The identification of key habitat elements and structures is a crucial pre-requisite for the integration of biodiversity conservation aspects into commercial forest management.
Forest managers are often not trained to identify these elements and structures supporting species diversity. They may simply lack the abilities for recognition and assessment or how to consider them both in forestry operations and planning procedures.
Recent scientific findings are entering many practical approaches for integrative conservation measures throughout Europe. Such practical approaches accompanied by science represent a pool of good practice examples.
Therefore the INTEGRATE+ project seeks to
- identify
- establish
- develop
a network of demonstration sites covering a broad range of selected European forest types where different integrative measures are being practiced.
The demonstration sites include selected sites for field visits and excursions for a wider audience, as well as permanent plots based on the French Marteloscope (M-scope) approach. M-scopes are 1 hectare forest plots in which tree measurements and innovative software for hand held devices are linked to provide a framework for in-forest training. That includes for example the marking and selection of trees and identification of habitat structures. Results of the exercise can then be instantly visualised on a tablet computer or laptop in the stand and thus serve as input for stimulating discussions in the field.