Source: UNEP-WCMC Mapping of European Biologically Important Forests: concept and philosophy © Forest Task Force 2007
Method © Forest Task Force 2007
What are Biologically Important Forests? Integration and harmonisation Forest protected areas, eg national parks, nature reserves Fragments of forest areas being key elements of larger ecosystems functioning on the ladscape, region or larger levels, as biodiversity hotspots or ecological connectors (corridors). © Forest Task Force 2007
Special Protection Areas SPAs and Special Areas of Conservation SACs What are Biologically Important Forests? Fragments of forest areas being key elements of larger ecosystems functioning on the ladscape, region or larger levels, as biodiversity hotspots or ecological connectors (corridors). Forest protected areas, eg national parks, nature reserves Integration and harmonisation © Forest Task Force 2007
Special Protection Areas SPAs and Special Areas of Conservation SACs What are Biologically Important Forests? Fragments of forest areas being key elements of larger ecosystems functioning on the ladscape, region or larger levels, as biodiversity hotspots or ecological connectors (corridors). Integration and harmonisation Forest protected areas, eg national parks, nature reserves Important Bird Areas IBAs © Forest Task Force 2007
Important Bird Areas IBAs Special Protection Areas SPAs and Special Areas of Conservation SACs Forest protected areas, eg national parks, nature reserves High Conservation Value Forests (criteria HCV 1, 3-4 FSC) What are Biologically Important Forests? Fragments of forest areas being key elements of larger ecosystems functioning on the ladscape, region or larger levels, as biodiversity hotspots or ecological connectors (corridors). Integration and harmonisation © Forest Task Force 2007
High Conservation Value Forests (criteria HCV 1, 3-4 FSC) Important Bird Areas IBAs Special Protection Areas SPAs and Special Areas of Conservation SACs Forest protected areas, eg national parks, nature reserves What are Biologically Important Forests? Fragments of forest areas being key elements of larger ecosystems functioning on the ladscape, region or larger levels, as biodiversity hotspots or ecological connectors (corridors). Integration and harmonisation Biodiversity hotspots, Woodland Key Habitats © Forest Task Force 2007
Biodiversity hotspots, Woodland Key Habitats High Conservation Value Forests (criteria HCV 1, 3-4 FSC) Important Bird Areas IBAs Special Protection Areas SPAs and Special Areas of Conservation SACs Forest protected areas, eg national parks, nature reserves What are Biologically Important Forests? Fragments of forest areas being key elements of larger ecosystems functioning on the ladscape, region or larger levels, as biodiversity hotspots or ecological connectors (corridors). Integration and harmonisation Specific Project's criteria, eg referring to “future” or “potential” natural forests © Forest Task Force 2007
Biodiversity hotspots, Woodland Key Habitats High Conservation Value Forests (criteria HCV 1, 3-4 FSC) Important Bird Areas IBAs Special Protection Areas SPAs and Special Areas of Conservation SACs Forest protected areas, eg national parks, nature reserves What are Biologically Important Forests? Fragments of forest areas being key elements of larger ecosystems functioning on the ladscape, region or larger levels, as biodiversity hotspots or ecological connectors (corridors). Integration and harmonisation Specific Project's criteria, eg referring to “future” or “potential” natural forests © Forest Task Force 2007
Stage 1. Inventory of data on BIFs, eg over-mature stands, WKHs, Natura 2000 sites, national parks, nature reserves, IBAs, carried out on stand or compartment level. © Forest Task Force 2007
Levels I and II (stands and compartments) Inventory and mapping of BIFs © Forest Task Force 2007
Stage 2. Generalisation: Assessment of the BIFs concentration in larger, artificial spacial units, such as squares 500 x 500 m. © Forest Task Force 2007
Level III (eg 25-hectare squares) Generalisation © Forest Task Force 2007
Stage 3. Looking for a broader spatial context (landscape, country, region, Europe). © Forest Task Force 2007
Natural (functional) Forest Landscapes Biologically Important Forests © Forest Task Force 2007
Natural (functional) Forest Landscapes Biologically Important Forests © Forest Task Force 2007
Potential application: adaptive forest management © Forest Task Force 2007
Spatial analyses and modelling; decisions on conservation and management © Forest Task Force 2007
Preservation (including strict protection) © Forest Task Force 2007
Active protection (including restoration) © Forest Task Force 2007
Moderate use (such as continuous cover forestry) © Forest Task Force 2007
Intensive management (including clearcuts) © Forest Task Force 2007
Adaptation (necessary modification) of protection regimes and management practices Monitoring of management and protection effects on the level of functional forest landscapes Adaptive model of sustainable forest policy © Forest Task Force 2007