Sustainable forest management of Natura 2000 sites: a case study from a private forest in the Romanian Southern Carpathians

Authors

  • Helge Walentowski Bavarian State Institute of Forestry, Hans- Carl-v.-Carlowitz-Platz 1, 85354 Freising, Germany
  • E.D. Schulze Max-Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, PO Box 100164, 07701 Jena, Germany
  • Marius Teodosiu Forest Research and Management Institute, Calea Bucovinei 73b, 725100 Câmpulung Moldovenesc, România
  • O. Bouriaud Forest Research and Management Institute, Calea Bucovinei 73b, 725100 Câmpulung Moldovenesc, România
  • A. von Heßberg Theta 28, 95463 Bindlach
  • H. Bußler Bavarian State Institute of Forestry, Hans- Carl-v.-Carlowitz-Platz 1, 85354 Freising, Germany
  • L. Baldauf Görmer & Baldauf GmbH, Am Kirchberg 6a, Burkersdorf, 07570 Harth-Pöllnitz, Germany
  • I. Schulze Max-Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, PO Box 100164, 07701 Jena, Germany
  • J. Wäldchen Max-Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, PO Box 100164, 07701 Jena, Germany
  • R. Böcker University of Hohenheim, Institute of Landscape and Plant Ecology, Germany
  • S. Herzog Dr. Ion Ratiu 9, 550012 Sibiu/Hermannstadt, România
  • W. Schulze University of Hohenheim, Dept. of Plant Systems Biology, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15287/afr.2013.57

Keywords:

Natura 2000, Integrated Forest Management, Fagus, Picea, Romania, Fagaras, Boisoara

Abstract

Biodiversity and forest management are analyzed for a 500 ha privately owned forest within the Natura 2000 area ROSCI0122 Muntii Fagaras. Habitat types and indicator species are identified to measure environmental quality. Working towards an integrated approach to conservation, a range of options that will result in sustainable forest management are then considered. For beech forests light heterogeneity emerges as a crucial management target to ensure tree species richness and structural diversity as a basis for saving indicator species such as Morimus funereus, Cucujus cinnaberinus, Bolitophagus reticulatus and Xestobium austriacum. For spruce forests thinning over a broad range of diameters and maintenance of veteran trees would provide habitats for indicator species such asOlisthaerus substriatus. The populations of a number of bird species would be increased by strip-harvesting slopes: species such as Tetrao urogallus, Bonasia bonasia and Ficedula parva prefer forest margins. Steep slopes, and the areas around springs and watercourses, as well as rock faces, should remain unmanaged. Future management should start with a grid-based inventory to create an objective database of forest structure and life. An example is presented for high-elevation spruce forest. The inventory should quantify the variations in diameter, height and volume of trees per unit area. Such data would allow the advanced planning of forest operations. We discuss a wide range of administrative and organizational changes; changes that are needed for the sustainable forest management of the vast close-to-natural forests of the Muntii Fagaras, the maintenance of the Nardusgrasslands and the protection of wetland vegetation around springs and streams in this Natura 2000-area. 

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Published

2013-03-20

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Section

Research article