Skip to main content
SLU publication database (SLUpub)

Review article2010Peer reviewed

Tree retention as a conservation measure in clear-cut forests of Northern Europe: a review of ecological consequences

Gustafsson Lena, Kouki Jari, Sverdrup-Thygeson Anne

Abstract

Since the mid-1990s, it has been common practice to leave trees for biodiversity purposes when clear-cutting in Finland, Norway and Sweden, and regulations for such tree retention are today included in national legislation and certification standards. Peer-reviewed research publications on tree retention from studies performed in the three countries were analyzed and about 50 relevant biodiversity studies were found, with the first published in 1994. Most studies were directed towards beetles and dead wood, especially high stumps. General conclusions were that retention trees (1) provide some of the substrate types required by early-successional species, (2) alleviate the most serious consequences of clear-cutting on biota, and (3) cannot maintain characteristics of intact mature forests. Larger volumes and more trees tend to maintain diversity better. There is a particular lack of studies on dispersal, landscape effects and long-term dynamics. There is a need to study further the relationship between the biota and the amount of trees, as well as their spatial arrangement. Retention trees should preferably be evaluated in relation to other components in multiscaled conservation, including woodland key habitats and larger protected areas.

Keywords

biodiversity; conservation concern; dead wood; green-tree retention; high stump; multiscaled; variable retention

Published in

Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research
2010, Volume: 25, number: 4, pages: 295-308

    Sustainable Development Goals

    SDG15 Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

    UKÄ Subject classification

    Forest Science
    Ecology
    Environmental Sciences related to Agriculture and Land-use

    Publication identifier

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02827581.2010.497495

    Permanent link to this page (URI)

    https://res.slu.se/id/publ/30864