Photo: Schima
Biological Diversity in the Forest
A wide variety of individual and social demands are made on the forests. One such demand also relates to biological diversity.The international Convention on Biological Diversity of 1992, which was also ratified by Austria, defines this as “diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems”.
Biological diversity, with reference to both individuals and ecosystems, is of special importance for Austria’s forests. The very varied site and climate conditions of the forests, ranging from lowland regions to the mountains, have resulted in the development of forest communities with very different natural mixes of tree species. Even within a single species, there is a diversity of genetic information depending on the regions, altitudes and sites.Only forest ecosystems that are adapted to their site as naturally as possible can have the necessary vitality, and an optimal, sustainable, dynamic ability to adapt to forecast climate changes. However, if the climate changes too quickly, there are natural limits even to the adaptability of forest ecosystems. Semi-natural forest ecosystems are the contribution of forest management towards being able to fulfil the rural cultural functions for the human habitat sustainably. Thereby, the focus has shifted from sustainable wood production and the fulfilment of specific functions towards an ecologically sustainable management and utilisation of the forests. Biological diversity is an important element of a sustainable Austrian forest management.
02.04.2009,