Structural complexity in managed and strictly protected mountain forests: effects on the habitat suitability for indicator bird species

Increasing the proportion of unmanaged forest in multi-functional forest landscapes is a central goal of international and national conservation strategies. However, the structural development in newly created forest reserves and its impact on forest species remain are controversially discussed, especially with regard to potential negative effects on light-demanding species in the first phase after reserve designation. We evaluated the effect of management cessation on habitat characteristics of four bird species indicative of different seral stages and structural components: Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), Hazel grouse (Bonasa bonasia), Three-toed woodpecker (Picoides tridactylus) and Pyg…