Development of forest ecosystems after heavy deposition loads considering Dübener Heide as example—challenges for a process-oriented forest management planning

The article reviews in its first part literature on the development of forests in the lowland region Dübener Heide (Saxony, Central Germany). The Dübener Heide acts as example for regions in Central and Eastern Europe, which are undergoing a dramatic transformation from heavily to moderately affected by air pollution. Main on- and off-site factors and their influence on forest vegetation and processes are described. In the following, regional approaches for dealing with spatial influence of deposition in forest management planning are introduced and a concept for integrating ongoing processes into a process-oriented forest management is described. Additionally, the special suitability of the presented approach compared to classic forest management planning is discussed. Requirements and research needs for an application of the presented approach are noted. The article is based on an approach, which is pursued in the regional research project “Environment and Forests under Changing Conditions” (ENFORCHANGE). ENFORCHANGE is running in two regions in former Eastern Germany: “Dübener Heide” (Saxony/Saxony-Anhalt) and Upper Lusatian region (Saxony). Major aim of the project is the development of improved forest management planning concepts including landscape management and land-use optimization in former industrial hotspots.