Tree mixtures mediate negative effects of introduced tree species on bird taxonomic and functional diversity

Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

Authors

  • Andreas Schuldt
  • Pelle Huke
  • Jonas Glatthorn
  • Jonas Hagge
  • Benjamin Wildermuth
  • Dragan Matevski

Recent biodiversity loss has emphasized the necessity to critically evaluate the consequences of human alterations of forest ecosystems. Stand diversification via tree species mixtures and the use of non-native trees are two such alterations currently gaining importance as climate change adaptations. However, the effects of local versus regional tree mixing on associated biodiversity and notably the modifying role of tree species growing outside their natural range remain poorly understood. We assessed how monocultures and mixtures of native and introduced tree species influence the taxonomic and functional diversity of bird communities at stand and landscape scales in north-west Germany. We focused on the dominant natural tree species (Fagus sylvatica) and economically important conifer species planted outside their natural range (the native Picea abies and non-native Pseudotsuga menziesii). We found that bird species richness and functional diversity were generally higher in pure and mixed stands of native F. sylvatica than in pure conifer stands, especially in comparison to non-native P. menziesii. These differences were particularly strong at the landscape scale. Pure conifer stands harboured only a reduced set of functionally similar bird species. Structural diversity based on tree microhabitat availability emerged as a key predictor of bird diversity. Synthesis and applications. Our study suggests that tree species mixtures do not necessarily increase bird diversity compared to pure stands of native trees, but can promote bird diversity relative to pure stands of species planted outside their natural range. Moreover, local mixtures, rather than a mosaic of pure stands, may promote bird diversity also at the landscape scale. By contrast, pure stands of tree species planted outside their natural range can increase biotic homogenization of forest birds. Promoting structural diversity of microhabitats via tree retention and ensuring that non-native trees are planted in mixtures with native trees may alleviate potential limitations of climate change-oriented management for biodiversity.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Applied Ecology
Volume59
Issue number12
Pages (from-to)3049-3060
Number of pages12
ISSN0021-8901
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 12.2022
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We thank Christian Ammer, Serena Müller and members and foresters of the RTG 2300 project for support, Mathias Eichelbrönner, Elisabeth Hans and Annika Thomas for help with tree microhabitat assessments, and Peter Kriegel for R‐code for Figure S1 . This study was supported by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), grant number 316045089/GRK 2300. Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 The Authors. Journal of Applied Ecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Ecological Society.

    Research areas

  • beta-diversity, biotic homogenization, bird functional diversity, Douglas fir, forest management, local and regional scale, non-native tree species, tree species mixtures

DOI

Recently viewed

Publications

  1. Portrait of a Thinker
  2. Anomalous Results in G-Factor Models
  3. Effects Of Different Order Processing Strategies On Operating Curves Of Logistic Models
  4. Online-Beratung für Eltern
  5. Performance Saga: Interview 05
  6. A Stacked Planar Sensor Concept for Minimally Invasive Plasma Monitoring
  7. OPERATIONALIZING DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION FROM MULTIPLE PERSPECTIVES
  8. Predictive modeling in e-mental health
  9. Cross-Border Knowledge Transfer in the Digital Age
  10. Halb voll oder halb leer?
  11. Microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-3Sn-1Ca reinforced with AlN nano-particles
  12. Creativity in Spaces of Possibilities for Sustainable Urban Development
  13. Do it again
  14. The significance of tree-tree interactions for forest ecosystem functioning
  15. Understanding Similarities and Differences of Digital Health Platforms
  16. Exports and profitability
  17. Proof of Stake
  18. Young children spontaneously recreate core properties of language in a new modality
  19. Numerical study of electrode vaporization rates in an Automotive HVDC Relay in hydrogen and open air in a short circuit situation
  20. Hot deformation behavior and processing map of Mg-3Sn-2Ca-0.4Al-0.4Zn alloy
  21. DSM-IV und DSM-5
  22. Ambiguous Effects of Risk Aversion on Healthy Nutrition
  23. The EU inspire directive
  24. Ergebnisse einer Sparkassen-Umfrage
  25. art thinking doing art: Artistic Practices in Educational Contexts from 1900 to Today
  26. Mechanisms of teleological change
  27. The Effect of Market Power on Electricity Storage Utilization
  28. Regulating Globalization
  29. Phenotypic Plasticity Explains Response Patterns of European Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) Saplings to Nitrogen Fertilization and Drought Events
  30. The predictive chameleon
  31. Mechanisms of dialectical change
  32. Notting Hill Gate 6 - Basic
  33. Stakeholder Governance – An analysis of BITC Corporate Responsibility Index Data on Stakeholder Engagement and Governance
  34. Water and soil towards sustainable land use
  35. Electrical Resistivity of Binary Mg Alloys
  36. Simulation wilder Spekulationen. Oder: Wie einmal Paul Baran mit einem falschen Modell das Internet erfand
  37. TERIM – Transition Dynamics in Energy Regions
  38. Public Value
  39. "Ich bin Neda"
  40. Use of the concept of Bildung in the international science education literature, its potential, and implications for teaching and learning