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

• Weih, Martin

  • Department of Crop Production Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Associated SLU-program

SLU Plant Protection Network


Sustainable Development Goals

SDG15 Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
SDG13 Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
SDG12 Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns


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