Abstract
Tropical tree plantations usually consist of a single exotic fast growing species, but recent research describes positive effects on ecosystem functions from mixed tropical tree plantations. In this review, we present the current knowledge of drought resistance of tropical mixed species plantations and summarize preliminary evidence from a tree biodiversity experiment in Panama. Converting mono-specific stands into mixed ones may improve stand stability and might reduce increasing abiotic and biotic disturbances due to climate change. However, little is known about the extent to which tropical tree species or tropical tree communities can resist increasing disturbances in the short term, e.g., water limitations due to increasing dry season intensity or length, or about their resilience after such disturbances and their capacity to adapt to changing conditions in the long term. Studies relating drought resistance and resilience to community diversity are missing. Further, we highlight the urgent need for a multifactorial manipulative throughfall reduction experiment in tropical environments. The outcome of such studies would greatly assist the forestry sector in tropical regions to maintain highly productive and ecologically sound forest plantations in a changing climate.
Highlights
Tropical tree plantations usually consist of a single exotic fast growing species, but recent research describes positive effects on ecosystem functions from mixed tropical tree plantations
Such traditional mono-specific plantations have supplied a range of goods and services by providing a forest-like habitat connecting fragmented forests, filtration of waste water and temporally sequestering high amounts of carbon [5], but there is rising concern about their environmental sustainability as they make only minor contributions to the restoration of ecological functions and biodiversity compared to mixed-species plantations containing native tree species [8]
We present the current knowledge on different water-use strategies of tropical forest tree species and how those strategies affect the drought resistance of mixed tropical tree plantations
Summary
Tropical forests are a key component of the Earth system covering about 19.5 million km of the terrestrial surface and containing 34% of the carbon stored in vegetation worldwide [1]. Most of these species originate from few genera (i.e., Pinus, Eucalyptus, Tectona, Gmelina and Acacia) and are exotic to most of the areas where they are cultivated [7] Such traditional mono-specific plantations have supplied a range of goods and services by providing a forest-like habitat connecting fragmented forests, filtration of waste water and temporally sequestering high amounts of carbon [5], but there is rising concern about their environmental sustainability as they make only minor contributions to the restoration of ecological functions and biodiversity compared to mixed-species plantations containing native tree species [8]. Most of the research in biodiversity experiments focused on ecological functioning in relation to overall productivity, and ecophysiological studies looking at the hydrological cycle are still scarce [22] the topic has been receiving more attention over the last two to three years
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
