Over 150 scientists have signed an open letter to the Minister of Climate to protect almost 3.5 thousand hectares of Suchedniowskie Forests. In their opinion, the upland fir forest in this area is unique in Poland and should be protected. Ecosystems like this – say the researchers – are “an ally in mitigating the effects of the climate and ecological catastrophe”.
Scientists point out that the beech-fir forests of the Świętokrzyska Forest are an ecosystem with a high degree of naturalness with many rare and protected species of plants and animals. They add that in order to preserve them for future generations, forest management should be stopped in this place and the Suchedniowskie Forests should be placed under reserve protection.
“The presence of rare species in this area, protected also under international law, and relics of natural forests, such as some birds (e.g. white-backed woodpecker) and saproxylic beetles (Schneider's gloom) justifies the high natural value of the discussed area; such ecosystems are rare today, so it is worth protecting their remains in an appropriate manner” – we read in a letter from scientists to the Minister of Climate and Environment Paulina Henning-Kloska.
The Świętokrzyskie ForestKrzysztof Ptak, Regional Directorate of State Forests in Radom
The area covered by the appeal covers 3,376 ha of land belonging to the State Treasury and managed by the Suchedniów and Zagnańsk Forest Districts.
The forest is supposed to mitigate the effects of the climate crisis
One of the signatories of the letter, Dr. Paulina Kramarz from the Faculty of Biology of the Jagiellonian University, pointed out that the type of forest occurring in this area, the fir upland forest, is unique in Poland. Such forest ecosystems constitute only 0.2 percent of the total area of forest land in Poland and should be excluded from economic use.
– In the era of global average temperature increase on Earth and drastic loss of biodiversity, such forests with the participation of old trees of a nature close to natural as the Suchedniowskie Forests are our ally in mitigating the effects of the climate and ecological catastrophe – said Kramarz.
The Świętokrzyskie ForestAnna Andrzejczak-Wilk, Regional Directorate of the State Forests in Radom
She added that it is necessary to change the way this area is managed, and the greatest threat to the preservation of the natural values of the Suchedniów Forests is the pressure of forest management, including the removal of old and mature trees.
– Trees, especially firs, take a long time to grow, and as we know, we have increasingly faster galloping climate change. This causes the extinction of some species of trees, including conifers, but this does not apply to fir. So, if we have a beautiful fir forest, it would be worth leaving it. Trees are inhabited by various organisms, they are also a source of seeds for future generations of this type of trees – emphasized the professor of the Institute of Environmental Sciences of the Faculty of Biology of the Jagiellonian University.
Dead trees in the forest. This is their second life
Kramarz also addressed the issue of “dead trees in the forest.”
– You could say that it's like a second life for a tree like that. It's a place of residence for many organisms, it's eaten by many organisms. It decomposes slowly and releases various nutrients. We have to remember that if we remove something dead, even leaves in the garden, we remove the nutrients contained there – the signatory of the letter noted.
Dr. Kramarz added that placing over 3,000 ha of the Suchedniów Forests under reserve protection is the best way to preserve the natural values of these areas and, at the same time, make them available to tourists.
The letter to the Minister of Climate and Environment was signed by 154 Polish scientists.
Main image source: Krzysztof Ptak, Regional Directorate of State Forests in Radom