How much deadwood is enough? Biodiversity and forest management in Europe
In this webinar, we will explore the key findings of the SoEF 2025 report with a special focus on deadwood, examining its ecological significance, current trends across Europe, and its role in promoting biodiversity and sustainable forest management.
The State of Europe’s Forests (SoEF) 2025 report highlights several encouraging trends in Europe’s forests, including increasing tree species diversity, expanding protected forest areas, and the continued importance of natural regeneration. Among these developments, the steady rise in deadwood across the continent stands out as a particularly important indicator of forest ecosystem health. Deadwood provides essential habitat for countless species, supports nutrient cycling, and contributes to the resilience and functioning of forest ecosystems.
While deadwood is vital for biodiversity, the report highlights the need for a balanced approach. Large accumulations of fresh deadwood can elevate regional wildfire risks or trigger destructive insect outbreaks (such as bark beetle infestations).
What does increasing deadwood tell us about biodiversity? Is there an “optimal” amount? Should we establish targets, or do appropriate levels depend too strongly on forest type and region?
This webinar will focus on present and future policy and management challenges related to deadwood in European forests.
When?
22 September 2026, 12:00-13:00 CEST
Register for the webinar here
Moderators
The webinar will be moderated by Maja Drča, EU Representative at the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification and Matteo Mascolo, Forest Steward at FSC.