title: Replacing monocultures with mixed-species stands: Ecosystem service implications of two production forest alternatives in Sweden.
abstract: Whereas there is evidence that mixed-species approaches to production forestry in general can provide positive outcomes relative to monocultures, it is less clear to what extent multiple benefits can be derived from specific mixed-species alternatives. To provide such insights requires evaluations of an encompassing suite of ecosystem services, biodiversity, and forest management considerations provided by specific mixtures and monocultures within a region. Here, we conduct such an assessment in Sweden by contrasting even-aged Norway spruce (Picea abies)-dominated stands, with mixed-species stands of spruce and birch (Betula pendula or B. pubescens), or spruce and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris). By synthesizing the available evidence, we identify positive outcomes from mixtures including increased biodiversity, water quality, esthetic and recreational values, as well as reduced stand vulnerability to pest and pathogen damage. However, some uncertainties and risks were projected to increase, highlighting the importance of conducting comprehensive interdisciplinary evaluations when assessing the pros and cons of mixtures.
authors.affiliation: Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, SLU, Box 49, Rörsjöv 1, 230 53, Alnarp, Sweden. adam.felton@slu.se.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Felton
authors.affiliation: Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, SLU, Box 49, Rörsjöv 1, 230 53, Alnarp, Sweden. urban.nilsson@slu.se.
authors.forename: Urban
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Nilsson
authors.affiliation: Skogforsk, Science Park, 751 83, Uppsala, Sweden. johan.sonesson@skogforsk.se.
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sonesson
authors.affiliation: Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, SLU, Box 49, Rörsjöv 1, 230 53, Alnarp, Sweden. annika.felton@slu.se.
authors.forename: Annika M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Felton
authors.affiliation: Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, SLU, 901 83, Umeå, Sweden. jean-michel.roberge@slu.se.
authors.forename: Jean-Michel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Roberge
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology, SLU, Box 7044, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden. thomas.ranius@slu.se.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ranius
authors.affiliation: Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, SLU, Box 49, Rörsjöv 1, 230 53, Alnarp, Sweden. martin.ahlstrom@slu.se.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahlström
authors.affiliation: Department of Forestry and Wood Technology, Linnaeus University, 351 95, Växjö, Sweden. johan.bergh@lnu.se.
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bergh
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology, SLU, Box 7044, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden. christer.bjorkman@slu.se.
authors.forename: Christer
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Björkman
authors.affiliation: Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, SLU, Box 7026, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden. johanna.boberg@slu.se.
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boberg
authors.affiliation: Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, SLU, Box 49, Rörsjöv 1, 230 53, Alnarp, Sweden. lars.drossler@slu.se.
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Drössler
authors.affiliation: Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, SLU, Box 49, Rörsjöv 1, 230 53, Alnarp, Sweden. nils.fahlvik@slu.se.
authors.forename: Nils
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fahlvik
authors.affiliation: Department of Forest Economics, SLU, Skogsmarksgränd, 901 83, Umeå, Sweden. peichen.gong@slu.se.
authors.forename: Peichen
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.affiliation: Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, SLU, Box 49, Rörsjöv 1, 230 53, Alnarp, Sweden. emma.holmstrom@slu.se.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Holmström
authors.affiliation: Department of Geography and Economic History, Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden. carina.keskitalo@umu.se.
authors.forename: E Carina H
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Keskitalo
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology, SLU, Box 7044, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden. maartje.klapwijk@slu.se.
authors.forename: Maartje J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Klapwijk
authors.affiliation: SLU, Skogsmarksgränd, 901 83, Umeå, Sweden. hjalmar.laudon@slu.se.
authors.forename: Hjalmar
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Laudon
authors.affiliation: SLU, Skogsmarksgränd, 901 83, Umeå, Sweden. tomas.lundmark@slu.se.
authors.forename: Tomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lundmark
authors.affiliation: Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, SLU, Box 49, Rörsjöv 1, 230 53, Alnarp, Sweden. mats.niklasson@nordensark.se.|Foundation Nordens Ark, Åby Säteri, 456 93, Hunnebostrand, Sweden. mats.niklasson@nordensark.se.
authors.forename: Mats
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Niklasson
authors.affiliation: SLU, Skogsmarksgränd, 901 83, Umeå, Sweden. annika.nordin@slu.se.
authors.forename: Annika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nordin
authors.affiliation: Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Luleå University of Technology, 971 87, Luleå, Sweden. maria.pettersson@ltu.se.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pettersson
authors.affiliation: Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, SLU, Box 7026, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden. jan.stenlid@slu.se.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stenlid
authors.affiliation: Department of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies, Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden. anna.stens@umu.se.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sténs
authors.affiliation: Asa Research Station, SLU, 360 30, Lammhult, Sweden. kristina.wallertz@slu.se.
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wallertz
mesh_terms: D057231:Climate Change; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D017753:Ecosystem; D005390:Fires; D016468:Forestry / Q000379:methods*; D010571:Pest Control; D013548:Sweden; D060753:Water Quality; D014919:Wind
keywords: Climate change adaptation; Ecosystem services; Forestry; Mixed-forest stand; Polyculture; Resilience