Between biodiversity conservation and sustainable forest management – A multidisciplinary assessment of the emblematic Białowieża Forest case

A multidisciplinary assessment of the Białowieża Forest Massif (BFM) reveals that while there is consensus on its conservation value, the path forward remains contentious due to contradictory evidence, knowledge gaps, and divergent stakeholder values. The study highlights that ecological data alone cannot resolve complex conservation conflicts; effective management requires a participatory process led by a legitimate body, addressing socio-economic drivers and power dynamics among stakeholders.

Blicharska, M., Angelstam, P., Giessen, L., Hilszczański, J., Hermanowicz, E., Holeksa, J., Jacobsen, J. B., Jaroszewicz, B., Konczal, A., Konieczny, A., Mikusiński, G., Mirek, Z., Mohren, F., Muys, B., Niedziałkowski, K., Sotirov, M., Stereńczak, K., Szwagrzyk, J., Winder, G. M., et al. (2020). Between biodiversity conservation and sustainable forest management – A multidisciplinary assessment of the emblematic Białowieża Forest case. Biological Conservation, 248, 108614. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108614