1. European Mixed Forests: Definition and research perspectives
- Author
-
Bravo-Oviedo, Andres, Pretzsch, Hans, Ammer, Christian, Andenmatten, Ernesto, Barbati, Anna, Barreiro, Susana, Brang, Peter, Bravo, Felipe, Coll, Lluis, Corona, Piermaria, den Ouden, Jan, Ducey, Mark J., Forrester, David I., Giergiczny, Marek, Jacobsen, Jette B., Lesinski, Jerzy, Löf, Magnus, Mason, Bill, Bratislav, Matovic, Metslaid, Marek, Morneau, François, Motiejunaite, Jurga, O’Reilly, Conor, Pach, Maciej, Ponette, Quentin, del Rio, Miren, Short, Ian, Skovsgaard, Jens Peter, Soliño, Mario, Spathelf, Peter, Sterba, Hubert, Stojanovic, Dejan, Strelcova, Katarina, Svoboda, Miroslav, Kris, Verheyen, von Lüpke, Nikolas, Zlatanov, Tzvetan, European Co-Operation in Science and Technology, FP1206, and UCL - SST/ELI/ELIE - Environmental Sciences
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences ,Biodiversity ,PURE STANDS ,01 natural sciences ,Basal area ,Ecosystem services ,european miexed forests ,lcsh:Forestry ,BIOMASS ALLOCATION ,fagus-sylvatica l ,Valuation (finance) ,SPECIES STANDS ,biodiversity ,CLIMATE-CHANGE ,PRODUCTIVITY ,species stands ,Environmental resource management ,pure stands ,NORWAY SPRUCE ,Forestry ,silviculture ,STAND-DENSITY INDEX ,PE&RC ,PICEA-ABIES ,stand-density index ,Geography ,norway spruce ,FAGUS-SYLVATICA L ,climate-change ,admixtures of species ,European Mixed forests ,mixed-species forests ,productivity ,Soil Science ,Climate change ,COST Action ,Comparative research ,Bosecologie en Bosbeheer ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,mixed-species forest ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,business.industry ,Simulation modeling ,Biology and Life Sciences ,EuMIXFOR ,15. Life on land ,Forest Ecology and Forest Management ,Earth and Environmental Sciences ,lcsh:SD1-669.5 ,BIODIVERSITY ,Monoculture ,biomass allocation ,picea-abies ,business ,010606 plant biology & botany - Abstract
Aim of study: We aim at (i) developing a reference definition of mixed forests in order to harmonize comparative research in mixed forests and (ii) review the research perspectives in mixed forests.Area of study: The definition is developed in Europe but can be tested worldwide.Material and Methods: Review of existent definitions of mixed forests based and literature review encompassing dynamics, management and economic valuation of mixed forests.Main results: A mixed forest is defined as a forest unit, excluding linear formations, where at least two tree species coexist at any developmental stage, sharing common resources (light, water, and/or soil nutrients). The presence of each of the component species is normally quantified as a proportion of the number of stems or of basal area, although volume, biomass or canopy cover as well as proportions by occupied stand area may be used for specific objectives. A variety of structures and patterns of mixtures can occur, and the interactions between the component species and their relative proportions may change over time.The research perspectives identified are (i) species interactions and responses to hazards, (ii) the concept of maximum density in mixed forests, (iii) conversion of monocultures to mixed-species forest and (iv) economic valuation of ecosystem services provided by mixed forests.Research highlights: The definition is considered a high-level one which encompasses previous attempts to define mixed forests. Current fields of research indicate that gradient studies, experimental design approaches, and model simulations are key topics providing new research opportunities. Aim of study: We aim at (i) developing a reference definition of mixed forests in order to harmonize comparative research in mixed forests and (ii) review the research perspectives in mixed forests.Area of study: The definition is developed in Europe but can be tested worldwide.Material and Methods: Review of existent definitions of mixed forests based and literature review encompassing dynamics, management and economic valuation of mixed forests.Main results: A mixed forest is defined as a forest unit, excluding linear formations, where at least two tree species coexist at any developmental stage, sharing common resources (light, water, and/or soil nutrients). The presence of each of the component species is normally quantified as a proportion of the number of stems or of basal area, although volume, biomass or canopy cover as well as proportions by occupied stand area may be used for specific objectives. A variety of structures and patterns of mixtures can occur, and the interactions between the component species and their relative proportions may change over time.The research perspectives identified are (i) species interactions and responses to hazards, (ii) the concept of maximum density in mixed forests, (iii) conversion of monocultures to mixed-species forest and (iv) economic valuation of ecosystem services provided by mixed forests.Research highlights: The definition is considered a high-level one which encompasses previous attempts to define mixed forests. Current fields of research indicate that gradient studies, experimental design approaches, and model simulations are key topics providing new research opportunities.
- Published
- 2014