Keeping pace with forestry Multi-scale conservation in a changing production forest matrix

• Published in: Ambio Vol. 49; no. 5; pp. 1050 - 1066
• Main Authors: Felton, Adam, Löfroth, Therese, Angelstam, Per, Gustafsson, Lena, Hjältén, Joakim, Felton, Annika M., Simonsson, Per, Dahlberg, Anders, Lindbladh, Matts, Svensson, Johan, Nilsson, Urban, Lodin, Isak, Hedwall, P. O., Sténs, Anna, Lämås, Tomas, Brunet, Jörg, Kalén, Christer, Kriström, Bengt, Gemmel, Pelle, Ranius, Thomas
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Science + Business Media 01-05-2020; Springer Netherlands; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Associated species; Atmospheric Sciences; Biodiversity; Biodiversity conservation; Climate change mitigation; Conservation; Conservation of Natural Resources; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecology; Environment; Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology; Environmental Management; Even-aged forestry; Forest conservation; Forest management; Forest Science; Forestry; Forests; Green-tree retention; Habitat loss; Physical Geography; Protected areas; REVIEW; Silviculture; Skogsvetenskap; Sustainable forestry; Sweden; Trees; Wildlife conservation; Sweden; Protected areas; Biodiversity conservation; Even-aged forestry; Climate change mitigation; Habitat loss; Green-tree retention
• ISSN: 0044-7447; 1654-7209; 1654-7209
• DOI: 10.1007/s13280-019-01248-0

The multi-scale approach to conserving forest biodiversity has been used in Sweden since the 1980s, a period defined by increased reserve area and conservation actions within production forests. However, two thousand forest-associated species remain on Sweden’s red-list, and Sweden’s 2020 goals for sustainable forests are not being met. We argue that ongoing changes in the production forest matrix require more consideration, and that multiscale conservation must be adapted to, and integrated with, production forest development. To make this case, we summarize trends in habitat provision by Sweden’s protected and production forests, and the variety of ways silviculture can affect biodiversity. We discuss how different forestry trajectories affect the type and extent of conservation approaches needed to secure biodiversity, and suggest leverage points for aiding the adoption of diversified silviculture. Sweden’s long-term experience with multi-scale conservation and intensive forestry provides insights for other countries trying to conserve species within production landscapes.