Article (Scientific journals)
A novel comparative research platform designed to determine the functional significance of tree species diversity in European forests
Baeten, Lander; Verheyen, Kris; Wirth, Christian et al.
2013In Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics, 15 (5), p. 281-291
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Keywords :
FunDIVEUROPE; biodiversity; ecosystem functioning; tree species diversity; multifunctionality; multidiversity; exploratory; forest types
Abstract :
[en] One of the current advances in functional biodiversity research is the move away from short-lived test systems towards the exploration of diversity-ecosystem functioning relationships in structurally more complex ecosystems. In forests, assumptions about the functional significance of tree species diversity have only recently produced a new generation of research on ecosystem processes and services. Novel experimental designs have now replaced traditional forestry trials, but these comparatively young experimental plots suffer from specific difficulties that are mainly related to the tree size and longevity. Tree species diversity experiments therefore need to be complemented with observational studies in existing forests. Here we present the design and implementation of a new network of forest plots along tree species diversity gradients in six major European forest types: the FunDivEUROPE Exploratory Platform. Based on a review of the deficiencies of existing observational approaches and of unresolved research questions and hypotheses, we discuss the fundamental criteria that shaped the design of our platform. Key features include the extent of the species diversity gradient with mixtures up to five species, strict avoidance of a dilution gradient, special attention to community evenness and minimal covariation with other environmental factors. The new European research platform permits the most comprehensive assessment of tree species diversity effects on forest ecosystem functioning to date since it offers a common set of research plots to groups of researchers from very different disciplines and uses the same methodological approach in contrasting forest types along an extensive environmental gradient.
Disciplines :
Phytobiology (plant sciences, forestry, mycology...)
Environmental sciences & ecology
Author, co-author :
Baeten, Lander
Verheyen, Kris
Wirth, Christian
Bruelheide, Helge
Bussotti, Filippo
Finér, Lena
Jaroszewics, Bogdan
Selvi, Frederico
Valladares, Fernando
Allan, Eric
Ampoorter, Evy
Auge, Harald
Avacaritei, Daniel
Babaro, Luc
Barnoaiea, Ionut
Bauhus, Jürgen
Beinhoff, Carsten
Benavides, Raquel
Benneter, Adam
Berger, Sigrid
Berthold, Felix
Boberg, Johanna
Bonal, Damien
Brüggemann, Wolfgang
Carnol, Monique  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Biologie, Ecologie et Evolution > Ecologie végétale et microbienne
Castagneyrol, Bastien
Charbonnier, Yohan
Checko, Ewa
Coomes, David
Coppi, Andrea
Crespo Bastias, Cristina
Dalmaris, Eleftheria
Danila, Gabriel
Dawud, Seid M.
de Vries, Wim
De Wandeler, Hans
Deconchat, Marc
Domisch, Timo
Dudaman, Gabriel
Fischer, Markus
Fotelli, Mariangela
Gessler, Arthur
Gimeno, Theresa E.
Granier, André
Grossiord, Charlotte
Guyot, Virginie
Hantsch, Lydia
Hattenschwiler, Stephan
Hector, Andy
Hermy, Martin
Holland, Vera
Jactel, Hervé
Joly, François-Xavier
Jucker, Tomasso
Kolb, Simon
Koricheva, Julia
Lexer, Manfred J.
Liebergesell, Mario
Milligan, Harriet
Müller, Sandra
Muys, Bart
Nguyen, Diem
Nichiforel, Liviu
Pollastrini, Martina
Proulx, Raphael
Rabasa, Sonia
Radoglou, Kalliopi
Ratcliffe, Sophia
Raulund-Rasmussen, Karsten
Seiferling, Ian
Vesterdal, Lars
von Wilpert, Klaus
Zavala, Miguel A.
Zielinski, David
Scherer-Lorenzen, Michael
More authors (65 more) Less
Language :
English
Title :
A novel comparative research platform designed to determine the functional significance of tree species diversity in European forests
Publication date :
2013
Journal title :
Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics
ISSN :
1433-8319
Publisher :
Elsevier Science
Volume :
15
Issue :
5
Pages :
281-291
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
European Projects :
FP7 - 265171 - FUNDIVEUROPE - Functional significance of forest biodiversity in Europe
Funders :
DG RDT - Commission Européenne. Direction Générale de la Recherche et de l'Innovation [BE]
CE - Commission Européenne [BE]
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since 09 July 2013

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