inventory and management planning. Nevertheless, the concept of near-natural
climate-plastic forest management in the region needs to be firmly supported by
site-adapted game management, a modern concept for managing deadwood as well
as nesting, cavity and biotope trees, the thoughtful use of forest machinery and
minimal impairments by other pressures and impacts such as pollution, land
consumption and biotope fragmentation.
16.6 Conclusion
The general evaluation of the sensitivity and vulnerability of forest habitat types of
Petermann et al. (2007) and Harley (2011) has been confirmed for the specific area
of the BR. Azonal and spruce-dominated forest habitat types are likely subject to
particularly drastic changes associated with climate change. We emphasise that
disturbances may not only have disastrous consequences for the habitat status but
also for the contribution of forest ecosystems to climate change mitigation. Options
for adaptation by management outside of the strictly protected BR core zone mainly
involve the restoration and water deregulation of bog areas and along streams in
favour of the forest habitat types 91D0 and 91E0 of the EU Habitat Directive.
The ecological gradient of the mixed mountain forest of the montane zone can be
ensured by the anticipatory establishment or promotion of site-adapted tree species
and structures. Vast areas of poorly structured spruce monocultures still need to be
converted into diverse, highly structured mixed stands. Structured forest edges,
Fig. 16.7 Current agreement on structure and site-adapted forest conversion of single-layer pure
coniferous forest stands within the BR. Classes of forest conversion priority (immediately, until
2020, after 2020) were assigned according to the initial situation and general consensus
16 Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Forest Habitats in the Biosphere. . .
255
climate-plastic forest management in the region needs to be firmly supported by
site-adapted game management, a modern concept for managing deadwood as well
as nesting, cavity and biotope trees, the thoughtful use of forest machinery and
minimal impairments by other pressures and impacts such as pollution, land
consumption and biotope fragmentation.
16.6 Conclusion
The general evaluation of the sensitivity and vulnerability of forest habitat types of
Petermann et al. (2007) and Harley (2011) has been confirmed for the specific area
of the BR. Azonal and spruce-dominated forest habitat types are likely subject to
particularly drastic changes associated with climate change. We emphasise that
disturbances may not only have disastrous consequences for the habitat status but
also for the contribution of forest ecosystems to climate change mitigation. Options
for adaptation by management outside of the strictly protected BR core zone mainly
involve the restoration and water deregulation of bog areas and along streams in
favour of the forest habitat types 91D0 and 91E0 of the EU Habitat Directive.
The ecological gradient of the mixed mountain forest of the montane zone can be
ensured by the anticipatory establishment or promotion of site-adapted tree species
and structures. Vast areas of poorly structured spruce monocultures still need to be
converted into diverse, highly structured mixed stands. Structured forest edges,
Fig. 16.7 Current agreement on structure and site-adapted forest conversion of single-layer pure
coniferous forest stands within the BR. Classes of forest conversion priority (immediately, until
2020, after 2020) were assigned according to the initial situation and general consensus
16 Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Forest Habitats in the Biosphere. . .
255