Biodiversity and ecosystem services in forest ecosystems: a research agenda for applied forest ecology

Abstract

Summary Given the substantial contributions of forest biodiversity and ecosystem services to society, forest sciences have a large potential to contribute to the integrity and sustainability of our future. This is especially true when the roles of biodiversity for sustaining ecosystem services are considered. The rapid expansion of sustainable forest management (SFM) has resulted in the adoption of various forest management frameworks intended to safeguard biodiversity. Concurrently, the importance of forest ecosystem services has been increasingly recognized. Although some initiatives aimed at conserving both biodiversity and ecosystem services are emerging, knowledge gaps still exist about their relationships and potential trade‐offs in forests. Given recent advancements, increasing opportunities and some lags in forest ecology, further research on biodiversity, ecosystem functions and services will play substantial roles in the development of SFM practices. Here, we identified key issues including (i) relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem function as a foundation of ecological integrity, (ii) resilience thinking to better prepare for and adapt to environmental changes, (iii) social–ecological perspectives that facilitate real‐world conservation and management and (iv) theory‐driven restoration that bridges science and practice. Thus, we illustrate priorities and future possibilities in applied ecology studies in forests, which will help society and ecosystems to build capacity and resilience to face uncertainty in the changing environment. Synthesis and applications. Under substantial human influences, forests are highly likely to be largely altered, potentially leading to the emergence of novel ecosystems or alternative stable states. Management thus needs more flexible, novel measures to address the significant uncertainty this generates. Resilience‐based approaches are important to respond adaptively to future changes and cope with surprises, potentially providing multiple options. Although challenges exist, theory should play an important role in managing, conserving and restoring forest ecosystems. The issues discussed here should receive further attention in the context of the multiple goals of sustainable forest management.

Forest biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and the provision of ecosystem services

“…1). There is clearly a need for more research in this area to enable evidence-based advice for forest management and policy to enhance the provision of ecosystem services (see also Mori et al 2017).…”

“…However, empirical studies that establish quantitative and causal relationships between forest biodiversity and ecosystem services are lacking for many important ESs (Mori et al 2017). For example, focusing only on the effect of tree…”

“…Collectively, these trends in forest cover and condition are a major concern, not only because of the implications for the conservation of biodiversity, but also because forests provide a wide range of critically important ecosystem services such as climate regulation, biomass production, water supply and purification, pollination, and the provision of habitats for forest species Thompson et al 2011;Brockerhoff et al 2013;Decocq et al 2016;Liang et al 2016;Mori et al 2017). There is also increasing evidence that the provision of ecosystem services is related to aspects of biodiversity; there is a positive relationship between biodiversity and most ecosystem services (e.g., Hooper et al 2005;Balvanera et al 2006;Isbell et al 2011;Gamfeldt et al 2013).…”

Deer herbivory affects the functional diversity of forest floor plants via changes in competition‐mediated assembly rules

“…However, to restore and conserve plant diversity, it may be necessary to control the intensity of herbivory by opening/closing the fences, rather than completely eradicating deer herbivory. Therefore, adaptive management and restoration grounded on a mechanistic understanding of ecosystem processes (Mori et al 2016b) are needed to adequately manage the deer population and its impact on plant diversity.…”

Comparison of ecosystem services from mixed against monospecific forests in the Southwest Germany: A survey on public perception

“…While peer-reviewed literature indicate higher productivity in mixed species stands [42], respondents perceived productivity to be rather equal or worse in mixed compared to monospecific stands. A series of studies have exposed that higher biodiversity in forests promotes the functionality of ecosystems, such as primary production, decomposition, nutrient cycling and trophic interaction; thus, ensuring a better provision of ecosystem services, including food production, climate regulation, enhanced vitality, among others [7,19,20,[43][44][45]. As a result, there is a growing trend for increasing the cover of mixed forests as a climate change adaptation strategy in Germany [46].…”