Weih, Martin
- Department of Crop Production Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Abstract
The area of forest plantations is increasing worldwide helping to meet timber demand and protect natural forests. However, with global change, monospecific plantations are increasingly vulnerable to abiotic and biotic disturbances. As an adaption measure we need to move to plantations that are more diverse in genotypes, species, and structure, with a design underpinned by science. TreeDivNet, a global network of tree diversity experiments, responds to this need by assessing the advantages and disadvantages of mixed species plantations. The network currently consists of 18 experiments, distributed over 36 sites and five ecoregions. With plantations 1-15 years old, TreeDivNet can already provide relevant data for forest policy and management. In this paper, we highlight some early results on the carbon sequestration and pest resistance potential of more diverse plantations. Finally, suggestions are made for new, innovative experiments in understudied regions to complement the existing network.
Keywords
Biodiversity experiments; Functional biodiversity research; Plantation forest; Sustainable forest management; Ecological restoration
Published in
AMBIO: A Journal of the Human Environment
2016, volume: 45, number: 1, pages: 29-41
SLU Authors
Associated SLU-program
SLU Plant Protection Network
Global goals (SDG)
SDG12 Responsible consumption and production
SDG13 Climate action
SDG15 Life on land
UKÄ Subject classification
Forest Science
Ecology
Publication identifier
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-015-0685-1
Permanent link to this page (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/69803