Sustainable Forestry Practices Research Articles

Integrating IOT and Drone Technology for Real-Time Forest Monitoring and Fire Detection: A Sustainable Approach for Ecosystem Preservation

This paper proposes an innovative approach to address the pressing challenges of forest monitoring and fire detection by leveraging the synergistic capabilities of Internet of Things (IOT) devices and drones. By integrating these cutting-edge technologies, our approach aims to revolutionize traditional forest management practices by facilitating real-time data collection, analysis, and decision-making. Through the strategic deployment of IOT sensors across forested areas, we can gather comprehensive environmental data, including temperature, humidity, air quality, and vegetation health. This extensive dataset, combined with the aerial surveillance capabilities of drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras, enables early detection and rapid response to potential fire incidents .Moreover, the proposed approach holds significant potential for enhancing collaboration and coordination among stakeholders involved in forest management, including government agencies, environmental organizations, and local communities. By providing access to timely and accurate information, it fosters greater transparency, accountability, and stakeholder engagement in decision-making processes related to forest conservation and sustainability. In conclusion, our innovative approach to forest monitoring and fire detection represents a paradigm shift in ecosystem management, offering a powerful toolkit for preserving biodiversity, mitigating climate change, and promoting sustainable forestry practices. Through continued research, development, and implementation, we can harness the full potential of IOT and drone technology to safeguard our forests for future generations. Keywords - Internet of Things (IOT), Drones, Environmental sensors, Data analytics, Sustainable forestry

Bibliometric analysis of global efforts in forest carbon partnerships: A decade of international research insights

Environmental challenges such as climate change and global warming are matters of worldwide significance. In response to these concerns, numerous countries have implemented proactive measures to significantly decrease the release of greenhouse gases. The Forest Carbon Partnership employs sustainable forestry practices to capture and store carbon dioxide. Forest Carbon Partnership concerns have been extensively explored by numerous experts. These studies comprehensively examine forest carbon partnerships based on their publication, authorship, and journal. The objective of the research is to identify 132 pertinent studies from the Scopus database that have been conducted within the last ten years. This study employs bibliometrics and VOSviewer to analyze the Forest Carbon Partnership. The analysis examines the distribution of publications over time, trends in authorship and citations, contributions by country, and subject areas. The study demonstrated that research on the Forest Carbon Partnership exhibits variability but had an upward trend in 2021, particularly in the field of environmental science. The United States and Indonesia have the greatest number of published studies. This bibliometric analysis investigated the progress and evolution of forest carbon partnerships during the last ten years. This study offers distinctive insights into several facets of these interactions and proposes intriguing avenues for further research.

Impact of Deforestation on Regional Climate Patterns in Japan

Purpose: To aim of the study was to analyze impact of deforestation on regional climate patterns. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: Research on the impact of deforestation in Japan reveals significant alterations in regional climate patterns. Deforested areas experience changes in precipitation, often leading to decreased rainfall and potential drought conditions. Additionally, deforestation contributes to higher temperatures, exacerbating the urban heat island effect and altering local weather dynamics. Modifications in atmospheric circulation patterns further compound these effects, potentially increasing the frequency of extreme weather events. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Theory of land surface-atmosphere interaction, bio geophysical feedback hypothesis & theory of atmospheric circulation changes may be used to anchor future studies on impact of deforestation on regional climate patterns. Implement sustainable land management practices and reforestation initiatives to mitigate the adverse effects of deforestation on regional climate patterns. Enact and enforce policies that promote sustainable forestry practices, including forest protection, sustainable logging, and forest restoration measures.

ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and Machine learning for sustainable wood sourcing and species Identification: Applications to wood forensics

Wood forensics, a vital tool in addressing global concerns surrounding illegal logging and the authenticity of wood products, plays a pivotal role in promoting sustainable forestry practices. The integration of Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier-Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and machine learning presents a potent approach to streamline identification processes and enhance responsible wood sourcing. ATR-FTIR facilitates the detailed characterization of wood components by analyzing spectral data, revealing unique chemical signatures associated with different wood species. This study focuses on Eucalyptus, Dalbergia, and Populus wood species in India, revealing common peaks related to cellulose, flavones, hemicellulose, and lignin constituents. Isolation Forest (iForest) identifies outliers, subsequently removed for supervised modelling, while Principal Component Analysis (PCA) reduces dimensionality effectively. Tree-based supervised machine learning algorithms, including Decision Tree, Extra Tree, Random Forest, and CatBoost classifiers, enhances the accuracy of wood species discrimination by deciphering complex patterns within ATR-FTIR spectra. Further, evaluation through various performance metrics supports the comparative analysis. The outcomes of this study hold significant value for law enforcement agencies in combating illegal logging and timber trade, and potential applications in quality control for timber industries. This research substantiates its real-world applicability, marking a noteworthy advancement in the evolving field of wood forensics.

Abiotic factors impact on oak forest decline in Lorestan Province, Western Iran

The Zagros oak forests in Iran are facing a concerning decline due to prolonged and severe drought conditions over several decades, compounded by the simultaneous impact of temperature on oak populations. This study in oak woodlands of central Zagros forests in Lorestan province analyzed abiotic factors such as climate properties, topographic features, land use, and soil properties from 1958 to 2022. We found that higher elevation areas with steeper slopes and diverse topography show significant potential for enhancing oak tree resilience in the face of climate change. Additionally, traditional land use practices like livestock keeping and dryland farming contribute to a widespread decline in oak populations. Preserving forest biodiversity and ensuring ecological sustainability requires immediate attention. Implementing effective land-use management strategies, such as protecting and regulating human-forest interaction, and considering meteorological factors to address this issue is crucial. Collaborative efforts from stakeholders, policymakers, and local communities are essential to oppose destructive suburban sprawl and other developments. Sustainable forestry practices should be implemented to improve the living standards of local communities that rely on forests and traditional livestock keeping, offer forestry-related jobs, and ensure social security. Such efforts are necessary to promote conservation awareness and sustainable practices, safeguarding this unique and vital ecosystem for future generations.

Nature-Based Solutions: Sustainable Development of Latin America

Latin America is a region with abundant natural resources and diverse cultures, much of which lies between the tropics. Sustainable agriculture, pasture, and forestry practices can have a reduced environmental impact in this region compared to other parts of the world. These integrated systems practices can create a balanced use of chemical inputs, harmonious relations between humans and soil-plants-livestock, and even provide a nature-based solution to climate change by sequestering carbon emissions and are also less likely to lead to soil degradation. These practices are central to a new economic paradigm focused on a sustainable and circular bioeconomy and depend on public policies, incentives, financial mechanisms, and commitments from the business. Carbon farming sustainable agriculture focused on increasing soil health and reducing emissions can gain scale with market-driven mechanisms to surpass the various challenges. This paper presents condensed information from primary and secondary sources, representing established knowledge in the field of soil carbon sequestration in agricultural lands and its role in carbon neutrality. By implementing these strategies, we can support farmers while contributing to the objectives set by the Paris Agreement and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

A comparison of environmental performance of electronic and bound-thesis using life cycle assessment

Dematerialization through information technology aids in advancing environmental sustainability. Replacing a bound thesis with an e-thesis for a university dissertation will be a complementary paradigm shift for higher environmental performance. Hence, the study intended to determine and compare the environmental performance parameters of conventional paper-based bound-thesis and e-thesis. Moreover, the study aimed to identify the activities causing higher environmental burdens during the production of bound and e-thesis. Open LCA 1.11 was employed for a conventional bound thesis with its e-version submitted by the undergraduates of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. The study utilized U.S. EPA life-cycle inventory data. The analysis demonstrated that the overall global warming potential of a 40-page hard cover thesis was 4,839,000.00 kg CO2-eq to which paper and cover import and paper manufacturing stages contributed more than 99% (4,830,000.0 kg CO2-eq). In comparison, a 0.084 MB soft copy of an e-thesis reported a negligible (0.09936 kg CO2-eq) global warming potential value. Ozone formation-human health, ozone formation-terrestrial ecosystems, terrestrial acidification, fine particulate matter formation, and marine eutrophication potential were 265,584.31 kg NOx eq, 265,583.21 kg NOx eq, 177,451.5 kg SO2 eq, 52,948 kg PM2.5 eq, and 29,041.0 kg N-eq for bound thesis production system. Except for the stratospheric ozone depletion impact and water consumption, environmental performance indicators of e-thesis were superior to the conventional-bound thesis. The study recommends the preparation of e-thesis as an environmentally sound approach. Switching to renewables, extended lifespan, and material recycling of devices at the end of use, sustainable forestry practices, process optimization, and cleaner production technologies can further enhance the environmental performance of e-thesis.

Satellite Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System Technologies for Industrial Tree Plantation Mapping and Monitoring: A Way Forward for the Sustainable Development of the Philippine ITP Industry

KEY POINTS
 ● Industrial Tree Plantations (ITPs) are a vital contributor to the Philippines' log and timber production, but these ITPs requires better and more efficient way of characterization and monitoring.
 ● Current policies require ground validations surveys to monitor ITPs for regulation purposes. However, these approaches are often difficult to conduct, time consuming and expensive.
 ● Satellite remote sensing (SRS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies offer an efficient alternative to traditional ground surveys for mapping and monitoring ITPs.
 ● SRS and GIS enable detailed mapping of ITPs, including species-level identification, and provides valuable data for forest resource management and environmental monitoring.
 ● SRS and GIS technologies should be integrated into existing policies by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to efficiently map, monitor, and manage ITPs in the country, ensuring informed decision-making and sustainable forestry practices.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN UTTARAKHANDS PULP AND PAPER INDUSTRY: A COMPREHENSIVE RESEARCH ANALYSIS

This research paper delves into the Pulp and Paper Industry in Uttarakhand, exploring its historical development, technological advancements, environmental impact, regulatory landscape, and proposed strategies for sustainable development. Uttarakhands rich forest resources make it a significant contributor to the paper manufacturing sector, with a historical reliance on traditional manufacturing processes. However, the industry has undergone transformative changes to adopt sustainable practices, such as high dependence on biomass residues for energy. Technological advancements, including mechanical and chemical pulping innovations, recycled fiber processing, digital printing, nanotechnology applications, and energy-efficient processes, have played a pivotal role in improving environmental sustainability. The environmental impact, including deforestation, air and water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions, is examined, emphasizing the need for sustainable forestry practices and clean energy sources. The paper also discusses relevant regulations and policies affecting the industry in Uttarakhand, along with existing challenges and opportunities. The research concludes with proposed solutions and strategies for achieving sustainable development in the regions Pulp and Paper Industry.

Winged Wonders and Lush Landscapes: Exploring the Harmony between Birds and Forests

Birds are essential bio- or eco-engineers that play a vital role in regulating nature, and their interactions with other environmental aspects can be complex and varied. Forests and birds are intricately intertwined. Through their mutual interaction, they create a harmonious living system that supports both parties. Forest birds play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of nature by dispersing seeds, pollinating flowers, and controlling insect populations. In addition to housing and food, forests offer bird's places to nest, wintering grounds, and thermal refuges. The diversity and distribution of forest birds are critical indicators of forest health and ecosystem function. However, factors such as climate change, habitat loss and fragmentation, and human activities profoundly impact the distribution and abundance of forest birds. Addressing these issues and taking action to mitigate their effects is essential. The forest ecosystem and its avian inhabitants can be protected by restoring degraded habitats, putting conservation practices into place, and promoting sustainable forestry practices.

Identification of Candidate Genes Involved in Bud Growth in Pinus pinaster through Knowledge Transfer from Arabidopsis thaliana Models

Pinus pinaster is a plant species of great ecological and economic importance. Understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms that govern the growth and branching of P. pinaster is crucial for enhancing wood production and improving product quality. In this study, we describe a simple methodology that enables the discovery of candidate genes in Pinus pinaster by transferring existing knowledge from model species like Arabidopsis thaliana and focusing on factors involved in plant growth, including hormonal and non-hormonal pathways. Through comparative analysis, we investigated the main genes associated with these growth-related factors in A. thaliana. Subsequently, we identified putative homologous sequences in P. pinaster and assessed the conservation of their functional domains. In this manner, we can exclude sequences that, despite displaying high homology, lack functional domains. Finally, we took an initial approach to their validation by examining the expression levels of these genes in P. pinaster trees exhibiting contrasting growth patterns. This methodology allowed the identification of 26 candidate genes in P. pinaster. Our findings revealed differential expression patterns of key genes, such as NCED3, NRT1.2, PIN1, PP2A, ARF7, MAX1, MAX2, GID1, AHK4, AHP1, and STP1, in relation to the different growth patterns analyzed. This study provides a methodological foundation for further exploration of these genes involved in the growth and branching processes of P. pinaster. This will contribute to the understanding of this important tree species and open new avenues for enhancing its utilization in sustainable forestry practices.

Action of the plant-based essential oil-derived compound Taxol for improvising drought tolerance in Eucalyptus by modulating the VIT1 channel protein: a cutting-edge computational approach.

Background: Drought poses a significant threat to the growth and survival of woody plants, especially Eucalyptus grandis, which is known for its slow and steady growth. Understanding the physiological and molecular responses of E. grandis to abiotic stress is essential for developing strategies to improve its drought resistance. This study focuses on the potential vulnerability of E. grandis during the initial months of root system proliferation and investigates the role of the essential oil-derived compound Taxol in enhancing its drought resistance. Methodology: A comprehensive analysis was performed on various aspects of E. grandis, including morphological features, photosynthetic rates, pigment concentrations, nitrogenous components, and lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, the study examined the accumulation of soluble carbohydrates, proline, and antioxidant enzymes as part of the tree's response to drought stress. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were conducted to determine the binding affinity of Taxol, an essential oil derived from Taxus brevifolia, with the VIT1 protein in E. grandis. Results: E. grandis displayed remarkable resilience to drought by accumulating vast reserves of soluble carbohydrates, proline, and antioxidant enzymes. The essential oil-derived compound Taxol exhibited a strong binding affinity with the VIT1 protein (-10.23kcal/mol), suggesting its potential role in enhancing the tree's drought resistance. Conclusion: This study reveals the pivotal role of Taxol in augmenting the resilience of E. grandis against drought stress and improving its therapeutic oil properties. Emphasizing the tree's inherent tolerance during its susceptible early stages is crucial in promoting sustainable agriculture and forestry practices. The findings underscore the importance of advanced scientific research in uncovering the concealed capabilities of robust trees like E. grandis as we continue our pursuit of a sustainable future.

Forest owner or shareholder? Ownership feelings in a jointly-owned forest

ABSTRACT Parcelisation-induced fragmentation is a common development trend in forest ownership in many Western countries. In Finland, the idea of a jointly-owned forest (JOF) has been introduced to facilitate the effective management of forest resource in parcelised and fragmented forest owning contexts. A JOF is an area of combined holdings intended for the practice of sustainable forestry for the benefit of the shareholders. The establishment of JOFs alters the core idea of ownership as it diminishes individual forest owners’ ability to control their holdings. We suggest that the feelings of ownership are important, yet under researched, aspects in the development and operation of JOFs. In this study, we focus on these ownership feelings by asking what kind of owner types are associated with JOFs. We build a qualitative typology of four owner types which we named active owners, investors, legacy fosterers, and detached owners. Our study contributes to the discussion on JOFs by showing that shared ownership can incorporate a variety of owner types with different ownership feelings. We claim that the need to understand these different owner types is important to facilitate the development of tools and policy instruments that will contribute to the establishment and management of jointly-owned forests.

Moso bamboo expansion into a broadleaved forest alters the dominant soil organic carbon source

AbstractBoth microbes and plants contribute to soil organic carbon (SOC) formation and retention, but their roles in controlling SOC dynamics in forest soils under Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) expansion remain unclear. Here, amino sugars and lignin monomers were measured to represent microbial necromass and plant‐derived components, respectively. The observed decline in both amino sugars and lignin monomers during Moso bamboo expansion indicates a reduction in microbial necromass and recalcitrant plant contributions to SOC composition. This could be attributed to a limitation of microbial substrates and proliferation caused by the reduced litter inputs resulting from the expansion. The proportion of microbial necromass contributing to the SOC pool increased, but that of lignin monomers decreased, as SOC content decreased with Moso bamboo expansion. This suggests that the decrease of SOC during bamboo expansion was mainly due to the reduction of lignin, while the increased contribution of microbial‐derived carbon to SOC may serve to improve SOC stability. Our study sheds light on the altered SOC source inputs resulting from Moso bamboo expansion and emphasizes the need for sustainable forestry management practices that differentiate between microbial‐ and plant‐derived carbon pools.

Forest islands in farmland provide vital roost trees year-round for giant and common noctule bats: Management implications

Forest islands in agricultural landscapes may be vital for biodiversity conservation, providing habitats for a variety of species, including bats. Our study focused on a forest island in NE Italy, where we observed mixed-species groups of giant (Nyctalus lasiopterus) and common (Nyctalus noctula) noctules roosting at the site. The giant noctule is highly endangered across Europe, and our findings shed light on its roosting preferences, providing key information to inform sustainable forestry practices that take this species into account. Using photographic methods and direct observation, we established that both common and giant noctules occur year-round in the forest island, with giant noctules giving birth, hibernating, and probably mating there. The bats preferred aspen trees and trees rich in cavities with high canopy closure and reduced sun exposure found in the forest interior, while they avoided forest edges. Rot cavities were frequently used, but we found no selection for cavity type, entrance height, or aspect. Despite the common belief that forestry activities in winter have negligible impact on bats, the felling of roost trees during this time can result in significant bat mortality since both common and giant noctules use these trees for hibernation. The number of cavities in a tree is a reliable predictor of a noctule roost, so it is advisable, year-round, to protect trees with cavities. Sustainable forestry practices should incorporate measures to provide roosting opportunities for bats, especially noctules. Our study only pertains to a single forest fragment. While our findings are novel and informative and highlight the conservation value of the forest island we studied, at this stage, they should not be generalized to all forest islands. We, therefore, encourage further large-scale studies to determine whether other forest islands are used similarly and to assess the broad-scale conservation implications of our work, particularly for threatened species such as the giant noctule.

Climate benefits of wooden construction in urban context

Wooden construction materials have two climate benefits compared to non-wooden options: lower lifecycle emissions and a carbon storage potential. This study estimates the implications of replacing concrete buildings with wooden ones for a period of 35 years in Helsinki metropolitan area, Finland. The study has three main steps. First, the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions difference between concrete and wooden buildings is estimated. Next, we select the most accurate carbon storage potential of wooden buildings. Finally, we compare future wooden and concrete building scenarios regarding the climate benefits for the metropolitan area. We use data provided by the regional authority of the study area on predicted residential building construction. According to our findings, switching to wooden construction in urban areas can have a significant climate benefit for the studied region. Increasing wooden construction can cut carbon emissions by 0.56 Mt and increase the carbon storage by 1.83 Mt in the study area, an amount that is four times bigger than the yearly emissions from traffic in the same urban area. The findings are not only useful for the city of Helsinki but also to other global cities which have committed to carbon neutral strategies and have sustainable forestry practices available.

How do terrestrial wildlife communities respond to small‐scale Acacia plantations embedded in harvested tropical forest?

To offset the declining timber supply by shifting towards more sustainable forestry practices, industrial tree plantations are expanding in tropical production forests. The conversion of natural forests to tree plantation is generally associated with loss of biodiversity and shifts towards more generalist and disturbance tolerant communities, but effects of mixed‐landuse landscapes integrating natural and plantation forests remain little understood. Using camera traps, we surveyed the medium‐to‐large bodied terrestrial wildlife community across two mixed‐landuse forest management areas in Sarawak, Malaysia Borneo which include areas dedicated to logging of natural forests and adjacent planted Acacia forests. We analyzed data from a 25‐wildlife species community using a Bayesian community occupancy model to assess species richness and species‐specific occurrence responses to Acacia plantations at a broad scale, and to remote‐sensed local habitat conditions within the different forest landuse types. All species were estimated to occur in both landuse types, but species‐level percent area occupied and predicted average local species richness were slightly higher in the natural forest management areas compared to licensed planted forest management areas. Similarly, occupancy‐based species diversity profiles and defaunation indices for both a full community and only threatened and endemic species suggested the diversity and occurrence were slightly higher in the natural forest management areas. At the local scale, forest quality was the most prominent predictor of species occurrence. These associations with forest quality varied among species but were predominantly positive. Our results highlight the ability of a mixed‐landuse landscape with small‐scale Acacia plantations embedded in natural forests to retain terrestrial wildlife communities while providing an alternate source of timber. Nonetheless, there was a tendency towards reduced biodiversity in planted forests, which would likely be more pronounced in plantations that are larger or embedded in a less natural matrix.

Forests and Plastic Wastes: A Natural Parasitic Relationship with the Concept of Sustainable Forestry

Sustainable Forest Management refers to the management and utilization of forests and their biodiversity, productivity, reproducibility potential and prospective in the relevant environment, both now and in the future in a manner that does not harm economic and social outputs at different levels, which creates socially equitable, environmentally sound and economically viable outcomes. Proper and sustainable plastic waste management is now seen as a necessity for sustainable forest use, leading to the setting of ambitious targets for recyclability as well as incorporating recycled plastics into products. For the scientific and forest management community, the challenges hindering efforts to mitigate plastic pollution are identified to inform the recommendations presented and emphasize the urgency of finding sustainable solutions to plastic pollution that do not only address the existing issues faced by forests and environments but also future threats presented by plastic pollution. Another way that plastic impact wildlife and forests is by releasing additives such as phthalates and Bisphenol A (BPA) into food chains which disrupts hormone system of vertebrates and invertebrates because they release substances that generate hormone imbalances. Plastic wastes manage to enter into and harm numerous biological functions of animals. In this article concept of sustainable forest practices and addressing the impact of plastic waste on the forests and environment before and during the COVID-19 epidemic are highlighted along with current sources of plastic wastes which manage to enter the environment. With sustainable forestry practices, plastic waste can be reduced, which has a positive impact on the ecosystem.

Effects of Precipitation and Soil Moisture on the Characteristics of the Seedling Bank under Quercus acutissima Forest Plantation in Mount Tai, China

Natural regeneration is crucial for the development of sustainable forestry practices in light of the current global climate changes. In this paper, we compared the size distributions of Quercus acutissima seedlings in the understory of Q. acutissima forest plantations in Mount Tai in 2010 and 2017, studied the physiological and morphological responses of seedlings to the microenvironment, and explored the maintenance mechanisms of the seedling bank. The results showed that the density of understory seedlings in 2017 was only 61.63% of that in 2010, especially in the 20–40 cm height class. Between 2011 and 2016, the precipitation and soil water content were the highest in 2011, followed by 2013. The 2–4-year seedlings (height < 40 cm) were not significantly different in seedling biomass, biomass allocation, and root morphology (root total surface area, root volume, and root average diameter), and were significantly different in total root length, specific root length, specific root surface area, and nonstructural carbohydrate content of root, stem, and leaves. However, 5–6-year seedlings (height > 40 cm) showed the largest biomass. Principal component analysis indicated that altering root morphology, nonstructural carbohydrate, and biomass allocation played significant roles in the drought adaptation of seedlings in the understory. In conclusion, drought stress together with seedling adaptation influenced the dynamics of seedling bank in the understory of Q. acutissima plantations.

Short-term experimental support for bird diversity retention measures during thinning in European boreal forests

Current levels of forestry expansion in boreal forests threaten to radically reduce biodiversity. For many forest-dwelling species the threat is not simply because the forest is used for biomass production, but rather how it is used. Retention forestry practices aim to limit impacts on biodiversity during the final felling stage of a forestry cycle. However, the efficiency of such methods in retaining biodiversity have rarely been studied for intermediate forestry stages (e.g., forest thinning) with experimental approaches entirely absent from boreal forests. Therefore, we conducted a before-after control-impact experiment in Sweden to investigate the short-term response in occurrence of individual bird species, guilds, and population trend groups (positive, stable, or negative population trend), as well as the response in nest box occupancy and in the reproductive success of Parus major to three different thinning treatments. The three treatments were i) conventional thinning at the plot and stand scale, (ii) understory retention thinning, where at least 250 spruces with live branches below 2 m above ground are retained per hectare, and (iii) complete retention plots, where the forest was not thinned on ∼1 ha plots within conventionally thinned forest stands. We found that conventional forest thinning was likely the cause for observed declines in bird occurrence, with ∼20% of the species showing clear negative responses. Our results indicate that understory retention thinning with double the retention level as previously suggested and combining conventional thinning with complete retention plots, could largely alleviate the short term negative effects of conventional thinning. This was the case for all guilds, population trend groups and individual bird species, except for Poecile montanus, which responded negatively to complete retention. Among the birds occupying the nest boxes, only Cyanistes caeruleus responded to any of the treatments, with higher nest box occupancy upon understory retention thinning. No thinning treatment affected reproductive success in P. major. Our results clearly show that thinning practices that retain the diversity of forest-dwelling birds are possible. Hence, this study provides a crucial puzzle piece towards more sustainable forestry practices in the boreal region.