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Table 4 Biodiversity topics addressed in forest biomass harvesting guidelines, as percent occurrence in 21 North American and 10 European jurisdictions or regions

From: Sustainable forest biomass: a review of current residue harvesting guidelines

Action or practicea

North America

Europe

Biodiversity (any action)

91

80

 Restrict on valuable or sensitive sites

90

80

 Restrict on sites with threatened or endangered species

90

70

 Retain some standing live and dead trees, fallen woody biomass, stumps/roots (see also Tables 6 and 7)

90

70

 Retain mast-producing woody vegetationb

48

40

 Retain forest floor or litter (see also Table 8)

90

30

 Retain harvest residues used by wildlife (not in Table 8)

29

10

 Retain travel corridors and transition areas

33

20

 Avoid harvest during reproduction, migration

24

40

 Encourage native species or discourage non-natives

52

50

  1. aSee Additional file 1: Table ST-4 for more detail
  2. bMast species are significant sources of fruits, nuts, seeds, buds and other tissues high in proteins, carbohydrates and fats (Minnesota guidelines, 2012 edition published in 2013)