Retention as an integrated biodiversity conservation approach for continuous-cover forestry in Europe

Abstract

Retention forestry implies that biological legacies like dead and living trees are deliberately selected and retained beyond harvesting cycles to benefit biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. This model has been applied for several decades in even-aged, clearcutting (CC) systems but less so in uneven-aged, continuous-cover forestry (CCF). We provide an overview of retention in CCF in temperate regions of Europe, currently largely focused on habitat trees and dead wood. The relevance of current meta-analyses and many other studies on retention in CC is limited since they emphasize larger patches in open surroundings. Therefore, we reflect here on the ecological foundations and socio-economic frameworks of retention approaches in CCF, and highlight several areas with development potential for the future. Conclusions from this perspective paper, based on both research and current practice on several continents, although highlighting Europe, are also relevant to other temperate regions of the world using continuous-cover forest management approaches.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s13280-019-01190-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Predicting Tree-Related Microhabitats by Multisensor Close-Range Remote Sensing Structural Parameters for the Selection of Retention Elements

“…The main taxonomic groups that have been addressed in the established typology of TreMs include invertebrates such as insects, arachnids and gastropods as well as vertebrates such as birds, rodents, bats and carnivores [27]. It is a matter of ongoing research to evaluate which taxa profit directly or indirectly from the provision of TreMs, so far there is evidence that especially bats, saproxylic beetles and birds are related to the occurrence of TreMs [1,[28][29][30][31]. Habitat trees are considered large, old trees that offer a high number of TreMs compared to the "average" tree in a forest managed for timber production [32].…”

“…Habitat trees are considered large, old trees that offer a high number of TreMs compared to the "average" tree in a forest managed for timber production [32]. The selection of habitat trees based on TreMs has lately been implemented in various regions of Central Europe managed under continuous-cover forestry and therefore deserves increased attention [29,[33][34][35].…”

Evaluating the effectiveness of retention forestry to enhance biodiversity in production forests of Central Europe using an interdisciplinary, multi‐scale approach

“…ConFoBi emphasizes the ecological foundations and socio‐economic frameworks of retention approaches in continuous‐cover forestry (Gustafsson et al, ). Preliminary results indicate positive overall effects of retention of structural elements for forest biodiversity but also high variability among taxa and landscape settings; further, our findings suggest high potential for optimizing the integration of retention into management practice.…”

“…To understand the socio-economic context of biodiversity conservation in managed forests, ConFoBi will move from describing general knowledge structures to actions and impacts, to assess how practitioners integrate conservation in forest management. Finally, in an interdisciplinary synthesis, ConFoBi will quantify retention targets, ConFoBi emphasizes the ecological foundations and socio-economic frameworks of retention approaches in continuous-cover forestry (Gustafsson et al, 2019). Preliminary results indicate positive overall effects of retention of structural elements for forest biodiversity but also high variability among taxa and landscape F I G U R E 6 Gradients of forest structure at the plot scale.…”

Initial Responses in Growth, Production, and Regeneration following Selection Cuttings in Hardwood-Dominated Temperate Rainforests in Chile

“…Thus, while improving the quality and vigor of the residual stand and working toward a balanced diameter distribution are crucial for timber production objectives, they must be reconciled with the need to maintain key structural attributes of ecologic importance, such as ensuring an appropriate diameter and height diversity. Such modifications could be combined with setting aside groups of habitat trees within a landscape of stands managed via selection silviculture [15,44]. With those kinds of adjustments, findings from the current investigation of regeneration and growth responses suggest that selection cutting can adequately accommodate the concerns of Donoso [12], and serve as a useful alternative for managing Valdivian hardwood-dominated forests.…”