PRESERVING ECOLOGICAL DIVERSITY IN BOREAL FORESTS - ECOLOGICAL BACKGROUND, RESEARCH, AND MANAGEMENT

Constrasting views are held about the possibility of developing ecolog ically sustainable forestry in northern boreal forests, the taiga. For esters tend to be optimistic, but they evaluate 'sustainability' on th e sole basis of timber production, whereas some environmentalists expr ess very pessimistic views. The conflict can be resolved on substantia l arguments, backed by ecological data. I review ecological characteri stics of the taiga and the consequences of modem forest management for the forest fauna, particularly in northwestern Europe. Uniform 'monoc ulture' would be disastrous for a majority of forest species, but it i s, fortunately, impossible to attain: heterogeneity in forest vegetati on and stand structure remains. This improves prospects of maintaining a diverse fauna in appropriately managed forests. Systematic surveys to detect patterns in abundance variation, and assessments of ecologic al conditions for population viability ('minimum requirements') of tar get species are urgent research priorities. The taiga seems to be a re silient ecological system, and the possibilities of modifying manageme nt practices such that they match forest dynamics seem good. I discuss recommendations drawing upon conclusions presented in other papers in this issue.