The LIFE SPAN marteloscopes. In: Forest management for saproxylic biodiversity. Guidelines from the LIFE SPAN project

This document provides practical guidelines for integrating biodiversity conservation into managed forests through the creation of Saproxylic Habitat Networks (SHN) and Saproxylic Habitat Sites (SHS). Developed within the LIFE SPAN project, the publication focuses on protecting saproxylic species that depend on deadwood, habitat trees, cavities, and forest microhabitats. It presents ecological principles, planning frameworks, and field-tested techniques such as girdling, pollarding, artificial cavities, basal slits, uprooting trees, creating deadwood, and forest gaps. The guide also describes monitoring methods for forest structure, biodiversity, insects, birds, bats, fungi, and ecosystem services, while assessing economic costs and benefits. Its overall aim is to enhance forest resilience, biodiversity, and ecosystem functioning while maintaining sustainable forest management and wood production.