Mixing tree species is especially beneficial for biodiversity and forest
functioning in highly fragmented landscapes
Abstract
Contemporary forest management strives to satisfy contrasting demands on
forest ecosystems by promoting multiple ecosystem services. These
services are affected in varied manners by alternative management
actions operating at local or landscape scales, potentially leading to
trade-offs and synergies. We here studied ecosystem functions and
biodiversity data across ecosystem compartments in 53 mature forest
plots varying in stand-level (tree species composition) and
landscape-level (degree of fragmentation) characteristics. We show that
more than two-thirds of the 20 trade-offs and synergies between
functions and diversity variables were driven by variation in tree
species composition and fragmentation. Interestingly, more fragmented
landscapes had higher landscape-level forest functioning, but this came
at the expense of forest biodiversity. At the same time, mixed forest
stands had higher levels of biodiversity than monocultures without
affecting forest functioning. Diversifying forest stands thus represents
a potential management strategy that promotes both ecosystems
functioning and biodiversity in fragmented landscapes.