UPM Global Biodiversity Program gives life to forests

The Program identified six key elements of forest biodiversity:

1/ Maintain and increase proportion of native tree species because they have an important role in the functioning of forest ecosystems (providing habitat, shelter and food for many species).
2/ Manage deadwood quality and quantity to enhance biodiversity, particularly for insects, especially beetles, fungi and lichens, but also birds, bats and mammals. They are also releasing nutrients back into the soil where they can help living trees and other vegetation to grow.
3/ Protect valuable habitats: even if they are often naturally small, they provide the richest and most varied components for biodiversity.
4/ Manage variation in forest structure: Different species require variety in the distribution of trees either vertically or horizontally in a stand or across the forest.
5/ Maintain open water bodies and wetlands. Rivers and lakes provide a wide range of habitats for fish, many different mammal, plant, bird and insect species. Water resources provide us with fresh water, important for drinking water, agriculture and industry.
6/ Implement plans for remnants of natural forests so that they can evolve through natural disturbances like fire, wind, snow and ice, insects and disease. In addition to promoting biodiversity they are needed for research and education.

A global target has been set for each of the elements and the implementation is done through country level targets and local action plans, such as creating habitat for fire dependent species in Finland; Tracing the origin of Russian wood; Promoting biodiversity in the wood supply chain in Germany; Restoring the endangered Black Grouse populations in Great Britain; Conserving Uruguayan Palm Savannas (a native species protected by Law); or signing a conservation easement in USA for the 76 000 hectares UPM manage in Northern Minnesota.