For my MSc thesis, I am examining how different treatments of forest disturbance sites influence ungulate activity, browsing pressure, and forest regeneration in the Black Forest region of south-western Germany. The project is conducted in collaboration with the Forest Research Institute of Baden-Württemberg (FVA), Department of Forest Nature Conservation and is supervised by PD DR. Veronika Braunisch (https://www.fva-bw.de/top-meta-navigation/fachabteilungen/waldnaturschutz/waldschutzgebiete-und-biodiversitaet).
Climate-change-related disturbances such as windstorms, drought, and bark beetle outbreaks are increasingly impacting forest ecosystems. While disturbed areas are often cleared and replanted for economic reasons, they also hold great potential for biodiversity - especially when deadwood is left on site. Using camera traps and vegetation surveys, I assess how forest management, forest structure and disturbance history affect both animal behavior and the success of forest regeneration.
By investigating the role of deadwood retention as a possible means to reduce ungulate activity and browsing pressure, this project aims to inform forest management strategies that support both biodiversity conservation and sustainable forestry.
