Pioneer tree species accelerate restoration of tree‐related microhabitats in 50‐year‐old reserves of Białowieża Forest, Poland

Pioneer tree species, such as Populus and Betula, accelerate the restoration of tree-related microhabitats (TreMs) more effectively than longer-lived, slower-growing species. A study comparing managed and set-aside stands in Białowieża Forest found that while strict protection did not significantly increase TreM abundance or richness at the stand level after 52 years, pioneer species developed TreMs faster due to their rapid growth and shorter lifespan. This suggests that incorporating these fast-growing trees into forest management strategies could enhance biodiversity conservation by expediting habitat restoration in intensively managed forests.

Spînu, A. P., Mysiak, W., Bauhus, J., Bielak, K., & Niklasson, M. (2023). Pioneer tree species accelerate restoration of tree‐related microhabitats in 50‐year‐old reserves of Białowieża Forest, Poland. Ecology and Evolution, 13(7). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10238