Comparing the Index of Biodiversity Potential (IBP) in managed and unmanaged temperate lowland forests
Abstract
Key messageThe Index of Biodiversity Potential (IBP) can differentiate between management regimes in a context of semi-natural, mature, close-to-nature managed and set-aside temperate lowland forests. Under optimal tree-growing conditions, thresholds within the capped IBP are frequently and largely exceeded. Application of an uncapped IBP or adjustment of the scoring systems can increase the discriminating power of the index for maturity-related factors.ContextThe Index of Biodiversity Potential (IBP) is a tool used by forest managers for fast and cost-efficient assessment of the biodiversity potential in forest stands. The index is based on a set of easy-to-assess structural attributes linked to forest biodiversity.AimsIn this study, we want to assess whether the IBP can discriminate between close-to-nature managed and recently set-aside mature lowland temperate forests.MethodsWe use the Benelux version of the IBP to assess differences between 42 managed and unmanaged forest patches in Belgium. The IBP was measured in at least one circular plot of 1 ha per 10 ha for each forest patch.ResultsWe find that the IBP increases with time since set-aside in most forests. This can be mainly attributed to increases in deadwood, very large trees and tree-related microhabitats. Overshoot of the threshold leading to maximum scores for IBP factors occurred in both managed and unmanaged forests, but is larger in unmanaged forests, implying that the capped IBP underestimates the actual difference between management types.ConclusionThe IBP can be used in mature lowland temperate forest. However, depending on the required level of detail or stand maturity, an uncapped IBP or adjustment of the scoring system is advised.
Related
- Habitat and landscape outweigh stand age as drivers of species composition in managed temperate forests dominated by Quercus robur L. and Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl
- Larval thermal tolerances and future dispersal potential of the subtropical-to-temperate sea urchin Tripneustes australiae
- Comparing morphological and molecular methods for stream macroinvertebrate biodiversity assessment across seven watersheds in the southern United States
- The e14 cryptic prophage belongs to a temperate phage lineage distributed across Escherichia and retains genes with potential anti-phage defence functions
- Potential exposure risk of global timber production, carbon stocking, and biodiversity to forest pests
BibTeX
@article{win2026comparing,
title = {{Comparing the Index of Biodiversity Potential (IBP) in managed and unmanaged temperate lowland forests}},
author = {Yannick de Win and Jonas Simons and Kris Vandekerkhove and Ellen Desie and Ben Somers and Koenraad van Meerbeek and Bart Muys},
journal = {Annals of Forest Science},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1186/s13595-026-01351-9},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05731874v1},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Comparing the Index of Biodiversity Potential (IBP) in managed and unmanaged temperate lowland forests
AU - Yannick de Win
AU - Jonas Simons
AU - Kris Vandekerkhove
AU - Ellen Desie
AU - Ben Somers
AU - Koenraad van Meerbeek
AU - Bart Muys
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/31
JO - Annals of Forest Science
DO - 10.1186/s13595-026-01351-9
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05731874v1
AB - Key messageThe Index of Biodiversity Potential (IBP) can differentiate between management regimes in a context of semi-natural, mature, close-to-nature managed and set-aside temperate lowland forests. Under optimal tree-growing conditions, thresholds within the capped IBP are frequently and largely exceeded. Application of an uncapped IBP or adjustment of the scoring systems can increase the discriminating power of the index for maturity-related factors.ContextThe Index of Biodiversity Potential (IBP) is a tool used by forest managers for fast and cost-efficient assessment of the biodiversity potential in forest stands. The index is based on a set of easy-to-assess structural attributes linked to forest biodiversity.AimsIn this study, we want to assess whether the IBP can discriminate between close-to-nature managed and recently set-aside mature lowland temperate forests.MethodsWe use the Benelux version of the IBP to assess differences between 42 managed and unmanaged forest patches in Belgium. The IBP was measured in at least one circular plot of 1 ha per 10 ha for each forest patch.ResultsWe find that the IBP increases with time since set-aside in most forests. This can be mainly attributed to increases in deadwood, very large trees and tree-related microhabitats. Overshoot of the threshold leading to maximum scores for IBP factors occurred in both managed and unmanaged forests, but is larger in unmanaged forests, implying that the capped IBP underestimates the actual difference between management types.ConclusionThe IBP can be used in mature lowland temperate forest. However, depending on the required level of detail or stand maturity, an uncapped IBP or adjustment of the scoring system is advised.
SN - 1286-4560
SN - 1297-966X
ER -