Can “Closer-to-Nature” Forest Management Sustain Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in an Uncertain Future? Lessons from Central Europe

Research output: Contribution to journal › Research article › Contributed › peer-review

Contributors

  • Ana Stritih - , University of Freiburg, Technical University of Munich (Author)
  • Judit Lecina-Diaz - , Technical University of Munich (Author)
  • Johannes Mohr - , Technical University of Munich (Author)
  • Christian Schattenberg - , Technical University of Munich (Author)
  • Christian Ammer - , University of Göttingen (Author)
  • Nicolò Anselmetto - , University of Turin (Author)
  • Jürgen Bauhus - , University of Freiburg (Author)
  • Andrej Bončina - , University of Ljubljana (Author)
  • Matteo Garbarino - , University of Turin (Author)
  • Tomáš Hlásny - , Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (Author)
  • Marcus Lindner - , European Forest Institute (Author)
  • Emanuele Lingua - , University of Padua (Author)
  • Eva Knific - , Stritih Sustainable Development Consulting (Author)
  • Kirsten Krüger - , Technical University of Munich (Author)
  • Davide Marangon - , University of Padua (Author)
  • Donato Morresi - , Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (Author)
  • Katarina Mulec - , Stritih Sustainable Development Consulting (Author)
  • Thomas A. Nagel - , University of Ljubljana (Author)
  • Maria Potterf - , Technical University of Munich, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (Author)
  • Jernej Stritih - , Stritih Sustainable Development Consulting (Author)
  • Dominik Thom - , Chair of Silviculture (Author)
  • Daan Welling - , Stritih Sustainable Development Consulting (Author)
  • Rupert Seidl - , Technical University of Munich, Berchtesgaden National Park (Author)

Abstract

Purpose of Review: Forests produce timber, mitigate climate change and provide important habitats; yet their capacity to provide these services under rapid global change is uncertain. “Closer-to-nature” forest management (CNFM) has been proposed by the EU Forest Strategy as a way to reconcile competing demands on forests while enhancing their resilience, but experiences with its implementation remain limited. We synthesized expert knowledge about CNFM in Central Europe, a region with a history of diverse forest management practices that has recently experienced severe impacts of climate change. We used a two-stage Delphi approach (including a questionnaire and a workshop) with experts in forest ecology and management to find a consensus about the effects of specific CNFM tools, and to identify knowledge gaps, barriers, and good practice examples of CNFM. Recent Findings: A wider implementation of CNFM is likely to benefit biodiversity and ecosystem services under climate change, with only one clear trade-off identified between setting areas aside and wood production. However, limited empirical evidence exists for many of the expected effects. Substantial obstacles hinder the implementation of CNFM, including administrative constraints, social barriers, and gaps in knowledge and education. Nonetheless, we identified numerous successful cases of CNFM implementation from local to national scales in Central Europe. Summary: CNFM is viewed as a potent strategy to navigate future social and ecological uncertainties, including large-scale disturbances. However, the implementation of CNFM should be adapted to the local context and ensure landscape-scale heterogeneity. Existing good practices could serve as examples for mainstreaming CNFM in Central Europe and beyond.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number1
JournalCurrent Forestry Reports
Volume12
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2026
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0001-8091-6075/work/225495776

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • Climate change, Forest adaptation, Forest policy, Good practices, Natural disturbance, Sustainable forest management