Mixed plantations do not necessarily provide higher ecosystem multifunctionality than monoculture plantations

Area of Science:

• Forestry and Ecology
• Ecosystem Science

Background:

• Forest stand transformation is key for ecosystem productivity and function.
• Limited understanding exists on how transformation methods affect ecosystem multifunctionality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess ecosystem multifunctionality under different forest stand transformation methods.
• To identify key factors influencing ecosystem multifunctionality variations.

Main Methods:

• Evaluated nutrient cycling, carbon stocks, water regulation, decomposition, wood production, and symbiosis.
• Compared Chinese fir monoculture, mixed conifer-broadleaf, broadleaf mixed, and secondary forests.

Main Results:

• Chinese fir plantations maximized carbon stocks; broad-leaved mixed plantations enhanced water regulation.
• Secondary forests showed higher multifunctionality than plantations.
• Chinese fir plantations exhibited the highest multifunctionality, surpassing mixed types.

Conclusions:

• Stand transformation significantly impacts ecosystem multifunctionality.
• Mixed plantations do not inherently offer higher multifunctionality than monocultures.
• Soil nutrients and plant diversity are critical drivers of ecosystem multifunctionality.