Abstract
There is increasing evidence complex forest structure and tree diversity correlates positively with the productivity of forest ecosystems. However, there is little quantitative information regarding the effect of these factors on stand productivity of northern temperate coniferous forests of Mexico. This study aimed to test the hypothesis tree diversity and canopy structure positively associates with forest productivity. Parameterization of tree diversity, stand structure and productivity were carried out on dasometric data from 36 permanent sampling plots re-measured in 1982, 1993, and 2004. Statistical analysis of stand parameters tested the null hypothesis. Statistical relationships revealed well-balanced canopy strata and imbalanced diameter structures positively correlated with stand productivity. Tree diversity was also positively linked with stand productivity, but the effect appeared to be most important in the early to intermediate stages of succession. Further research is required to understand the long-term effects of tree diversity and canopy structure on stand productivity. These preliminary observations stress the importance of prescribing silvicultural practices that maintain the three-dimensional structure of stands and diversity of forest canopies that aim to preserve ecosystem function, diversity, and productivity.
Highlights
Native forests with high tree species diversity are more productive than less diverse forest communities (Tilman et al, 1997)
Observations derived from this research reveal forest productivity can be optimized with silvicultural prescriptions that must aim to balance the mixture of pines and oaks, as well as to conserve the structural complexity in the vertical and horizontal dimensions of trees
Tree diversity should follow a well-balanced combination of species richness and abundance that resembles intermediate rather than a pioneer stage of tree succession, mimicking probably diversity-abundance structures predicted by broken stick models
Summary
Native forests with high tree species diversity are more productive than less diverse forest communities (Tilman et al, 1997). This finding is consistent across other plant communities; e.g., for American and European grasslands (Tilman et al, 1997; Hector et al, 1999). Native forests maintain high tree species diversity usually associated with structurally complex stands. Very young or old forest stands and plantations are featured by low tree diversity and structurally simple forests. Changes of habitat structure during stand development partially explain these forest features (Carey & Wilson, 2001)
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