Sustainability in Forest Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity Conservation

Dear Colleagues,

The scope of this Special Issue includes themes such as effect of sustainable forestry on biodiversity conservation, protection of endangered species and wildlife management. Its purpose is to enable researchers to share results of their studies, which would boost interest in forestry management by shedding light on the practices of harvesting woodland resources, such as timber, wildlife, berries, mushrooms and herbs. This is important as such resources do not threaten the existence of a forest’s biodiversity (birds, insects and flowering plants), including endangered and key species, game animals, invertebrate fauna, mushrooms and plants. The focus of this Special Issue is also on bioindicators (e.g., woodpeckers, xylophagous beetles, and lichens) of forest environment quality.

(1) Introduction, including scientific background and highlighting the importance of this research area.

Forests are plant formations where trees, growing in a high density, constitute a dominant component. They are the largest biome in the world, occupying about 30% of Earth’s surface. Forests are among the most valued natural resources and should thus be maintained sustainably for future generations. Forests play a vital role in ecosystems, nature conservation and human economy.  In many countries in South America, Africa, South-East Asia and Oceania, the forest surface is quickly shrinking, being converted into agricultural lands, human settlements, roads, etc. (timber, game animals, berries, mushrooms). In North America and Europe, forests are apparently sustainably managed, especially in countries where their surface has been reduced to merely a few percent. However, even in these countries, not enough attention is paid to preserve biodiversity in forests. For instance, not enough of the forest surface is designed for nature reserves and national parks, no programs are implemented for the protection of endangered species, and game animals are not rationally managed. Moreover, the impact of forest management on biodiversity (especially insects, mushrooms and plants) is still poorly investigated. Therefore, we need carry out sustainable forestry interventions to balance ecological, social and economic demands for forest resources, such as timber, fuel, wildlife, berries, herbs, mushrooms, and honey, with a management plan that will keep forest healthy, allowing future generations to use the same resources.

(2) Aim of the Special Issue and how the subject relates to the journal scope.

The aim of this Special Issue is to provide an advanced forum for studies on biodiversity conservation in sustainably managed forests throughout the world.  This conforms with objectives of the Sustainability journal through themes such as sustainable wildlife management, nature conservation, and impact of forest management on biodiversity conservation. 

(3) Suggest themes.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Wildlife management and biodiversity conservation;
• Sustainable forestry, insect diversity and pest management;
• The role of insects in forest protection;
• Bioindicators of forest environment quality;
• Sustainable forestry and plant and mushroom protection;
• The role of dendrological gardens in sustainable forestry and biodiversity conservation;
• Sustainable forestry and protection of endangered species;
• Human–wildlife conflicts and sustainable forestry. 

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Grzegorz Kopij
Dr. R.A. Makhado
Guest Editors

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• nature conservation
• biodiversity
• forest protection
• wildlife management
• forest botany
• animal ecology