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Dryad

A global meta-analysis of the impacts of tree plantations on biodiversity

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Jan 03, 2022 version files 44.05 KB

Abstract

Aim: Planted forests are becoming increasingly common worldwide for a variety of reasons including water conservation and carbon sequestration, whereas the effects of tree plantations on biodiversity are unclear as to whether planted ecosystems are ‘green deserts’ or valuable habitats for biodiversity.

Location: Global.

Time period: 1980–2020.

Taxa studied: Flora, fauna, and microorganisms.

Methods: By conducting a meta-analysis of 361 observations from 138 sites worldwide, we explored the global patterns and associated drivers of biodiversity responding to tree plantations by comparing biodiversity levels in plantations and adjacent habitats (primary or secondary forests).

Results: Overall, the biodiversity (species richness) and abundance across multi-trophic levels in tree plantations was lower than that in primary forests, reached similar values to secondary succession, but varied with plantation and management regimes. Specifically, the biodiversity across multi-trophic levels in reforestation was higher than that in afforestation; the biodiversity in mixture, native species, and unmanaged plantations was higher than that in monoculture, exotic species, and managed plantations. The diversity of vertebrates, invertebrates, and plants in reforestation was lower than that in primary forests, while belowground biodiversity in reforestation showed no difference with primary forests. Invertebrate diversity in reforestation was lower than that in secondary succession, whereas plant diversity was higher than that in secondary succession. Moreover, the biodiversity in reforestation increased with reforestation age. Furthermore, structural equation models showed that aboveground faunal diversity in reforestation was driven by canopy coverage and plant diversity, reforestation affected belowground biodiversity mainly by changing soil organic carbon.

Main conclusions: Our findings suggesting that reforestation by planting mixed native species will be more beneficial to biodiversity, revealing that biodiversity in intensive managed plantations was significantly lower than restoration-oriented plantations, and highlighting that primary forests are not replaceable, but planted forests may be a reliable way to rapidly restore biodiversity.