Database

During thinning, leave low trees and shrubs in the buffer strip near a water body and preserve wood in different decay stages

Habitat	Function	Type of work
Forest	Living environment	Thinning

Buffer strips will be established and maintained along the banks of natural watercourses to maintain biodiversity and ensure ecological connectivity. The recommended width of the buffer strips is 5 metres on average, with an optimum of 1-10 metres.

Description of the action

Leave low-growing trees and shrubs in the buffer strip of water bodies in an extent that does not hinder the growth of the target tree species. Under suitable conditions, preserve standing dead trees/stumps and fallen wood in the buffer strip, allowing retention trees to grow. Stumps can be created through topping, especially in habitat types where the risk of windthrow is higher. The buffer strip of water bodies can also be formed as a meadow-like community with a well-developed grass cover.

Why?

In water body buffer strips, it is advisable to leave low trees (e.g., bird cherry, grey alder) and shrubs, as they improve bank stability. The buffer strip provides habitats and movement corridors for birds and mammals.