A major international research confirms that mixed‑species forestry enhances productivity, increases carbon sequestration and strengthens forest resilience, offering a practical pathway for climate‑smart land management.
The study, published in Global Change Biology and led by Dr Joel Jensen of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Centre, synthesised long‑term field trials from 21 tree diversity experiments worldwide, including plots established at The University of Western Australia Farm Ridgefield in Pingelly in 2009. Co‑authors include Dr Michael Perring of The UWA Institute of Agriculture and the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Dr Rachel Standish (Adjunct at UWA and Professor at Murdoch University), and collaborators from the Americas and Asia. The dataset comprised growth records from more than 83,000 trees.
Analysis showed that both mean productivity and the consistency of growth increased with tree species diversity, with mixtures of four to five species delivering the largest gains in young planted stands. Productivity benefits were driven principally by fast‑growing, acquisitive species that performed well when established alongside slower‑growing, conservative species capable of tolerating competitive conditions.
“By combining contrasting resource‑use strategies, forests with more species were not only more productive but also more stable,” Dr Perring said. “Fast‑growing species drove productivity, while slower‑growing species coexisted without major losses.”
The authors identify functional diversity — the range of strategies species use to capture and use light, water and nutrients — as the primary mechanism behind the productivity effect. Structural differences such as tree height and crown architecture had a smaller, more context‑dependent influence.
“These results show that combining contrasting resource‑use strategies enhances forest productivity,” Dr Jensen said. “It shows that mixed‑species forestry can be a sustainable management approach with real climate benefits.”
The paper frames these findings in applied terms for forest design and policy. Incorporating species mixtures can increase carbon storage, improve resilience to stressors such as drought and herbivory, and contribute to sustainable forestry objectives without sacrificing yield.
“Incorporating species mixtures can boost carbon storage, improve resilience to environmental stressors such as drought and herbivory and support sustainable forestry goals,” Dr Perring said. The research provides an evidence‑based framework for planting schemes that prioritise functional complementarity to build resilient, productive and climate‑smart forests.
