Dynamics and Adaptation of Natural Forests to Climate Change

Background/motivation

Goals

Methods

The four work packages (WP1-4, Fig. 2) will answer the following questions:

• What is the significance of NFD areas for forest management and climate change research?
  
• Can findings from unmanaged forests support the adaptation of managed forests to climate change and, if yes, to what extent?
  
• How do conclusions differ by site and forest types?
  
• Do effects of recent extreme events on forest growth, structure and biodiversity differ between NFD and managed forests?
  
• Are NFD more resilient towards climate chnage than managed forests?
  
• Which requisites of NFD (deadwood, biotope trees, gaps) increase resistance and resilience of forest stands and can contribute to the stabilisation of managed forests?
  
• What is the contribution of disturbances to biodiversity, in particular of insects (in the context of "insect decline"), and how should disturbances be managed with regard to biodiversity?
  

In WP5 results will be synthesized and discussed with forest managers and stakeholders in a workshop. The scientific results can form the basis of climate adaptation strategies for managed forests as well as of concrete recommendations for forest management. This concerns the magement intensity and resilience of forests (improved climate adaptation by requisites from natural forests) and the handling of biotic and abiotic disturbances (intensity of salvage logging, reforestation and successsion with/without planting). The range of the study transect from the lowlands to the subalpine belt will allow a differentation by climatic conditions and forest types. Finally, these recommendations will bei discussed and refined in a second, concluding workshop with practitioners and stakeholders.