The Influence of Various Silvicultural Treatments and Forest Operations on Tree Species Biodiversity

Abstract

Purpose of Review Biodiversity is one of the most important features of forest ecosystems. One of the goals of Sustainable Forest Management is to reduce biodiversity disturbance, which can occur as a consequence of timber harvesting. The aim of this review was to define which silvicultural systems and forest operations can have an influence on forest tree biodiversity by summarising the findings of nearly 60 papers published in the last ten years (2013–2022). Recent Findings In natural forest ecosystems characterised by a high level of structural complexity, such as uneven-aged tropical forests, selective logging and retention forestry are, in general, suitable forms of intervention that have a limited impact on tree biodiversity. Forest operations, in particular, should be of low intensity and try to simulate as much as possible small-scale natural disturbances. Thinning has proved to be a valid treatment for managing tree biodiversity. However, it is important to shape the magnitude of thinnings according to the management aims. Limited removal is recommended in interventions for maintaining the current structure, and more extensive removal is appropriate in cases when a change in species composition is expected, e.g. in the conversion of planted coniferous stands to uneven-aged mixed or broadleaved stands. In addition, coppicing is suitable for maintaining tree biodiversity due to its effectiveness in fostering the presence of light-demanding tree species. Findings show that it is important to establish the right rotation age, considering that an excessively short period between coppicing interventions can be detrimental to functional biodiversity. Skid trails and landing sites represent suitable areas for the initial establishment of natural regeneration. However, generally, the level of biodiversity on these sites declines with time as a consequence of soil compaction, thus highlighting the importance of the forest infrastructure network planning. Summary In uneven-aged tropical forests, selective logging and retention forestry are the most suitable options for maintaining tree biodiversity. Thinning and coppicing help to manage biodiversity, whilst intensive thinning helps to change species composition. Skid trails and landing sites can support natural regeneration. Recommendations and management options were developed, as well as possible future research directions. The authors recommend that future studies should investigate how much tree biodiversity depends on different levels of harvesting technology applied within the same silvicultural treatment.

A Meta‐analysis of the effects of ground‐based extraction technologies on fine roots in forest soils

“…For 58 of 217 couple comparisons in the database, we did not obtain data about the dispersion measure. Thus, we assessed the relationship between the standard deviation and the average values presented in our database to fulfil this gap (Latterini, Dyderski, et al, 2023; Pigott, 1994; Wiebe et al, 2006). Due to non‐linearity, we used a power model (Equation 1), after a log‐transformation to better handle a wide range of values in our dataset (Equation 2): where SD—standard deviation, M—mean, a and b—model parameters.…”

Forestry Insights of Some Asian and European Countries: National Forest Harvesting Strategies and New Approaches

“…Another form of damage in the forest is injury to the remaining trees in the stand and damage to young seedlings, which occur in selective cutting and shelterwood systems (Picchio et al, 2020b). The mechanization level in some cases can influence the damage magnitude species diversity but more other variables participate (Latterini et al, 2023). Some researchers have shown that mechanized harvesting damage on each of the vegetative groups of seedlings, juveniles, and saplings is more than semi-mechanized harvesting damages (Hosseini et al, 2002;Naghdi et al, 2009), however, in some other studies was showed the contrary (Stańczykiewicz et al, 2015) or founded like only matching machine/equipment type, size and deployment to stand and site conditions damage to regeneration can be limited (Picchio et al, 2020b).…”

Restoring soil properties in the Hyrcanian forests from machine induced compaction: Reforestation of N2‐fixing black alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.)

“…For example, forest soils reserve >40% of the total organic carbon (C) in terrestrial ecosystems and are thus important regulators of CO 2 on a global scale (Jourgholami, Fathi, & Labelle, 2020; Jourgholami, Khajavi, & Labelle, 2020; Wei et al, 2014). Timber harvesting normally causes a decrease in soil carbon stocks (DeArmond et al, 2021; Latterini et al, 2023; Mayer et al, 2020). In addition, mechanized harvesting and logs transported by ground‐based skidding machines can disturb forest soils and decrease periodically the productivity of the forest (Horn et al, 2004; Labelle et al, 2022; Venanzi et al, 2019).…”