Abstract
In the study presented here, the question is addressed how different development objectives influence the biological diversity of future forests. As a representative study site, the Lueneburg Heath in NW Germany is taken. The currently implemented forestry program of Niedersachsen (Germany) "LOEWE (long-lasting ecological forest development)" is compared with four other development types, i.e. "profit oriented", "potential natural vegetation", "protection of natural ecological processes", and "natural woodland" (without any further forestry impact). As the reference, the status quo of the woodland serves. In order to assess the biodiversity changes, the levels of species, forest stand, and the landscape diversity are taken into consideration. On the basis of a broad literature survey, a qualitative assessment of biodiversity changes according to the different development objectives is carried out. Considerable changes of forest biodiversity on the species, habitat, and landscape level are expected if different development objectives are implemented. Reasons for these changes are outlined. Derived from the results obtained by this study, forest development strategies are recommended, which on the one hand take natural ecological forest development processes into account, including natural forest reserves without any further management, and on the other hand maintain or promote biodiversity by applying specific silviculture measures. Additionally, also the artificially introduced coniferous tree species should be part of the future forests to maintain and enhance forest biodiversity.