Abstract

Approximately 85% of the global forest estate is neither formally protected nor in areas dedicated to intensive wood production (e.g., plantations). Given the spatial extent of unprotected forests, finding management approaches that will sustain their multiple environmental, economic, and cultural values and prevent their conversion to other uses is imperative. The major global challenge of native forest management is further demonstrated by ongoing steep declines in forest biodiversity and carbon stocks. Here, we suggest that an essential part of such managementsupplementing the protection of large reserves and sensitive areas within forest landscapes (e.g., aquatic features)is the adoption of the retention approach in forests where logging occurs. This ecological approach to harvesting provides for permanent retention of important selected structures (e.g., trees and decayed logs) to provide for continuity of ecosystem structure, function, and species composition in the postharvest forest. The retention approach supports the integration of environmental, economic, and cultural values and is broadly applicable to tropical, temperate, and boreal forests, adaptable to different management objectives, and appropriate in different societal settings. The widespread adoption of the retention approach would be one of the most significant changes in management practice since the onset of modern high-yield forestry.

Keywords

Ecologically sustainable forest management; altered logging practices; forest biodiversity conservation; forest ecosystem processes; altered forest policy; ecological forestry

Published in

Conservation Letters
2012, Volume: 5, number: 6, pages: 421-431
Publisher: WILEY-BLACKWELL

SLU Authors

• Kiehl, Berrit

  • Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Gustafsson, Lena

  • Department of Conservation Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Associated SLU-program

Forest
Biodiversity
SLU Future Forests


Sustainable Development Goals

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns


UKÄ Subject classification

Environmental Sciences
Ecology


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1755-263X.2012.00257.x

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/41104