Many studies carried out to find solutions to mitigate and adapt forest dynamics to climate change considered either climate smartness of forestry measures or the preservation of biodiversity, with great attention to the EU Natura 2000 Network. The aim of this review was the identification of forestry measures capable of concurrently fostering European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forests resilience in the context of climate change while maintaining their biodiversity level, with particular attention to the rear edge of the species range and on low altitude Natura 2000 Habitat type 9210* in the Mediterranean EU biogeographical region. Due to species vulnerability, these areas are of great interest for the identification of measures applicable elsewhere. The main article search was carried out on the Scopus database. The primary selection criterion was on studies about beech forest management that can fit the objectives of climate-smart forestry or increase biodiversity. Secondary selection criteria were the focus on uneven-aged silviculture, spatial structure, and on mixed forests as these are considered important management strategies. The initial dataset resulted in 1020 documents, of these 170 comply with the primary criterion. The application of secondary criteria to those yielded 9 showing enhanced biodiversity and decreasing competition pressure along with structure improvement, 44 on mixed forest with regard to growth, drought resistance, and carbon stocks and 7 relating uneven-aged silviculture to the improvement of stress resistance and recruitment, productivity, and stabilization. The latter two groups indicate contrasting effects on biodiversity. Untangling the causes of contrasting effects of climate smart and biodiversity-oriented measures, relating to context or to measure itself, is mandatory to find management solutions that can fit both objectives. The effectiveness of such harmonized measures will support future forest landscape modelling research.
Climate smart and biodiversity-oriented forestry for European beech at rear edge: Preliminary outcomes from a systematic review
Stefano Puccinelli
;Paola Mairota
2023-01-01
Abstract
Many studies carried out to find solutions to mitigate and adapt forest dynamics to climate change considered either climate smartness of forestry measures or the preservation of biodiversity, with great attention to the EU Natura 2000 Network. The aim of this review was the identification of forestry measures capable of concurrently fostering European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forests resilience in the context of climate change while maintaining their biodiversity level, with particular attention to the rear edge of the species range and on low altitude Natura 2000 Habitat type 9210* in the Mediterranean EU biogeographical region. Due to species vulnerability, these areas are of great interest for the identification of measures applicable elsewhere. The main article search was carried out on the Scopus database. The primary selection criterion was on studies about beech forest management that can fit the objectives of climate-smart forestry or increase biodiversity. Secondary selection criteria were the focus on uneven-aged silviculture, spatial structure, and on mixed forests as these are considered important management strategies. The initial dataset resulted in 1020 documents, of these 170 comply with the primary criterion. The application of secondary criteria to those yielded 9 showing enhanced biodiversity and decreasing competition pressure along with structure improvement, 44 on mixed forest with regard to growth, drought resistance, and carbon stocks and 7 relating uneven-aged silviculture to the improvement of stress resistance and recruitment, productivity, and stabilization. The latter two groups indicate contrasting effects on biodiversity. Untangling the causes of contrasting effects of climate smart and biodiversity-oriented measures, relating to context or to measure itself, is mandatory to find management solutions that can fit both objectives. The effectiveness of such harmonized measures will support future forest landscape modelling research.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
