Forestry and biodiversity in a European frame - from a German point of view

1. Forestry and biodiversity in a European frame - from a German point of view Robert Nörr, BDF Germany

2. Biodiversity - legislation European frame: Rio 1992 and following conferences National frame: Federal Nature conservation Act: Sustainability and Biodiversity Biodiversity is defined as > diversity of habitats > diversity of species > genetic diversity of a species State frame: e.g. Bavarian Forest Act (in discussion) Protection and promotion of biodiversity

3. Impact of forestry on biodiversity Impact of forestry on biodiversity – example: choice of tree species “Planting with spruce is not only a threat to most forest geophytes, but in most casesmeans certain extinction“ (Pfündel, Walter, Müller 2000, pg.134) “Pure spruce stands, alien to the site, usually exhibit relatively species poor coenoses, dominated by generalist species, and are not typical habitats (...). Therefore, (...) their conversion to mixed stands is important“ (Deutscher Rat für Landespflege 2004, pg. 17)

4. Impact of forestry on biodiversity – choice of tree species Facts: The potential natural vegetation in the southern parts of Germany: over 90% pure beech stands. Pure beech stands: The species richness (flora and fauna) is very low. Pure spruce stands: Often higher species richness than pure beech stands => Spruce better than beech?

5. 74 species missing below pure beech (‘Fi’ ) 36 species missing below pure overhead cover (‘Zwi’ ) 25 species missing below spruce (‘Bu’ ) 79 species found along gradient from pure beech to pure spruce stand (‘BuFi’ ) Spruce 100% Beech 100% N=37 N=117 N=18 Vascular plantsTotal: 214 species Middle Swabian Alb Graph adapted from Engelhard & Reif (2004)

6. Impact of forestry on biodiversity – choice of tree species • Spruce better than beech? • Depending on the • Kind of species: birds, snails, beetles or other species of the meso- and macrofauna need different habitats. • Examined habitat: forest soil, stem region, inside the canopy: results of species vary widely • e.g. 54 beetle species dependent on dead timer are extinct in Germany • No general conclusions possible • Does is mean we don`t have to consider biodiversity by forest management?

7. No consideration of biodiversity by forest management? • - Mixed stands have a higher diversity than monocultures • Establishing mixed stands (20–40 % broadleaved trees) - The change of structures provides a big variety of habitats • Promoting different types of stands, promoting the structures in a stand by selectiv thinning

8. No consideration of biodiversity by forest management? - Marginal soils have a low productivity but a high importance for endangered species => Extensive forest management on marginal soils - Many of the endangered species are dependent on dead timber and a higher quantity of light => Creating a network of unmanaged forest areas at a mutually operating combination of habitats and a balanced management of dead timber and micro-stuctures

9. Impact of forestry on biodiversity- Conclusions - Forestry is the only land use management you can consider as „close to nature“ Forest owners and forest industries have the obligation to produce timber because of its many advantages (CO2...). Forest owners and forest industries have also the obligation to preserve the biodiversity of the ecosystem „forest“.

10. Impact of forestry on biodiversity- Conclusions - Forest owners have to get a compensation from the government for their contribution to the „close to nature“land use management To reach that high standard of forestry more qualified foresters are needed for the management of the state forests and the consulting of private forest owners.

11. Impact of forestry on biodiversity Thank you for your attention And thank you to Dr. Stefanie Gärtner for all the informations and materials