Deadwood is a multifunctional and dynamic feature of forest ecosystems, both terrestrial and aquatic, as it is a hotspot of biodiversity, carbon and forest soil functioning. In particular deadwood has a positive effect on soil health by improving basic properties that are important for the structure and diversity of soil microorganisms. Forest resilience thus can be improved when deadwood supports tree growth through increased water retention, nutrient availability and soil organic carbon stocks especially when stressed by e.g. drought. Yet resilience can be reduced when deadwood heightens the risk and intensity of forest fires, pathogens, and pests. To evaluate deadwood’s contribution to climate resilience via biodiversity, soil functions, (soil) water dynamics, carbon fluxes and fire, we need a better understanding of deadwood quantities and characteristics in forests, underlying faunal and microbial biogeochemical dynamics, and wood decomposition from the canopy to subsoil. Particular interest is placed on the deadwood-soil interface under different environmental conditions and management regimes.
The aim of this session is to illuminate the complex role of deadwood in forest ecosystems by addressing its full range of functions, discussing methods for interdisciplinary deadwood research and deriving implications for sustainable and climate mitigating forest management. We are looking for contributions on classification and quantification of deadwood stocks at different scales, deadwood fauna, fungi, and microbial community dynamics; decomposition processes, the deadwood-soil interface, the potential of deadwood for carbon sequestration (under different environmental conditions), the hydrological effects of deadwood and forest fire risk. Exploratory studies as well as experimental or modelling approaches are welcome.