biostudies-literatureKortmann MGerman Federal Environmental FoundationAustrian Science Fund FWF81-91https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC7612776biostudies-literatureUnknown226Boreal and mountainous forests are a primary focus of conservation efforts and are naturally prone to large-scale disturbances, such as outbreaks of bark beetles. Affected stands are characterised by biological legacies which persist through the disturbance and subsequent succession. The lack of long-term monitoring data on post-disturbance forest structure precludes understanding of the complex pathways by which natural disturbances affect forest structure and subsequently species presence. We analysed the response of capercaillie (<i>Tetrao urogallus)</i> and hazel grouse (<i>Tetrastes bonasia)</i> to bark beetle infestations. We combined high-resolution airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) with a 23-year time series of aerial photography to quantify present-day forest structure Biological conservationForest structure following natural disturbances and early succession provides habitat for two avian flagship species, capercaillie (<i>Tetrao urogallus</i>) and hazel grouse (<i>Tetrastes bonasia</i>).PMC761277620017/474Y 895-B25Y 895Kortmann MSeidl RRosner SLatifi HHeurich MMuller JThorn SfalseForest structure following natural disturbances and early succession provides habitat for two avian flagship species, capercaillie (<i>Tetrao urogallus</i>) and hazel grouse (<i>Tetrastes bonasia</i>).Boreal and mountainous forests are a primary focus of conservation efforts and are naturally prone to large-scale disturbances, such as outbreaks of bark beetles. Affected stands are characterised by biological legacies which persist through the disturbance and subsequent succession. The lack of long-term monitoring data on post-disturbance forest structure precludes understanding of the complex pathways by which natural disturbances affect forest structure and subsequently species presence. We analysed the response of capercaillie (<i>Tetrao urogallus)</i> and hazel grouse (<i>Tetrastes bonasia)</i> to bark beetle infestations. We combined high-resolution airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) with a 23-year time series of aerial photography to quantify present-day forest structure 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z2018 Oct2025-04-04T02:24:30.588Z2025-02-19T01:23:37.386ZS-EPMC76127763563389210.1016/j.biocon.2018.07.014