High biodiversity and low pest risks in forests with six-legged forester

Wood ants have important role in boreal forest ecosystems. Nest mounds provide habitat for hundreds of organisms of which many live only in wood ant nests. In addition, wood ants seem to have negative effect on several forest pests. Nest mounds typically become deserted in forest clear-cutting because temperature and moisture of nests become unfavourable and main food resources disappear in the vicinity of nests. In this project we compare different forest management practices, e.g., retention trees, on the survival and performance of wood ants in managed forest stands. Better survival would help us maintain biodiversity in managed forests. In addition, we are going to explore the effects of wood ants on some forest pests. Based on the scientific results, our goal is to develop practical recommendations for wood ant conserving management practices for Finnish and Swedish forest owners and managers. The project will be carried out in collaboration between Luke and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU).