Invertebrate biodiversity, forestry and emulation of natural disturbance: A down-to-earth perspective

A fire-based conceptual model of forest spatial dynamics is widely embraced as the way to make boreal forest management more ecologically friendly and to conserve biodiversity. However, use of the term "ecosystem based manage ment" does not automatically confer either wisdom or naturalness to resourc e management tactics. We examine the logical structure of recently invoked arguments and summarize recent work to determine whether this conceptual mo del is necessary, sufficient and adequately developed to generate specific tactics for management of the western boreal forest. In particular, we show that biotic elements involved in both the early phases of natural successi on and in the breakdown of coarse woody material will be at risk if only la ndscape level processes like the large-scale spatial dynamics of wildfire a re considered in mangement. Development of complex stand structure associat ed with gap dynamic processes that are characteristic of post-rotational ag e forest should be accommodated in extensive forest management to conserve the biota and the processes that ensure long-term maintenance of site produ ctivity. We preview developing efforts under the Canadian EMEND project to understand how the situation might be improved.