Impacts of bark beetle infestations on biodiversity and recreation in protected areas of Central Europe

Mareike Kortmann

Date: November 19, 2020
Time: 2 pm (s.t.)
Place: via zoom. Please register by sending an email to grk2300@uni-goettingen.de.

Many protected areas are affected by unprecedented, large and severe natural disturbances, like bark beetle outbreaks. Due to the contrasting responses of different taxonomic groups to disturbance events and largely negative human perceptions of disturbed landscapes, there are conflicting opinions about the appropriate way of managing affected stands. A multi-taxon biodiversity surveys and questionnaires on the restorativeness and well-being should help to develop sustainable management suggestions. The study was conducted in five national parks throughout Europe along a continuous gradient of bark beetle infestation severities.