Do we have sufficient data and information for a knowledge based adaptation of forest management to climate change?

Scientifically based data on the relationship of forest ecosystem functioning, forest stand naturalness and biodiversity status are urgently needed for a better understanding of the effects of forest management adaptation strategies under climate change. The contribution will summarize information on i) natural processes in forest ecosystems; ii) natural disturbance history, iii) differences between ecosystem processes during grow stage and mature stage and iv) the sustainability of forest management compared to the natural forest ecosystem processes. A framework of indicators will be proposed to quantify the key elements of natural processes (succession), the forest biodiversity status (genetic, species, ecosystem and landscape level) and the effects of sustainable forest management. The framework will allow to answer questions with regard to quantitative and qualitative aspects of forest management and maintaining forest ecosystem functioning (e.g. genetic pools, energetic-material fluxes, including soil nutrient level, water regime and forest microclimate and the incremental risks of natural forest disturbance, including resilience processes in disturbed forests). In addition, the possibility of comparison the primary (with an emphasis on improving soil properties) and secondary forest succession (similarity of clear cutting with natural disturbance) will be discussed. The findings will be exemplified by case studies from different forest ecosystems in Europe.