Key Performance Indicators – Biodiversity in Production Forests
Project overview
Participants
More related research
Short summary
The project Key Performance Indicators (KPI) examines how biodiversity in production forests can be effectively measured, evaluated, and monitored through scientifically robust and cost-efficient indicators.
Retention forestry, where living and dead trees are left at harvest, is a widely used conservation practice in northern Europe. However, its long-term effects on biodiversity are still not fully understood. The KPI project compares retention patches, clearcuts, and set-asides to assess how forest structure and management influence biodiversity across multiple taxa, from lichens and fungi to bryophytes and beetles.
By combining ecological field data, biodiversity surveys, and statistical analyses, the project aims to identify which indicators best reflect forest biodiversity and how these can be applied in sustainable forest management.
More specific research areas
Long-term effects of retention forestry
The project explores 30-year effects of retention forestry on biodiversity compared to both clearcuts and uncut forests. We focus on structural and compositional differences and their ecological consequences.
Forest structure and patch characteristics
We examine whether larger and more structurally diverse retention patches are more effective in conserving biodiversity. Variables such as deadwood amount, tree species composition, and microclimate are key components.
Identifying biodiversity KPIs
A central aim is to determine the most informative and cost-effective Key Performance Indicators for biodiversity in production forests. Potential indicators include deadwood volume, habitat heterogeneity, and species community composition.
Comparing indicators across forest types and taxa
We evaluate whether the same indicators apply to different forest types, regions, and species groups—or if biodiversity monitoring needs to be tailored to specific conditions.
Collaboration and impact
The KPI project is a collaboration between SLU, the Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE), Uppsala University, and Stora Enso, with contributions from researchers across ecology, forest management, and conservation science.
By identifying practical yet scientifically grounded indicators, the project provides tools for forest companies, authorities, and policymakers to evaluate how well biodiversity objectives are met in managed forests.
Results from the KPI project contribute directly to the development of evidence-based sustainability metrics, supporting Sweden’s and the EU’s goals for sustainable forestry and biodiversity-positive production landscapes.
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