Comparing the Index of Biodiversity Potential (IBP) in managed and unmanaged temperate lowland forests

Research paper

Key Message
The Index of Biodiversity Potential (IBP) can differentiate between management regimes in a context of semi-natural, mature, close-to-nature managed and set-aside temperate lowland forests. Under optimal tree-growing conditions, thresholds within the capped IBP are frequently and largely exceeded. Application of an uncapped IBP or adjustment of the scoring systems can increase the discriminating power of the index for maturity-related factors.

Keywords
Forest structure; Forest management; Time since set-aside; Deadwood; Management tool

Publication
De Win, Y., Simons, J., Vandekerkhove, K. et al. Comparing the Index of Biodiversity Potential (IBP) in managed and unmanaged temperate lowland forests. Annals of Forest Science 83, 33 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13595-026-01351-9

Data availability 
The data that support the findings of this study are available online: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19087417

Handling editor
Jean-Christophe Domec