Density-independent mortality, which may be between 1 and
2% per annum in mature and old stands (Van Mantgem and
Stephenson, 2007; Lewis et al., 2004) ensures a constant supply of
dead wood. If individual or groups of dying or dead trees are not
salvaged, even after disturbances, or salvaging is reduced, the input
of CWD could be increased considerably. Bouget and Duelli (2004)
argue that, even in coniferous forests with the risk of bark beetle
infestation, windthrow gaps can be managed in an adaptive way
that allows the retention of freshly created CWD islands.