Dzięcioł czarny jako gatunek wskaźnikowy w wielofunkcyjnej, trwale zrównoważonej gospodarce leśnej

Modern multifunctional forest management needs indicators showing the state of forest environment. Commonly used solution is monitoring of the abundance of species with specific environmental requirements. This paper analyses the possibility of use of the biggest European woodpecker (Dryocopus martius) as forest management quality indicator. The black woodpecker resides in all types of forest sites. The species prefers big thick trees as a nest trees, its cavities were mainly made in birches Betula sp. in Western and Southern Europe, Scots pines Pinus sylvestris in Middle and Eastern Europe and aspens Populus tremula in Northern Europe. The black woodpecker, excavating large−sized breeding cavities, is defined as a key species due to the creation of breeding sites for large secondary cavity−nesters. Because of the breeding requirements, black woodpecker can also be treated as an umbrella species for organisms associated with old trees. The way of feeding of that species shows a strong connection with the availability of dead wood. The black woodpecker is a sedentary species, which means that it is highly depended on the structure of the forest and quickly responds to changes caused by forest management. Because of the habitat requirements and relationships with other species, as well as the wide geographical range, it is a good indicator species for multifunctional suitable forest management. It can also act as a keystone species for secondary cavity nesters and umbrella species for organisms associated with old, dying trees.