Scientists on the protection of forests in Europe: It is necessary to let nature act
Supporting natural renewal processes and reducing tree harvesting. These are the measures that should be taken to protect forests against the global warming impacts. On the initiative of Prof. Nuria Selva from the PAS Institute of Nature Conservation a group of researchers has written a letter to the Science magazine.
Three other authors are Prof. Przemysław Chylarecki (PAS Museum and Institute of Zoology), Prof. Bengt-Gunnar Jonsson (Mid Sweden University) and Prof. Pierre L. Ibisch (Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development).
Not only primary forests
The letter is a response to the European Union long-term plan for protecting nature and reversing the degradation of ecosystems. In May 2020, the EU has adopted its Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. According to the researchers, the proposed strategy overlooks the need for spatial coherence. It focuses excessively on conservation of primary forests, which represent only 0.7% of all forests in Europe. What’s more only 46% of the Europe’s oldest forests are strictly protected.
3 billion trees
However, the plan to restore forests by planting 3 billion trees raises the most doubts. This idea – although well received by the public – may be pointless. Some new species may in fact disturb the balance of existing ecosystems and undermine their functionality.
Creating more climate-resilient forests would require careful selection of species and prior study of how their presence would affect the environment. "Instead, it's worth looking closer at tree logging and how the wood is used afterwards. Wood becomes eco-waste too quickly, while we could successfully reuse it once again, give wood a second life," says Prof. Nuria Selva.
Nature can handle it
Researchers emphasize that the EU strategy should focus on developing a holistic approach to the protection of forests and their surroundings, and solutions that give nature a chance to adapt itself to progressive climate change. Natural forests – those that regenerate naturally without human intervention – have better potential to cope with the changing environmental conditions.
Tree planting programs, although well-received by the public, cannot replace wise forest management based on natural regulatory mechanisms.
Source of information: PAS Institute of Nature Conservation
Photo from the Białowieża Forest: Prof. Nuria Selva
