Natura 2000 Forest habitat types on secondary sites – conservation and management strategies

The EU Commission initiated the Natura 2000 Biogeographical Processes (BGP) as an approach to strengthen knowledge exchange and networking among Member states with regard to enhanced management of habitat types and species protected by the Habitats Directive. Many Member states are facing the challenge of conserving Annex I forest habitat types promoted by (former) human management activities, growing on sites with differing potential natural vegetation. Non-intervention and subsequent natural succession would lead to extensive losses of area of these habitat types.

For this reason, the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) conducted a workshop on this issue based on input and experience of experts from various countries and disciplines. One focus was on oak and oak-hornbeam forest habitat types in Germany and France with excursions to respective stands in the Bienwald (Germany) and the Northern Vosges (France). Other habitat types like lichen pine forests or chestnut woods was also been addressed. This volume presents the proceedings of this workshop.