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Peer-reviewedCC BYAMBIO

From guidelines to practice: Operational criteria for identifying old-growth forests in northern Europe

  • Mikko Mönkkönen1
  • Gediminas Brazaitis2
  • Guntis Brūmelis3
  • Bengt‐Gunnar Jonsson4,5
  • Asko Lõhmus6
  • Raisa Mäkipää7
  • Kimmo Syrjänen8
8 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, School of Resource Wisdom, University of Jyvaskyla, POB 35, 40014, Jyväskylä, Finland. [email protected]
  2. 2Department of Forest Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy, Studentu 11, 53361, Akademija, Kaunas, Lithuania
  3. 3Department of Ecology, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Latvia, 1 Jelgavas iela, Rīga, 1004, Latvia
  4. 4Department of Natural Science, Design and Sustainable Development, Mid Sweden University, 85170, Sundsvall, Sweden
  5. 5Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 901 83, Umeå, Sweden
  6. 6Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, J. Liivi 2, 50409, Tartu, Estonia
  7. 7Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Latokartanonkaari 9, 00790, Helsinki, Finland
  8. 8Finnish Environment Institute (Syke), Latokartanonkaari 11, 00790, Helsinki, Finland
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Abstract

Primary and old-growth forests are globally valued for their biodiversity, ecosystem services, and cultural significance. The EU biodiversity strategy and EU forest strategy for 2030 require strict protection of remaining primary and old-growth forests, yet they cover only about 3% of EU forest area and remain highly threatened. The European Commission's guidelines define old-growth forests using three main indicators-native tree species, deadwood, and large/old trees-supported by four complementary indicators. Implementing these indicators for boreal and hemiboreal old-growth forests in Europe currently lack science-based operational criteria that meet EU legal standards. We provide recommendations for implementing European Commission's indicators with science-based criteria to minimize misclassification and ensure cost-effective conservation. Key criteria include native species dominance, ≥ 5% deadwood of the total wood volume, and ≥ 20 large/old trees per hectare. Additional guidance is offered for regeneration patterns, structural complexity, microhabitats, and indicator species, emphasizing that all indicators should be applied collectively.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{monkkonen2026from,
  title = {{From guidelines to practice: Operational criteria for identifying old-growth forests in northern Europe}},
  author = {Mikko Mönkkönen and Gediminas Brazaitis and Guntis Brūmelis and Bengt‐Gunnar Jonsson and Asko Lõhmus and Raisa Mäkipää and Kimmo Syrjänen},
  journal = {AMBIO},
  year = {2026},
  month = aug,
  doi = {10.1007/s13280-026-02457-0},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-026-02457-0},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - From guidelines to practice: Operational criteria for identifying old-growth forests in northern Europe
AU  - Mikko Mönkkönen
AU  - Gediminas Brazaitis
AU  - Guntis Brūmelis
AU  - Bengt‐Gunnar Jonsson
AU  - Asko Lõhmus
AU  - Raisa Mäkipää
AU  - Kimmo Syrjänen
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/08/19
JO  - AMBIO
DO  - 10.1007/s13280-026-02457-0
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-026-02457-0
AB  - Primary and old-growth forests are globally valued for their biodiversity, ecosystem services, and cultural significance. The EU biodiversity strategy and EU forest strategy for 2030 require strict protection of remaining primary and old-growth forests, yet they cover only about 3% of EU forest area and remain highly threatened. The European Commission's guidelines define old-growth forests using three main indicators-native tree species, deadwood, and large/old trees-supported by four complementary indicators. Implementing these indicators for boreal and hemiboreal old-growth forests in Europe currently lack science-based operational criteria that meet EU legal standards. We provide recommendations for implementing European Commission's indicators with science-based criteria to minimize misclassification and ensure cost-effective conservation. Key criteria include native species dominance, ≥ 5% deadwood of the total wood volume, and ≥ 20 large/old trees per hectare. Additional guidance is offered for regeneration patterns, structural complexity, microhabitats, and indicator species, emphasizing that all indicators should be applied collectively.
SN  - 0044-7447
SN  - 1654-7209
ER  -