Is the impact of loggings in the last primeval lowland forest in Europe underestimated? The conservation issues of Białowieża Forest

Effective mitigation of conservation conflicts and participatory governance: reflections on Kuboń et al.

“…Scientific evidence, including the assessment of recent interventions (Mikusiński et al. ), overwhelmingly confirms negative impacts of salvage logging on ecosystems (Lindenmayer et al. ).…”

“…Mikusiński et al. () estimated that at least 675 ha of forest were logged during this intervention, more than 229 ha of which were stands >100 years old. Almost 300 ha of forest were logged in the UNESCO zone 3 (most valuable forest stands outside reserves) and an additional 8.1 ha in zone 2 (nature reserves), which is against UNESCO regulations (UNESCO ).…”

“…The ecological impact is likely to extend, both in space and time, far beyond these recent logging activities (>4073 ha of forest affected) and significantly increase fragmentation (Mikusiński et al. ). The intervention also affected sensitive Natura 2000 habitats, violating Protective Tasks for the Natura 2000 site (RDOŚ ).…”

“…This intervention was also strongly opposed by NGOs and conservation scientists in Poland and worldwide, who challenged its legality and scientific soundness (Chylarecki & Selva 2016;SCB 2016;Schiermeier 2016;Konarzewski et al 2018). Mikusiński et al (2018) estimated that at least 675 ha of forest were logged during this intervention, more than 229 ha of which were stands >100 years old. Almost 300 ha of forest were logged in the UNESCO zone 3 (most valuable forest stands outside reserves) and an additional 8.1 ha in zone 2 (nature reserves), which is against UNESCO regulations (UNESCO 2018).…”

“…Almost 300 ha of forest were logged in the UNESCO zone 3 (most valuable forest stands outside reserves) and an additional 8.1 ha in zone 2 (nature reserves), which is against UNESCO regulations (UNESCO 2018). The ecological impact is likely to extend, both in space and time, far beyond these recent logging activities (>4073 ha of forest affected) and significantly increase fragmentation (Mikusiński et al 2018). The intervention also affected sensitive Natura 2000 habitats, violating Protective Tasks for the Natura 2000 site (RDOŚ 2015).…”