ForestInnov is a 25 ha (49 * 0.5 ha) experiment set up in 2019 in Ivory Coast, West Africa. Sixteen local species are tested in monoculture and over a gradient of functional diversity (2, 4, 8, 16 species mixture).

Aerial view of the 25ha experiment before the plantation

Design
The experiment consists of 49 plots of 0.5 ha. The plantation density is 3.5m * 3.5m, so that 441 are planted per plot.

Scheme of the experimental setup

Site characteristics

location	Forêt Classée de la Téné
former land use	Plantations of Gmelina
altitude	202 m
soil type	Luvisols (FAO)
area	25 ha
no of plots	49
plot size	5000 m2
no of trees planted	21609
planting date	2019
diversity variables	species richness functional diversity
diversity gradient	1, 2, 4, 8, 16 species
size species pool	16
species pool	Antiaris africana, Ceiba pentandra, Celtis zenkeri, Entandrophragma angolense, Eribroma oblongum, Gambeya africana, Guibourtia ehie, Khaya anthotheca, Mansonia altissima, Milicia excelsa, Nesogordonia papaverifera, Piptadeniastrum africanum, Pycnanthus angolensis, Ricinodendron heudelotii, Terminalia ivorensis, Triplochiton scleroxylon
contact person	Bruno Herault Fabrice Tieoule

Research
The main goals of this experimental site are the following:

• Set up a tree diversity experiment in West Africa
• Test mixture of indigeneous species that could be used by the National Forest Service for reforestation program
• Demonstrate the economic feasability of an innovative technical itinerary where local farmers are associated to cultivate the field during the first years

Extra information
For extra information you can send an e-mail to the contact persons or explore the publications:

• Messier C, Bauhus J, Sousa-Silva R, Auge H, Baeten L, Barsoum N, Bruelheide H, Caldwell B, Cavender-Bares J, Dhiedt E, Eisenhauer N, Ganade G, Gravel D, Guillemot J, Hall JS, Hector A, Hérault B, Jactel H, Koricheva J, Kreft H, Mereu S, Muys B, Nock CA, Paquette A, Parker JD, Perring MP, Ponette Q, Potvin C, Reich PB, Scherer-Lorenzen M, Schnabel F, Verheyen K, Weih M, Wollni M, Zemp DC (2021) For the sake of resilience and multifunctionality, let's diversify planted forests! Conservation Letters e12829 - https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12829