2019
Award Recipient: Dr. Simon Thorn

Dr. Simon Thorn receives the 2019 Hans Löhrl Prize for his research on the effects of natural disturbances—with and without subsequent silvicultural interventions—on forest bird communities, which he has published in a series of complementary studies. Among these, the global review by S. Thorn et al. (2018): “Impacts of salvage logging on biodiversity: A meta-analysis.” J Appl Ecol. 55: 279–289, in which the team of authors examined the effects of logging resulting from natural events such as windthrow, fire, or bark beetle outbreaks on various groups of organisms.

Natural disturbances involving an increased accumulation of deadwood promote biodiversity. Dogmatically mandated deadwood removal following such events—which does not even stop at the boundaries of protected areas—leads, in contrast, to a reduction in species diversity and changes in species composition.

Mr. Thorn’s studies explain the chain reaction of negative impacts on the various components of the forest ecosystem and offer nature-friendly, cost-effective alternatives for sustainable management. Against the backdrop of climate change-related problems facing forests and timber plantations, these studies are highly relevant. The award recipient has succeeded in linking theoretical insights with practical conservation implications in an exemplary manner, and he will consistently continue this work in his globally networked projects.

Dr. Karl Schulze-Hagen
, Dr. Bernd Leisler
, Prof. Dr. Hans Winkler

Presented at the 152nd Annual Meeting of the DO-G
by the President of the DO-G, Dr. Wolfgang Fiedler

Marburg, September 26, 2019