FORUM: Searching for biodiversity gains through woodfuel and forest management

Abstract

Summary1. Woodfuel extraction from established woods and forests is promoted in Western Europe as a renewable energy source. Woodfuel management is mainly carried out by silvicultural thinning or short-rotation harvesting, including coppicing. Potential negative effects include reduction in habitat quality for saproxylic species. However, in some regions, habitats may be improved for species that have declined as a result of increased shading. Resources required by most of these species are more likely to be delivered by short-rotation management than thinning. 2. Relatively little is documented on the effects of thinning intensity on ecological resources and biodiversity within European forests. Trade-offs between canopy cover, deer browsing pressure and understorey complexity are likely to occur. Therefore, interactions between thinning treatments and deer browsing potentially affect biodiversity, in the context of both woodfuel and timber production. 3. Synthesis and applications. Woodfuel management is unlikely to deliver benefits for most shade-intolerant species unless it creates substantial areas of young-growth with low deer impacts. However, more research is needed on thinning as a potential conservation tool. Changing climate and tree diseases are creating an uncertain future for forest management. It is timely for ecologists to work with forest managers to identify how integrated forestry and deer management can deliver positive and balanced biodiversity outcomes.

Long term thinning and logging in Australian cypress pine forest: Changes in habitat attributes and response of fauna

“…Carey, 2003;Kalies et al, 2010;Verschuyl et al, 2011), and developing for western Europe (e.g. de la Montaña et al, 2006;Fuller, 2013). In Australia, commercial forest thinning prescriptions are primarily based on production timber growth data for economic benefit, not biodiversity (Ngugi et al, 2013).…”

“…However, trajectories of change depend on the growth stage of the stand at the time of thinning, the ecological traits of the system being studied, and the landscape context within which thinning is undertaken and concurrent prevailing management e.g. grazing or fire Fuller, 2013).…”

Does Thinning Homogenous and Dense Regrowth Benefit Bats? Radio-Tracking, Ultrasonic Detection and Trapping

“…In addition to influencing tree growth, thinning affects the physical structure and composition of vegetation and modifies soil properties and microclimates (see [7] for a review). Given that biodiversity responses to thinning are complex, with changes being detrimental to some taxa and beneficial to others [7][8][9][10], it is essential to more fully explore the effects of this practice on a range of taxa.…”

Effects of deer on woodland structure revealed through terrestrial laser scanning

“…). In managed woodlands there are likely to be trade‐offs among canopy openness, deer densities and resultant understorey complexity (Fuller ), meaning that management decisions should be taken within a site‐level context, encompassing factors including browsing pressure and the dependence of species of conservation concern on particular microhabitats.…”