FORbEST partner brings old-growth forests in the spotlight
The EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 made a clear, straightforward commitment to nature strict protection and highlightedthat – as part of strictly protecting 10% of the EU terrestrial areas – “it will be crucial to define, map, monitor and strictly protect all the EU’s remaining primary and old-growth forests”. The International Conference on ‘Old-Growth Forests and Ancient Trees: A Treasure of Nature, Life and Culture’ (programme available here) – organised by Carabinieri, a FORbEST partner, was a breath of fresh air for forest conservation, where speakers and participants were genuinely interested in hearing each other with a view to generate shared knowledgeas opposed to defending their long-held beliefs.
The special focus of the EU on old-growth forests (OGF) does not come as a surprise, because these areas represent the benchmark for forest habitats that are resilient, diverse, mixed aged and includes a large amount of habitat trees with rotten wood and deadwood as well. Under the EU’s Green Deal, which is instrumental in order for signatory parties to achieve agreed goals under both UN CBD and UNFCCC, a number of EU policies relate directly or indirectly to the importance of identifying and protecting the last remaining OGF. Some of these policies are legislative requirements (eg. EUDR, NRR) and some are strategies committed to by member states through the Council of the European Union.
Unfortunately, the EU has lost most of its OGF and the largest remaining parts can be found in Finland, Sweden and central-eastern Europe. However, what most people would not expect, there are remnants even in the Mediterranean.
In Italy, Arma dei Carabinieri for Biodiversity, takes an inclusive approach to forest conservation. During the event, Carabinieri explained their constant practices to protect Italy’s natural heritage – including old-growth forests – from illegal logging or fires. Both can lead to the irreversible loss of these precious forests. During the conference, the participants learned about the most recent research results linked to the importance of old-growth forests. Let me highlight two out of the many interesting research results (a fuller summary of the key messages are available here):
Strictly protected Mediterranean forests can stay up to 2°C cooler during heat waves than managed ones, making passive restoration a key strategy to mitigate climate change in southern Europe (Solane et al here)
Multitaxonomic diversity peaked in landscapes composed of 60% unmanaged and 40% intensively managed forests (Duflot et al here)
The event was attended by seven FORbEST project partners and introduced the concept of the full spectrum of nature’s values – meaning not just its intrinsic values (because nature is magnificent and deserves to be protected), or instrumental values (because nature is useful to people and supplies goods and services), but also relational values (nature means something to us at a deeper level through our culture, spirituality and even religion). Ultimately, any form of conservation needs to embrace the full spectrum of nature’s values – not just intrinsic or instrumental, but most importantly relational – this is the pathway conservationists should use to engage people on forest protection and conservation. My presentation at the event, which included a short introduction to the FORbEST project, is available here
By Zoltan Kun – Stichting Wild Europe (Wild Europe), The Netherlands
