CONSEQUENCES FROM THE RESULTS OF RESEARCH ON DEAD WOODY MATERIAL FOR FORESTRY PRACTICE

Through a combination of differently sized forest reserves where no timber cutting takes place (national parks, natural forest reserves, and forested nature protection areas) on the one hand, and nature-oriented forestry practices on all forest land on the other, requests by nature conservation for an increase of the proportion of dead woody material in the forest can be accomodated. The most important objectives of nature conservation policies can be achieved by a contribution of maximal 2 % of the total public forest area for this purpose, provided optimal conditions prevail. On commercial forest land, a long-term increase of the proportion of dead woody material from presently 1-3 to 5-10 cubic meters per hectare (i.e. 1-2 % of the standing volume) is possible and can be justified. It is important, however, that one-half each of the dead timber remains standing, and consists of trees larger than 20 cm in diameter, respectively. Although dead spruce trees provide a habitat for approximately 300 xylo-biont species, aspects of forest protection risks (seasonal occurrence) have to be considered if such trees are left standing. Admixed soft hardwoods in the forest and avenues lined with trees lacking proper care may contribute to the proportion of dead woody material. In order to realize this, it is important to make the forest visitor understand the importance of such dead woody material in the forest.