Past and present pressures on forest resources have led to a drastic decrease in the surface
area of unmanaged forests in Europe. Changes in forest structure, composition, and dynamics inevitably
lead to changes in the biodiversity of forest-dwelling species. The possible biodiversity gains and losses due to
forest management (i.e., anthropogenic pressures related to direct forest resource use), however, have never
been assessed at a pan-European scale. We used meta-analysis to review 49 published papers containing 120
individual comparisons of species richness between unmanaged and managed forests throughout Europe. We
explored the response of different taxonomic groups and the variability of their response with respect to time
since abandonment and intensity of forest management. Species richness was slightly higher in unmanaged
than in managed forests. Species dependent on forest cover continuity, deadwood, and large trees (bryophytes, lichens, fungi, saproxylic beetles) and carabids were negatively affected by forest management. In contrast,
vascular plant species were favored. The response for birds was heterogeneous and probably depended more
on factors such as landscape patterns. The global difference in species richness between unmanaged and
managed forests increased with time since abandonment and indicated a gradual recovery of biodiversity.
Clearcut forests in which the composition of tree species changed had the strongest effect on species richness,
but the effects of different types of management on taxa could not be assessed in a robust way because
of low numbers of replications in the management-intensity classes. Our results show that some taxa are
more affected by forestry than others, but there is a need for research into poorly studied species groups in
Europe and in particular locations. Our meta-analysis supports the need for a coordinated European research
network to study and monitor the biodiversity of different taxa in managed and unmanaged forests.

/pdf/biodiversity-differences-between-managed-and-unmanaged-1hyz4y4uql.pdf

Biodiversity Differences between Managed and Unmanaged Forests: Meta-Analysis of Species Richness in Europe

This article highlights how the loose definition of the term ‘refugia’ has led to discrepancies in methods used to assess the vulnerability of species to the current trend of rising global temperatures. The term ‘refugia’ is commonly used without distinguishing between macrorefugia and microrefugia, ex situ refugia and in situ refugia, glacial and interglacial refugia or refugia based on habitat stability and refugia based on climatic stability. It is not always clear which definition is being used, and this makes it difficult to assess the appropriateness of the methods employed. For example, it is crucial to develop accurate fine-scale climate grids when identifying microrefugia, but coarse-scale macroclimate might be adequate for determining macrorefugia. Similarly, identifying in situ refugia might be more appropriate for species with poor dispersal ability but this may overestimate the extinction risk for good dispersers. More care needs to be taken to properly define the context when referring to refugia from climate change so that the validity of methods and the conservation significance of refugia can be assessed.

/pdf/identifying-refugia-from-climate-change-1qfcfnno5n.pdf

Identifying refugia from climate change

The forest canopy is fundamentally important in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem function. Cryptogamic epiphytes are dominant tree bole and canopy elements in temperate and boreal forests, though remain neglected by mainstream forest ecology. This review makes ecological information on cryptogamic epiphytes available to a non-specialist audience, to facilitate their integration in forest biodiversity and ecosystem studies more generally. The review focuses specifically on lichen epiphytes, highlighting their diversity and ecosystem role. A principal task is to explore pattern and process in lichen epiphyte diversity – species composition and richness – therefore demonstrating the utility of lichens as an ecological model system. The review examines key themes in previous research. First, the extensive literature used to resolve species response to, and community turnover along environmental/resource gradients, consistent with the habitat niche. Second, the evidence for dispersal-limitation, which may constrain community composition and richness in isolated habitats. Third, these two processes – the habitat niche and dispersal-limitation – are used to explain stand-scale diversity, in addition to the role of neutral effects (habitat area). Fourth, the review moves from a taxonomic (pattern) to a functional (process) perspective, considering evidence for autogenic succession evidenced by competition and/or facilitation, and non-random trends in life-history traits. This functional approach provides a counter-point to an assumption that lichen epiphyte communities are unsaturated and non-competitive, a situation which would allow the long-term accumulation of species richness with temporal continuity. Finally, the review explores landscape-scale impacts on lichen epiphytes, with recommendations for conservation.

Lichen epiphyte diversity: A species, community and trait-based review

Since the mid-1990s, it has been common practice to leave trees for biodiversity purposes when clear-cutting in Finland, Norway and Sweden, and regulations for such tree retention are today included in national legislation and certification standards. Peer-reviewed research publications on tree retention from studies performed in the three countries were analyzed and about 50 relevant biodiversity studies were found, with the first published in 1994. Most studies were directed towards beetles and dead wood, especially high stumps. General conclusions were that retention trees (1) provide some of the substrate types required by early-successional species, (2) alleviate the most serious consequences of clear-cutting on biota, and (3) cannot maintain characteristics of intact mature forests. Larger volumes and more trees tend to maintain diversity better. There is a particular lack of studies on dispersal, landscape effects and long-term dynamics. There is a need to study further the relationship be...

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/02827581.2010.497495

Tree retention as a conservation measure in clear-cut forests of northern Europe: a review of ecological consequences

Critical forest age thresholds for the diversity of lichens, molluscs and birds in beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) dominated forests

Retention patches as potential refugia for bryophytes and lichens in managed forest landscapes

High occurrence of red-listed bryophytes and lichens in mature managed forests in boreal Sweden

In Sweden ca. 20 000 ha forestland is fertilised each year. By using red-listed and ‘signal’ bryophytes and lichens as indicators, we investigated whether forest stands planned for fertilisation ha ...

Biodiversity value of potential forest fertilisation stands, as assessed by red-listed and 'signal' bryophytes and lichens

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Retention patches as potential refugia for bryophytes and lichens in managed forest landscapes

High occurrence of red-listed bryophytes and lichens in mature managed forests in boreal Sweden

Biodiversity value of potential forest fertilisation stands, as assessed by red-listed and 'signal' bryophytes and lichens