Tree species richness enhances stand productivity while stand structure can have opposite effects, based on forest inventory data from Germany and the United States of America
Abstract Background In recent studies, mixed forests were found to be more productive than monocultures with everything else remaining the same. Methods To find out if this productivity is caused by tree species richness, by a more heterogeneous stand structure or both, we analyzed the effects of fo...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
2018-02-01
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| Series: | Forest Ecosystems |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40663-017-0127-6 |
| _version_ | 1797967419497512960 |
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| author | Laura Zeller Jingjing Liang Hans Pretzsch |
| author_facet | Laura Zeller Jingjing Liang Hans Pretzsch |
| author_sort | Laura Zeller |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background In recent studies, mixed forests were found to be more productive than monocultures with everything else remaining the same. Methods To find out if this productivity is caused by tree species richness, by a more heterogeneous stand structure or both, we analyzed the effects of forest structure and tree species richness on stand productivity, based on inventory data of temperate forests in the United States of America and Germany. Results Having accounted for effects such as tree size and stand density, we found that: (I) tree species richness increased stand productivity in both countries while the effect of tree size heterogeneity on productivity was negative in Germany but positive in the USA; (II) productivity was highest at sites with an intermediate amount of precipitation; and (III) growth limitations due water scarcity or low temperature may enhance structural heterogeneity. Conclusions In the context of forest ecosystem goods and services, as well as future sustainable forest resource management, the associated implications would be: Tree species richness is vital for maintaining forest productivity. As an optimum amount of precipitation is accompanied by the highest productivity, changes in climatic conditions should be considered when planning. Resource limitations enhance structural heterogeneity, which in turn can have positive or negative effects on stand productivity. Furthermore, we discuss the difficulties encountered when analyzing different national forest inventories and large data sets. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T02:30:56Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-13cd3e21d3564a0aa550fc6dae285e28 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2197-5620 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T02:30:56Z |
| publishDate | 2018-02-01 |
| publisher | KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Forest Ecosystems |
| spelling | doaj.art-13cd3e21d3564a0aa550fc6dae285e282023-01-02T21:25:21ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.Forest Ecosystems2197-56202018-02-015111710.1186/s40663-017-0127-6Tree species richness enhances stand productivity while stand structure can have opposite effects, based on forest inventory data from Germany and the United States of AmericaLaura Zeller0Jingjing Liang1Hans Pretzsch2Center of Life and Food Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of MunichDivision of Forestry and Natural Resources, Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources & Design, West Virginia UniversityCenter of Life and Food Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of MunichAbstract Background In recent studies, mixed forests were found to be more productive than monocultures with everything else remaining the same. Methods To find out if this productivity is caused by tree species richness, by a more heterogeneous stand structure or both, we analyzed the effects of forest structure and tree species richness on stand productivity, based on inventory data of temperate forests in the United States of America and Germany. Results Having accounted for effects such as tree size and stand density, we found that: (I) tree species richness increased stand productivity in both countries while the effect of tree size heterogeneity on productivity was negative in Germany but positive in the USA; (II) productivity was highest at sites with an intermediate amount of precipitation; and (III) growth limitations due water scarcity or low temperature may enhance structural heterogeneity. Conclusions In the context of forest ecosystem goods and services, as well as future sustainable forest resource management, the associated implications would be: Tree species richness is vital for maintaining forest productivity. As an optimum amount of precipitation is accompanied by the highest productivity, changes in climatic conditions should be considered when planning. Resource limitations enhance structural heterogeneity, which in turn can have positive or negative effects on stand productivity. Furthermore, we discuss the difficulties encountered when analyzing different national forest inventories and large data sets.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40663-017-0127-6Big dataOveryieldingTree size heterogeneityTree species mixingClimateBiodiversity–productivity relationship |
| spellingShingle | Laura Zeller Jingjing Liang Hans Pretzsch Tree species richness enhances stand productivity while stand structure can have opposite effects, based on forest inventory data from Germany and the United States of America Forest Ecosystems Big data Overyielding Tree size heterogeneity Tree species mixing Climate Biodiversity–productivity relationship |
| title | Tree species richness enhances stand productivity while stand structure can have opposite effects, based on forest inventory data from Germany and the United States of America |
| title_full | Tree species richness enhances stand productivity while stand structure can have opposite effects, based on forest inventory data from Germany and the United States of America |
| title_fullStr | Tree species richness enhances stand productivity while stand structure can have opposite effects, based on forest inventory data from Germany and the United States of America |
| title_full_unstemmed | Tree species richness enhances stand productivity while stand structure can have opposite effects, based on forest inventory data from Germany and the United States of America |
| title_short | Tree species richness enhances stand productivity while stand structure can have opposite effects, based on forest inventory data from Germany and the United States of America |
| title_sort | tree species richness enhances stand productivity while stand structure can have opposite effects based on forest inventory data from germany and the united states of america |
| topic | Big data Overyielding Tree size heterogeneity Tree species mixing Climate Biodiversity–productivity relationship |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40663-017-0127-6 |
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