The aim is to study the disturbance dynamics of different nature reserves, with the purpose of increasing general understanding of the role of near-natural and old boreal forests in relation to, e.g. increasing bark beetle disturbances, and how and in what time forest regeneration occurs after such disturbances. The sub-studies aim to investigate 1) the general role of nature reserves in relation to bark beetle disturbances at the landscape level, 2) the regeneration of nature reserves, the development of carbon stocks and sinks after bark beetle disturbances, and 3) the effects of the mosaic landscape of nature reserves and commercial forests on these. In addition, the results can provide realistic estimates of whether the disturbance dynamics of nature reserves affect the risk of damage to surrounding forests. The results can also be applied and utilized in the management, restoration, and conservation of commercial forests as climate change and biodiversity loss progress.
