Towards repeated clear‐cutting of boreal forests – a tipping point for biodiversity?

• DOI: 10.1111/brv.13180
• Publication Date: 2025-01-15T04:39:29Z
• Authors: Lisa Fagerli Lunde; Tone Birkemoe; Anne Sverdrup‐Thy...; Johan Asplund; Rune Halvorsen; O. Janne Kjønaas; Jenni Nordén; Sundy Maurice; Inger Skrede; Line Nybakken; Håvard Kauserud
• Keywords: Tipping point (physics)

Boreal forests are important carbon sinks and host a diverse array of species that provide ecosystem functions. have long history intensive forestry, in which even-aged management with clear-cutting has been the dominant harvesting practice for past 50-80 years. As second cycle is emerging, there an urgent need to examine effects repeated events on biodiversity. Clear-cutting led reduced numbers old large trees, decreased volumes dead wood varied decay stages diameters, altered physical chemical compositions soils. The old-growth boreal forest fragmented considerably reduced. Here, we review short- long-term (≥50 years) biodiversity four key substrates: living wood, ground soil. We then assess landscape-level changes (habitat fragmentation edge effects) this There evidence community after several taxa: epiphytic lichens; saproxylic fungi, bryophytes insects; epigeic bryophytes; soil snails, bacteria, ectomycorrhizal fungi. Long-term declines richness were found true flies. However, majority taxa, not well understood. On landscape level, connectivity negative lichens, insects, notably among Red-Listed species. Furthermore, microclimate near clear-cut edges negatively affects lichens arthropods, implying complex habitat fragmentation. Repeated cycles might pose even stronger pressures due continued accumulation extinction debts. Examining broad forestry across biome crucial: (i) increase our knowledge former clear-cutting; (ii) gain better understanding how will affect and, subsequently, functioning, clear-cutting.