Asperulo-Fagetum. Although sessile oak (Quercus petraea Liebl.) is slowly
replacing European beech on water-deficient and poorer sites with milder climatic
conditions, not even high proportions of oak will cause a perceivable drift in the typical
species composition as long as the proportion of beech does not fall below 30 %.
16.4.3 Habitat Impairment Due to Invasive Species
All aspects of habitat impairment are of special relevance for the evaluation of forest
habitat types, because individual ratings are not averaged and the worst rating has a
direct impact on the overall rating. The gradually increasing occurrence of
non-typical plant species always results in a considerable downgrading of the habitat
status. Apart from known species like the Giant hogweed (Heracleum
mantegazzianum Somm. u. Lev.), European black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold), Hybrid
poplar (Populus x canadensis Moench), Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) and
Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis L.), other invasive species that may potentially become relevant for the BR due to climatic and pedological conditions include
the Japanese and the Giant knotweed (Fallopia japonica Houtt. and F. sachalinensis
(F. Schmidt) Ronse Decr.), Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera Royle) and
the Bigleaf lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus Lindl.). Although the occurrence of these
species is often restricted to forest edges and open areas, these locations may
function as initials for future large-scale dispersal. This is of particular importance
for alluvial forest habitats (91E0) where the spread of invasive plants, e.g., along the
riverbank, needs to be closely monitored and inhibited.
16.5 Habitat Development by Pro-active Forest Conversion
Regardless of the BR zoning concept and the designated Natura 2000 sites, structure and site-adapted forest conversion is also required from the perspective of
forest owners generating their income mainly from forestry (Fig. 16.7). This
approach follows the recommendations of the German Commission for UNESCO
(2011) to “intensify efforts to develop innovative approaches for climate change
[. . .] adaptation (including financing models), implement these approaches, [and]
adapt management plans.” Activities outside of the designated core and buffer area
focus on areas which were hitherto managed traditionally under a clearcut management system and are therefore characterised by single-layer stands with few
species and low conservational value. The decision-making scheme (cf. Fig. 16.4)
allowed for the identification of these forest areas at the level of individual stands in
cooperation with the stakeholders. Potential forest conversion areas located near
protected areas now need to be assessed with respect to options for habitat development and connectivity (see McComb 2008). To this purpose, the monitoring and
management of forest habitat types is an integral component of general forest
254
N. Frischbier et al.
replacing European beech on water-deficient and poorer sites with milder climatic
conditions, not even high proportions of oak will cause a perceivable drift in the typical
species composition as long as the proportion of beech does not fall below 30 %.
16.4.3 Habitat Impairment Due to Invasive Species
All aspects of habitat impairment are of special relevance for the evaluation of forest
habitat types, because individual ratings are not averaged and the worst rating has a
direct impact on the overall rating. The gradually increasing occurrence of
non-typical plant species always results in a considerable downgrading of the habitat
status. Apart from known species like the Giant hogweed (Heracleum
mantegazzianum Somm. u. Lev.), European black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold), Hybrid
poplar (Populus x canadensis Moench), Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) and
Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis L.), other invasive species that may potentially become relevant for the BR due to climatic and pedological conditions include
the Japanese and the Giant knotweed (Fallopia japonica Houtt. and F. sachalinensis
(F. Schmidt) Ronse Decr.), Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera Royle) and
the Bigleaf lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus Lindl.). Although the occurrence of these
species is often restricted to forest edges and open areas, these locations may
function as initials for future large-scale dispersal. This is of particular importance
for alluvial forest habitats (91E0) where the spread of invasive plants, e.g., along the
riverbank, needs to be closely monitored and inhibited.
16.5 Habitat Development by Pro-active Forest Conversion
Regardless of the BR zoning concept and the designated Natura 2000 sites, structure and site-adapted forest conversion is also required from the perspective of
forest owners generating their income mainly from forestry (Fig. 16.7). This
approach follows the recommendations of the German Commission for UNESCO
(2011) to “intensify efforts to develop innovative approaches for climate change
[. . .] adaptation (including financing models), implement these approaches, [and]
adapt management plans.” Activities outside of the designated core and buffer area
focus on areas which were hitherto managed traditionally under a clearcut management system and are therefore characterised by single-layer stands with few
species and low conservational value. The decision-making scheme (cf. Fig. 16.4)
allowed for the identification of these forest areas at the level of individual stands in
cooperation with the stakeholders. Potential forest conversion areas located near
protected areas now need to be assessed with respect to options for habitat development and connectivity (see McComb 2008). To this purpose, the monitoring and
management of forest habitat types is an integral component of general forest
254
N. Frischbier et al.