Old, broad-leaved stands support both high biodiversity and carbon storage in German forests

• DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.06.578731
• Publication Date: 2024-02-08T23:40:12Z
• Authors: K. Springer; P. Manning; A.L. Boesing; C. Ammer; A.M. Fiore-Donno; M. Fischer; K. Goldmann; G. Le Provost; J. Overmann; L. Ruess; I. Schöning; S. Seibold; J. Sikorski; M. Neyret
• Keywords: Temperate rainforest

Abstract Ecosystems worldwide face threats related to human-driven degradation, climate change, and biodiversity loss. Addressing these challenges requires management strategies that combine conservation with change mitigation. Here, we aimed identify local-scale actions promote at multiple trophic levels while also promoting carbon storage sequestration. We combined data on the diversity of nine taxonomic groups (plants, birds, moths, Mollusca, soil fungi, active bacteria, Cercozoan Endomyxan protists, Oomycotan nematodes), above- belowground in 150 temperate forest plots three regions Germany. These were dominated by European beech, pine, spruce oak. investigated relationships between structure variables, sequestration different types. Carbon was 32% higher uneven-aged than even-aged forests increased mean tree diameter, trees 15% stands. Mean diameter positively overall biodiversity, especially bird species richness specialist birds. Oak beech-dominated stands harboured conifers (especially Pine). One exception this plant plants, which highest plantations. Surprisingly, deadwood input did not significantly affect any group study. By showing older a high proportion broad-leafed trees, or oak-dominated forests, can both storage, our results could help inform sustainable Central Europe promotes storage. findings form basis further larger-scale studies investigating such relations larger spatial scales landscape-level recommendations for multifunctional management.