Ecological Connectivity of Forest Ecosystems

This is an open access book. This professional volume provides scientific background and practical guidance on forest management in light of ecological connectivity. Readers will gain a great understanding of shifting species in response to climate change and the resulting loss of various resources. The main drivers of these variations are the quality of the availability, quantity, and quality of habitats in the landscape, the genetic diversity of species populations, and the ability to navigate through a fragmented landscape matrix. The connectivity of habitats is gaining importance in the combat of both, the biodiversity crisis and the climate change crisis.

Improving ecological connectivity, however, does not automatically benefit all species, as the examples described in the book demonstrate. Specific planning tools, active monitoring protocols, and management measures are needed to increase the benefit for species with low dispersal and small population size, which generally fail to migrate. Assisted migration can help to prevent species extinction, but also offer opportunities for pathogens to cross geographical barriers.   

The vast majority of the known diversity of plants, fungi, vertebrates, and invertebrates depends on forest ecosystems. This volume helps to spread this message and prepare students for their later careers in the forestry sector, while also informing active practitioners and policy makers.

Katharina Lapin is the head of the Department for Forest Biodiversity and Nature Conservation at the Austrian Research Centre for Forests (BFW). She holds a PhD in Landscape Planning and Landscape Architecture from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna. She has made significant contributions to forest biodiversity management, vegetation science, invasion biology, and biodiversity conservation through over 30 publications and participation in more than 20 research projects. Dr. Lapin is dedicated to translating scientific results into practical applications, particularly in conservation and restoration programs. She is actively involved in international collaboration and multidisciplinary networks, including the European Network for Environmental Citizenship, the IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group, and as the Austrian Focal Point for the Forest Invasive Species Network for Europe and Central Asia (REUFIS). She volunteers as an environmental consultant and educator and regularly engages in lectures and workshops to facilitate knowledge transfer. Her primary scientific motivations include assessing and promoting forest biodiversity, particularly in the context of climate change. Dr. Lapin is passionate about restoration efforts for forest-related biodiversity and ecosystem services and enjoys the challenges of international, multilingual collaboration. Her extensive expertise and experience make her an ideal editor for a book on the Ecological Connectivity of Forest Ecosystems. Her vision for the book focuses on enhancing understanding and communication, fostering transnational cooperation, and facilitating knowledge transfer to increase connectivity, aligning with her broader goals of improving conservation efforts and ensuring the sustainability of forest ecosystems globally.

Janine Oettel is the head of the Forest Biodiversity Unit at the Department of Forest Biodiversity and Nature Conservation at the Austrian Research Centre for Forests (BFW). She holds a PhD in Biology from the University of Vienna and has a strong background in forestry and nature conservation. Her research primarily focuses on forest-dwelling species and their habitats in the context of climate change, including deadwood, tree-related microhabitats, and other forest structures. She emphasizes the critical importance of these structures for biodiversity and conservation. Janine Oettel’s expertise includes modeling the abiotic, biotic, and anthropogenic influences on forest-dwelling species and forest structures. Her doctoral thesis on the characteristics and dynamics of deadwood under forest management and climate change earned her the Stefan M. Gergely Award for Outstanding Dissertations in Environmental, Nature and Species Conservation. Since 2021, Dr. Oettel has led the Austrian stepping stone program, dedicated to the nationwide establishment and investigation of stepping stones in forests. This program aims to enhance habitat connectivity and promote biodiversity conservation across the country. Her practical experience and innovative research make her an ideal editor for this book.

Martin Braun is an environmental data analyst at the Austrian Research Centre for Forests (BFW) with substantiated experience in forest sector modelling, natural hazards modelling, forest economics and forest ecology. For eight years Martin Braun worked on analyses relating to market and market dynamics in the forest-based sector. His research focussed on carbon dynamics and the analysis of economic interactions between different sectors of the wood products market. During his work, he made important contributions to the national greenhouse gas inventory and to the development of indicators and stylised facts on the forest-based sector. He has been working as an environmental data analyst at BFW’s Institute for Forest Biodiversity and Nature Conservation for three years. There, he has contributed to research on deadwood dynamics, the role of deadwood-dwelling/decomposing insects and the role of non-native trees in the Alpine space. His main areas of research are forest sector modelling with a focus on forest sector carbon budgets and flows as well as modelling market dynamics regarding harvested wood products; deadwood dynamics and forest biodiversity, rapid biodiversity assessment, and biodiversity indicators. Martin complements the editorial team through his interdisciplinary qualifications and years of experience working in Northern and Central Asia.

Heino Konrad, PhD, is the head of the Unit for Ecological Genetics at the Department of Forest Biodiversity and Nature Conservation at the Austrian Research Centre for Forests (BFW). With nearly two decades of extensive research experience, he has established himself as a leading expert in in situ and ex situ conservation strategies for forest tree species. His scholarly pursuits have led him to investigate the population history, genetic diversity, and gene flow patterns of tree species across four continents. He has made significant contributions to the field through more than 30 major peer-reviewed publications. In addition to his academic achievements, Heino Konrad is instrumental in the practical implementation of conservation measures in Austria. He oversees the establishment and management of gene conservation forests (in situ) and gene conservation seed orchards (ex situ), ensuring the preservation of genetic diversity within forest ecosystems. Heino Konrad is the national coordinator for Austria of the EUFORGEN network and FAO working group on forest genetic resources. A significant focus of his current research is the provision of forest reproductive material to align with the European Green Deal's objectives for climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation and restoration. Heino Konrad's research emphasizes the critical importance of maintaining connectivity among populations of forest-dwelling organisms. He conducts genetic studies to monitor the impacts of habitat fragmentation, providing invaluable insights into the long-term survival and adaptability of these species. His comprehensive understanding of ecological genetics and practical conservation applications makes him an ideal candidate to co-edit this volume, bringing both academic rigor and practical expertise to the project.