Red-listed boreal forest species of Finland : associations with forest structure, tree species, and decaying wood

Abstract

Using data from expert assessments, we classified the habitat and resource requirements of red-listed boreal forest species in Finland. All major taxa were included and represented by 466 species. Of the four major groups studied, red-listed Plantae & Fungi and Aphyllophorales were mainly inhabitants of shady coniferous forests, whereas the habitats used by Animalia and Coleoptera were more diverse. Of the boreal tree species, Picea abies harbours the greatest number of red-listed species, but Pinus sylvestris and Populus tremula host almost as many. The proportion of critically endangered species is highest on Populus. Our results emphasise the importance of dead wood and the conservation value of natural early successional forest habitats in addition to old-growth natural forests. Red-listed forest species are a highly heterogeneous group in their habitat and resource requirements, and this has to be taken into consideration in conservation and when seeking for cost-efficient conservation measures.