Allocation and size of conservation measures in a production boreal forest landscape: insights from applying the Delphi technique

This study aims to assess the effects of spatial allocation and size of individual conservation measures on provision of ecosystem services and preservation of biodiversity in a production forest landscape. Since it is difficult to get a complete picture of the long-term outcome using only empirical studies, we combined simulations with an expert assessment method – the Delphi technique. Using data from a forest landscape of 15000 ha in central Sweden we constructed seven scenarios. In all of them 2% of total area is allocated to each of the following measures representing untouched areas of different sizes: nature reserves (approximately 100 ha each), set asides (less than 50 ha each) and …