Resolving the trade-off between production and biodiversity conservation in integrated forest management: comparing tree selection practices of foresters and conservationists

• DOI: 10.1007/s10531-020-02046-x
• Publication Date: 2020-09-12T09:02:36Z
• Authors: Hannes Cosyns; Bettina Joa; Ronja Mikoleit; Frank Krumm; Andreas Schuck; Georg Winkel; Tobias Schulz
• Keywords: Complementarity (molecular biology); Tree (set theory); Wood production; Sustainable Forest Management

Abstract Integrating nature conservation effectively in forests managed for timber production implies reconciling a trade-off between ecological and economic objectives. In continuous cover forest management, this culminates decisions about tree harvesting (or retention) determining both the prevalence of tree-related microhabitats viability management. Applying an innovative mixed methods approach, we compare conservationists foresters performing selection exercise. We assess outcomes their management quantitatively explore strategies underlying reasoning based on qualitative data. Our findings show that particularly habitat trees differ greatly two groups: while retained almost exclusively large oaks at often high opportunity costs, notable number smaller-diameter hornbeams. These differences are related to different perception costs retention by groups, as well because they do not agree how value current projection into future. Such diverging patterns imply incompatible interpretations what constitutes tree. results indicate it is important apply benchmarks evaluating goals increase foresters’ conservationists’ understanding motivations restrictions respective counterpart. study points out significant potential (mutual) learning, illustrates complementarity quantitative research examine behaviour.