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| The biodiversity value of production forests is substantially lower than that of natural forests. This is
related to differences in hydrology, stand age and amounts of old trees and deadwood. Using a predictive
model framework we show that restoring hydrology and old-growth characteristics in a forest formerly
managed for timber extraction results in changes to forest composition and structure, ultimately increasing
its biodiversity value.
We inventoried biodiversity and stand variables in 102 sample plots in a temperate mixed broadleaved
forest, which is in focus of a LIFE+ programme aiming to restore hydrology and old-growth structure. We
collected presence/absence data for four organism groups (vascular plants, epiphytic bryophytes and
lichens, wood-inhabiting fungi) and measured environmental variables associated with species occurrence
and influenced by restoration (dead or living tree characteristics, stand age, water level). We investigated
biodiversity consequences of restoration towards pristine environmental characteristics by using
a space-for-time substitution model. We evaluated how and through what mechanisms species richness
is likely to react when pre-forestry hydrological conditions and old-growth structures are restored.
The model results show that reversing the effects of a long history of management for timber extraction
increased availability of suitable habitat, and hence the local species richness for three of four of the
organism groups, compared to the pre-restoration conditions. Furthermore, the increase in soil moisture
shifted the forest plots towards an alder carr, while the stand ageing process sustained the shade-tolerant
beech despite its low tolerance for high soil humidity. Our prediction shows an increase in species richness
for plants directly driven by the restoration of natural water level, and for fungi as an indirect effect
of a change in suitable substrate availability. Lichens responded positively to both processes. Plants stabilized
their richness levels earlier than tree-dwelling organisms, as water level recovered faster than oldgrowth
structures. The projection of stable bryophytes richness values under restoration is potentially
biased by their lower diversity and more limited affiliation to forest structural variation than other
groups.
We suggest applying our space-for-time approach as a tool to assess forest and biodiversity responses
in similar restoration projects involving management actions of open-ended habitat creation, promoting
development of natural processes in the long-term. This modelling tool turns to be especially relevant in
dynamic habitats where the outcomes for biodiversity are uncertain. | |
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