Integrative approaches

The positive or negative impacts of forest management practices and the question whether biodiversity in multi-functional forests can be better enhanced by integrative or segregative approaches are subjects of ongoing debate. Trade-offs between different interests and management objectives need to be examined. Forests are primarily used in their phase of economic maturity. Consequently, forests in late development, degradation, or complete stand breakdown phases are scarce. However, it is often these forest development phases that contain a rich diversity of niches and species. On the other hand, forests that have been managed over centuries, such as those in Europe, often harbour endangered species that would disappear under natural processes. It is therefore important to integrate biodiversity conservation into the management of commercial forests in order to provide suitable habitats for forest-dwelling species over the long term.

Current policy processes such as the negotiations on a European Forest Convention, the EU Forest Strategy and the EU Biodiversity Strategy, the discussions on sustainability criteria for biomass, and the guidance document for forestry in Natura 2000 areas demonstrate that there is the scope and need for further scientific guidance on these questions. The present publication presents the results of a research project of EFI-EFICENT, initiated by the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV) in 2011. Its task was to look into these questions on a Central European scale, i.e. beyond national borders, and provide answers that are helpful for policy and practice. In my view, it did a marvellous job of organizing cross-border scientific exchange among eminent researchers working on this subject, while also taking into account the experiences of practitioners and drawing the most up-to-date conclusions. I hope that the results of the project will inform and support relevant political processes and will stimulate both future discussions and further scientific work on the integration of biological biodiversity in forest management across sectors.