Using forest gap models and experimental data to explore long-term effects of tree diversity on the productivity of mixe
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RESEARCH PAPER
Using forest gap models and experimental data to explore long-term effects of tree diversity on the productivity of mixed planted forests Xavier Morin 1 & Thomas Damestoy 1,2 & Maude Toigo 1,2 & Bastien Castagneyrol 2 & Hervé Jactel 2 & François de Coligny 3 & Céline Meredieu 4 Received: 12 September 2019 / Accepted: 13 April 2020 # The Author(s) 2020
Abstract & Key message In this exploratory study, we show how combining the strength of tree diversity experiment with the longterm perspective offered by forest gap models allows testing the mixture yielding behavior across a full rotation period. Our results on a SW France example illustrate how mixing maritime pine with birch may produce an overyielding (i.e., a positive net biodiversity effect). & Context Understanding the link between tree diversity and stand productivity is a key issue at a time when new forest management methods are investigated to improve carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation. Well-controlled tree diversity experiments have been set up over the last decades, but they are still too young to yield relevant results from a longterm perspective. Alternatively, forest gap models appear as appropriate tools to study the link between diversity and productivity as they can simulate mixed forest growth over an entire forestry cycle. & Aims We aimed at testing whether a forest gap model could first reproduce the results from a tree diversity experiment, using its plantation design as input, and then predict the species mixing effect on productivity and biomass in the long term. & Methods Here, we used data from different forest experimental networks to calibrate the gap model FORCEEPS for young pine (Pinus pinaster) and birch (Betula pendula) stands. Then, we used the refined model to compare the productivity of pure and mixed pine and birch stands over a 50-year cycle. The mixing effect was tested for two plantation designs, i.e., species substitution and species addition, and at two tree densities. & Results Regarding the comparison with the experiment ORPHEE (thus on the short term), the model well reproduced the species interactions observed in the mixed stands. Simulations showed an overyielding (i.e., a positive net biodiversity effect) in pine-birch mixtures in all cases and during the full rotation period. A transgressive overyielding was detected in mixtures This article is part of the topical collection on Mensuration and modelling for forestry in a changing environment Handling Editor: John M. Lhotka Contribution of co-authors XM, BC, HJ, and CM designed the research. CM, HJ, and BC provided the experimental data. XM and FdC implemented the model in the CAPSIS platform. TD, MT, and XM validate the model for the two species and run the simulations. TD, MT, and XM carried out the analyses with the help of CM, HJ, and CM. XM led the writing of the manuscript, with significant help from all coauthors. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (https://doi.org/10.1007/s13595-020-00954-0) cont
