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FOREST ECOLOGY

Functional forest restoration

Nature Ecology & Evolution volume 5, pages 1572–1573 (2021)Cite this article

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The strength of functional diversity effects on forest productivity increases over time, highlighting the key role of multi-species tree communities in long-term restoration initiatives.

Bongers et al.2 add their voices to the calls to use an ecosystem perspective in restoration projects7, moving from monospecific to diverse planted forests and from single functions to multiple ecosystem functions, that is, multi-functionality and resilience8,9. Although maximizing biodiversity in forest restoration initiatives may result in direct and indirect benefits (for example, through ecosystem functioning and nature’s contributions to people), how contrasting facets of biodiversity (that is, taxonomic, functional, phylogenetic and interactions) can contribute to understanding the underlying processes and mechanisms acting through restoration to guide species selection in complementary ways remains uncertain. As an example, considering multiple biodiversity facets together in a temporal context, as presented in this article, encourages us to consider potential synergies and trade-offs (for example, coexistence–complementarity and response–effect traits) that may operate during restoration. Yet, as the study shows, the strength of taxonomic diversity, that is, species richness, on forest productivity also increases over time, with multi-species tree communities (based on taxonomic diversity) bringing long-term benefits and facilitating restoration initiatives.

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Fig. 1: Informing restoration through functional and temporal dimensions.

References

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  1. Biodiversity, Macroecology and Biogeography, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Goettingen, Göttingen, Germany

    Nathaly R. Guerrero-Ramírez

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  1. Nathaly R. Guerrero-Ramírez
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Correspondence to Nathaly R. Guerrero-Ramírez.

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Guerrero-Ramírez, N.R. Functional forest restoration. Nat Ecol Evol 5, 1572–1573 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-021-01575-0

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