Felton, Adam
- Institutionen för sydsvensk skogsvetenskap, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
 
The choice of tree species used in production forests matters for biodiversity and ecosystem services. In Sweden, damage to young production forests by large browsing herbivores is helping to drive a development where sites traditionally regenerated with Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) are instead being regenerated with Norway spruce (Picea abies). We provide a condensed synthesis of the available evidence regarding the likely resultant implications for forest biodiversity and ecosystem services from this change in tree species. Apart from some benefits (e.g. reduced stand-level browsing damage), we identified a range of negative outcomes for biodiversity, production, esthetic and recreational values, as well as increased stand vulnerability to storm, frost, and drought damage, and potentially higher risks of pest and pathogen outbreak. Our results are directly relevant to forest owners and policy-makers seeking information regarding the uncertainties, risks, and trade-offs likely to result from changing the tree species in production forests.
Biological diversity; Climate change; Ecosystem services; Planted forest; Sustainability
                        AMBIO: A Journal of the Human Environment
2020, volym: 49, sidor: 1035–1049
Utgivare: SPRINGER
                    
                        SLU Nätverk växtskydd
                    
                        SDG15 Ekosystem och biologisk mångfald
                    
                        Skogsvetenskap
                    
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/102780