Contributions of a global network of tree diversity experiments to sustainable forest plantations

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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ambio 2016-02, Vol.45 (1), p.29-41
Main Authors: Verheyen, Kris, Vanhellemont, Margot, Auge, Harald, Baeten, Lander, Baraloto, Christopher, Barsoum, Nadia, Bilodeau-Gauthier, Simon, Bruelheide, Helge, Castagneyrol, Bastien, Godbold, Douglas, Haase, Josephine, Hector, Andy, Jactel, Hervé, Koricheva, Julia, Loreau, Michel, Mereu, Simone, Messier, Christian, Muys, Bart, Nolet, Philippe, Paquette, Alain, Parker, John, Perring, Mike, Ponette, Quentin, Potvin, Catherine, Reich, Peter, Smith, Andy, Weih, Martin, Scherer-Lorenzen, Michael
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agroforestry
Atmospheric Sciences
Biodiversity
Carbon sequestration
Conservation of Natural Resources - methods
Earth and Environmental Science
Ecology
Ecosystem
Ecosystems
Ekologi
Environment
Environmental conditions
Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology
Environmental Management
Environmental Monitoring
Experiments
Forest management
Forest Science
Forests
Genotypes
Life Sciences
Observational studies
PERSPECTIVE
Pest resistance
Physical Geography
Plant diversity
Plant species
Plantations
Science
Skogsvetenskap
Sustainable agriculture
Sustainable forestry
Trees
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0044-7447
1654-7209
1654-7209
DOI:10.1007/s13280-015-0685-1