant potential for improving forest protection and sustainable forest management. It augurs well that the economic internalisation of the forest and its services is in full swing at global level and that, based on the REDD+ resolutions passed at the last climate conference in Cancún, many countries have opted for the path of forest conservation and sustainable forest management.

Traditional agroforestry systems and biodiversity conservation in Benin (West Africa)

In the past, the conservation of biodiversity has been mostly understood in terms of the management of protected areas and natural forests, ignoring the possible role of farm areas and the ways through which rural communities have promoted biodiversity in their subsistence agricultural production systems. The present study focused on the floristic diversity within traditional agroforestry parkland systems around the Pendjari Biosphere Reserve in Benin and showed the diversity of tree species in the area as well as socio-economic factors which affect the practice of this farming system. We used questionnaires and interviewed a total of 118 households to collect data. Respondents were interviewed on their farms and during the interview; we inventoried the number of tree on the farm and determined the farm size. Twenty-one tree species belonging to 14 botanical families were recorded during the surveys and the average stand density of the woody component of farmlands was 7.97 ± 5.43 stems/ha. A number of both native and exotic tree species occurred in the parkland agroforestry systems with dominance of indigenous tree species. Species richness varied with the size of household where households with small land holding conserve more tree species in their field than households with large land holdings. 64% of households surveyed were making deliberate efforts to plant tree species on their farmlands. The most important reasons which determined household ambitions to conserve woody species on farmland were tree products contribution to food and medicine. Results also showed that respondents who noticed that trees were decreasing in the wild conserve more tree species on their farmlands. This research highlights the role of traditional agroforestry practices to support tree species richness and provides evidence of the farms’ role as biodiversity reservoirs.

Ökonomische Konsequenzen der Verbissprobleme an der Rigi-Nordlehne

Economic consequences of browsing problems on Rigi-Nordlehne Stand regeneration with suitable tree species plays a key role in the management of protection forests. This is complicated in many regions in Switzerland due to browsing damage caused by game animals. In particular, the regeneration of the valuable Abies alba species is regionally heavily impaired. This can entail considerable expenses for the support of stand regeneration and compensation of lost protective effects. Using the Rigi-Nordlehne in Switzerland as test location, the following three questions were studied with the help of an analysis of cost-effectiveness and based on the Rigfor forest development model: 1) What costs are to be expected over the next 50 years for protection measures against browsing damage, 2) what would be the cost of a reduction of the game population size and 3) what measures are necessary for the replacement of the protective effects against avalanches and what are the respective costs? The study resulted in cost estimations for technical measures against browsing damage, game regulation and the combination of these two strategies. In addition, costs for the replacement of lost protective effects related to snow movements were estimated. The study shows, that the high pressure of browsing damage at the Rigi-Nordlehne causes forest management problems as well as economic disadvantages. Their amount is 3 million to 6.6 million Swiss francs within 50 years depending on the measures taken. Thus, the results obtained by the study at the Rigi-Nordlehne provide a new argument in the discussion of regeneration in protection forests, which in Switzerland for many years has mainly been lead based on silviculture and game ecology issues.

Vermarktung von Schutzleistungen des Waldes – das Beispiel des Kantons Bern | Marketing of protection services – the example of Canton Berne

In Switzerland, payments to forest owners and enterprises compensating the costs of forestry measures for protecting houses and infrastructure from natural hazards – and thus providing benefits to the public – are now better than for other non-wood products and services. With the new system of Redistribution of Income and Responsibilities between the Confederation and the cantons (NFA), not only the financial contributions and the procedures between Confederation and cantons have been adapted. In Canton Berne, the entity responsible for the safety of the object to be protected (“Safety Agency”) is now included in the decision making process and the financing. Where housing is concerned, the communal authorities usually act as Safety Agency, where infrastructure is concerned the owner or operating authority. The Forestry Service of Canton Berne defines the procedures, advises the forest owners and Safety Agency, and provides public funding when the requirements are met. Forest owners and Safety Agency agree on the services to be provided and the remaining funding. The financial contributions of Confederation, cantons and Safety Agency do not compensate the forest owner for the protective effect of his forest, but for the actual dispositive and operative services provided. These need to be furnished in an efficient and transparent way. Forest enterprises must also be able to make profits with the management of protection forests. Covering costs alone is not a sufficient incentive to ensure that the necessary measures are carried out in the long term.

Learning from a “benign neglect strategy” in a national park: Response of saproxylic beetles to dead wood accumulation

Increasing demands for firewood owing to rising energy costs have accelerated discussions about the amount of dead wood needed for conservation. A sharp increase in dead wood caused by bark beetles in a German national park provides lessons for management of commercial and protected forests. We investigated the effects of dead wood due to bark beetle infestation as well as tree senility on abundance and richness of saproxylic species of beetles. Increasing amounts of spruce dead wood and opening of the canopy by bark beetles had positive effects on the abundance of host-generalist, conifer-specialist, and red-listed saproxylic beetles. Broadleaf specialists were positively associated with the amount of broadleaf dead wood and negatively associated with canopy openness. Gradient analysis of beetle assemblages revealed two major environmental axes: canopy openness and amount of dead wood. We found a threshold for community divergence at a canopy openness of 23% (confidence interval CI: 11–49) and at an amount of dead wood of 64 m 3 ha −1 (CI: 35–160). Critically endangered species served as indicators of dense and open forests, but only when the amount of dead wood was high. Our results suggest that, to maintain saproxylic beetle assemblages, the amount of dead wood in commercial montane forests (at present ≈15 m 3 ha −1) needs to be tripled, with a focus on broadleaf wood in dense stands and spruce wood in open stands. For large protected areas in Europe, our data suggest that bark beetle infestation and senescence without active forest management improves habitat conditions for saproxylic beetles.