BIOTREE (Germany)

The BIOTREE experiment in Thuringia (Bechstedt, Kaltenborn, Mehrstedt) has been established in 2003/2004 and consists of three subexperiments: BIOTREE-SPECIES, focusing on species richness effects BIOTREE-FD, focusing on functional diversity effects, and BIOTREE-SIMPLEX, focusing on the effects of evenness on ecosystem functioning. Replicate forest communities were created based on the pool of local tree species and one exotic species. The main goals of the experiments are (1) quantifying the effects of tree diversity on key ecosystem processes, e.g., tree growth, long-term C sequestration, nutrient cycling, and structural characteristics, and (2) understanding the mechanisms of BDEF relationships and how forest management can influence them or ensure both economic and ecological sustainability.

Aerial view of the BIOTREE-FD experiment in Bechstedt (Picture taken by Kyle Kovach, 2017)

Design

BIOTREE-SPECIES

A diversity gradient was established by manipulating the number of species per plot. Each plot was subdivided in three subplots to accommodate a management treatment: (1) no management, (2) thinning according to close-to-nature forestry, and (3) thinning in plots in which 4 additional species adjusted to the site were planted. Trees were planted in monospecific cells of 8 m x 8 m. These cells were randomly distributed within a subplot, and this distribution was repeated in the two other subplots of the plot. Within a cell, the trees were planted on rows that were 2 m apart. The within-row distance between trees depends on the planted species. The subexperiment consists of two sites: Mehrsted (calcareous soil, 1-6 species per plot) and Kaltenborn (acidic soil, 1-4 species per plot).

The plots of BIOTREE-SPECIES at the Mehrsted and Kaltenborn sites and the within-plot design of a 4-species plot at the two sites

BIOTREE-FD

The BIOTREE-FD experiment has a gradient of tree functional diversity, at a constant number of tree species. All 25 plots contain 4 tree species, taken out of a total species pool of 16 species. The functional diversity of the plots - based on leaf type, light requirement, mean annual increment and litter C/N ratio - varies between very low and very high. Within each hexagonal plot, trees were planted in 44 monospecific round cells of 20 trees (planting distance 1 m x 2 m), i.e., 11 cells per tree species per plot.

The plots and within-plot design of BIOTREE-FD in Bechstedt

BIOTREE-SIMPLEX

In the BIOTREE-SIMPLEX experiment, a gradient of tree species evenness has been established, by using different abundances of four species. There are 36 plots in total, with three different evenness levels and two different densities, replicated twice. The evenness levels are (1) dominant (70:10:10:10), (2) co-dominant (30:30:30:10), and (3) even (25:25:25:25), with all possible abundance combinations of the four species. Planting distances in the low density treatment are 2 x 1.5m (80 individuals per plot), and 1 x 1.5m in the high density treatment (150 individuals per plot).

The plots and within-plot design of BIOTREE-SIMPLEX in Kaltenborn. An example of a high-density, co-dominant mixture is shown.

Site characteristics

BIOTREE-SPECIES (Mehrstedt) BIOTREE-SPECIES (Kaltenborn) BIOTREE-FD (Bechstedt) BIOTREE-SIMPLEX (Kaltenborn)

Country

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Biome

temperate

temperate

temperate

temperate

Latitude

51.27298552

50.77867877

50.8971517

50.78027264

Longitude

10.65373559

10.22259501

11.08238333

10.23156905

Soil type

Stagnic vertisols dominated by clay and silt on a limestone bedrock

Orthoeutric arenosols with loamy sand on a sandstone bedrock

Stagnic vertisols on a limestone bedrock

Orthoeutric arenosols with loamy sand on a sandstone bedrock

Former land use

grassland, then pasture

cropland till 1975, then grassland

pasture

pasture

Altitude

293 m

325 m

400 m

325 m

Design

patch-wise planting (8 m x 8 m), patches random within plot

patch-wise planting (8 m x 8 m), patches random within plot

patch-wise planting

stem-wise randomisation

Plot shape

rectangular

rectangular

hexagonal

rectangular

Plot size (m^2)

10368 m²

5952 m²

2436 m²

256 m²

Plant distance (m)

1, 1.5, 2 (in row), 2 (between)

1, 1.5, 2 (in rows), 2 (between)

1 (in row), 2 (between)

1 or 2 (in row), 1.5 (between)

Number of trees planted

137 612

31 096

22 000

4 140

Planting date

spring 2003

spring 2004

spring 2003

spring 2004

Diversity variables

species richness

species richness

functional diversity

species
evenness

Diversity gradient

1, 2, 4, 6 sp.

1, 2, 3, 4 sp.

very low - very high

low, mid, high

Size species pool

10

8

16

4

Species pool

Acer pseudoplatanus
Fagus sylvatica
Larix decidua
Pseudotsuga menziesii
Quercus petraea
Tilia cordata
Acer platanoides
Carpinus betulus
Fraxinus excelsior
Prunus avium

Fagus sylvatica
Picea abies
Pseudotsuga menziesii
Quercus petraea
Abies alba
Acer pseudoplatanus
Fraxinus excelsior
Sorbus aucuparia

Acer campestre
Acer platanoides
Acer pseudoplatanus
Betula pendula
Carpinus betulus
Fagus sylvatica
Fraxinus excelsior
Larix decidua
Pinus sylvestris
Populus tremula
Prunus avium
Quercus petraea
Sorbus aucuparia
Sorbus torminalis
Tilia cordata
Ulmus glabra

Acer campestre
Acer platanoides
Acer pseudoplatanus
Betula pendula
Carpinus betulus
Fagus sylvatica
Fraxinus excelsior
Larix decidua
Pinus sylvestris
Populus tremula
Prunus avium
Quercus petraea
Sorbus aucuparia
Sorbus torminalis
Tilia cordata
Ulmus glabra

Contact person

Michael Scherer-Lorenzen

Michael Scherer-Lorenzen

Michael Scherer-Lorenzen

Michael Scherer-Lorenzen

Email

michael.scherer@biologie.uni-freiburg.de

michael.scherer@biologie.uni-freiburg.de

michael.scherer@biologie.uni-freiburg.de

michael.scherer@biologie.uni-freiburg.de

Research

Studies will focus on the relationship between tree species richness, functional diversity or tree species evenness and soil properties, tree growth and mortality, herb layer diversity and composition, herbivory damage, and carbon sequestration. Regular inventories for height and diameter growth, crown sizes and mortality have been done every three years. Additional data sampling was done within the EU-projects BACCARA and FunDivEUROPE.

Extra information

Send an e-mail to the contact person, visit the experiment’s own website, or explore the publications that utilized data from this experiment.

PhD thesis

  • Kovach, K 2021 Measurements of canopy properties to reveal biodiversity-ecosystem function relationships in tree diversity experiments using UAV remote sensing. PhD thesis, University of Freiburg
  • Grossiord C 2014 Impact of tree species diversity on water and carbon relations in European forests. PhD thesis, University of Lorraine
  • Müller S 2014 Architectural light foraging syndromes of juvenile temperate broadleaved trees. PhD thesis, University of Freiburg
  • Hantsch L 2013 Tree diversity effects on species richness and infestation of foliar fungal pathogens in European tree diversity experiments. PhD thesis, Martin-Luther University Halle
  • Morath S 2013 Effects of tree species diversity on insect herbivory. PhD thesis, Royal Holloway University of London
  • Don A 2007 Carbon dynamics of young experimental afforestations in Thuringia. PhD thesis, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen

Research papers

  • Blondeel H, Guillemot J, Martin‐StPaul N, Druel A, Bilodeau‐Gauthier S, Bauhus J, … Baeten L 2024 Tree diversity reduces variability in sapling survival under drought. Journal of Ecology 112(5): 1164-1180 - https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2745.14294
  • Vázquez-González C, Castagneyrol B, Muiruri EW, Barbaro L, Abdala-Roberts L, Barsoum N, Fründ J, Glynn C, Jactel H, McShea WJ, Mereu S, Mooney KA, Morillas L, Nock CA, Paquette A, Parker JD, Parker, WC, Roales J, Scherer-Lorenzen M, Schuldt A, Verheyen K, Weih M, Yang B, Koricheva J 2024 Tree diversity enhances predation by birds but not by arthropods across climate gradients. Ecology Letters (27): e14427 - https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.14427
  • Zheng L, Barry KE, Guerrero-Ramírez NR, Craven D, Reich PB, Verheyen K, … Hautier Y 2024 Effects of plant diversity on productivity strengthen over time due to trait-dependent shifts in species overyielding. Nature communications 15(1): 2078 - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-46355-z
  • Depauw L, De Lombaerde E, Dhiedt E, Blondeel H, Abdala-Roberts L, Auge H, Barsoum N, Bauhus J, Chu C, Damtew A, Eisenhauer N, V. Fagundes M, Ganade G, Gendreau-Berthiaume B, Godbold D, Gravel D, Guillemot J, Hajek P, Hector A, Hérault B, Jactel H, Koricheva J, Kreft H, Liu X, Mereu S, Messier C, Muys B, Nock CA, Paquette A, Parker JD, Parker WC, Paterno, GB, Perring MP, Ponette Q, Potvin C, Reich PB, Rewald B, Scherer-Lorenzen M, Schnabel F, Sousa-Silva R, Weih M, Clara Zemp D, Verheyen K, Baeten L 2024 Enhancing Tree Performance Through Species Mixing: Review of a Quarter-Century of TreeDivNet Experiments Reveals Research Gaps and Practical Insights. Current Forestry Reports - https://doi.org/10.1007/s40725-023-00208-y
  • Desie E, Zuo J, Verheyen K, Djukic I, Van Meerbeek K, Auge H, Barsoum N, Baum C, Bruelheide H, Eisenhauer N, Feldhaar H, Ferlian O, Gravel D, Jactel H, Kappel Schmidt I, Kepfer-Rojas S, Meredieu C, Mereu S, Messier C, Morillas L, Nock C, Paquette A, Ponette Q, Reich PB, Roales J, Scherer-Lorenzen M, Seitz S, Schmidt A, Stefanski A, Trogisch S, van Halder I, Weih M, Williams LJ, Yang B, Muys B 2023 Disentangling drivers of litter decomposition in a multi-continent network of tree diversity experiments. Science of the Total Environment 857(3): 159717 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159717
  • FAO 2023 Towards more resilient and diverse planted forests. Unasylva (254)74: 2031/1. Rome. https://doi. org/10.4060/cc8584en
  • Cesarz S, Craven D, Auge H, Bruelheide H, Castagneyrol B, Gutknecht J, Hector A, Jactel H, Koricheva J, Messier C, Muys B, Brien MJO, Paquette A, Ponette Q, Potvin C, Reich PB, Scherer-Lorenzen M, Smith AR, Verheyen K, Eisenhauer N 2022 Tree diversity effects on soil microbial biomass and respiration are context dependent across forest diversity experiments. Global Ecology and Biogeography 31:872-885 - https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.13461
  • Shovon TA, Kang S, Scherer-Lorenzen M, Nock CA 2022 Changes in the direction of the diversity–productivity relationship over 15 years of stand development in a planted temperate forest. Journal of Ecology - https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2745.13855
  • Kwon T, Shibata H, Kepfer-Rojas S, Schmidt IK, Larsen KS, Beier C, Berg B, Verheyen K, Lamarque J-F, Hagedorn F, Eisenhauer N, Djukic I, TeaCompositionNetwork 2021 Effects of climate and atmospheric nitrogen deposition on early to mid-term stage litter decomposition across biomes. Frontiers in Forests and Global Change 4: 678480 - https://doi.org/10.3389/ffgc.2021.678480
  • Serrano-León H, Nitschke R, Scherer-Lorenzen M, Forrester DI 2021 Intra-specific leaf trait variability of F. sylvatica, Q. petraea and P. abies in response to inter-specific competition and implications for forest functioning. Tree Physiology 42, 253-272 - https://doi.org/10.1093/treephys/tpab109
  • 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
  • Matevski D, Schuldt A 2020 Tree species richness, tree identity and non-native tree proportion affect arboreal spider diversity, abundance and biomass. Forest Ecol Manag, 118775 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2020.118775
  • Patoine G, Bruelheide H, Haase J, Nock C, Ohlmann N, Schwarz B, Scherer-Lorenzen M, Eisenhauer N, 2020 Tree litter functional diversity and nitrogen concentration enhance litter decomposition via changes in earthworm communities. Ecology and Evolution 10, 6752-6768 - https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.6474
  • Kambach S, Allan E, Bilodeau-Gauthier S, Coomes D A, Haase J, Jucker T, Kunstler G, Muller S, Nock C, Paquette A, van der Plas F, Ratcliffe S, Roger F, Ruiz-Benito P, Scherer-Lorenzen M, Auge H, Bouriaud O, Castagneyrol B, Dahlgren J, Gamfeldt L, Jactel H, Kandler G, Koricheva J, Lehtonen A, Muys B, Ponette Q, Setiawan N, Van de Peer T, Verheyen K, Zavala M A, Bruelheid H 2019 How do trees respond to species mixing in experimental compared to observational studies? Ecology and Evolution 9: 11254-11265 - https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.5627
  • Grossman JJ, Vanhellemont M, Barsoum N, Bauhus J, Bruelheide H, Castagneyrol B, Cavender-Bares J, Eisenhauer N, Ferlian O, Gravel D, Hector A, Jactel H, Kreft H, Mereu S, Messier C, Muys B, Nock C, Paquette A, Parker J, Perring MP, Ponette Q, Reich PB, Schuldt A, Staab M, Weih M, Zemp DC, Scherer-Lorenzen M, Verheyen K 2018 Synthesis and future research directions linking tree diversity to growth, survival, and damage in a global network of tree diversity experiments. Environmental and Experimental Botany 152: 68-89 - doi: 10.1016/j.envexpbot.2017.12.015
  • Koricheva J, Hayes D 2018 The relative importance of plant intraspecific diversity in structuring arthropod communities: A meta-analysis. Functional Ecology 32: 1704-1717 - doi: 10.1111/1365-2435.13062
  • Alberti G, Nock C, Fornasier F, Scherer-Lorenzen M, De Nobili M, Peresotti A, Hönig L, Bruelheide H, Bauhus J 2017 Tree functional diversity influences belowground ecosystem functioning. Applied Soil Ecology 120: 160-168 - doi: 10.1016/j.apsoil.2017.07.038
  • Patoine G, Thakur MP, Friese J, Nock C, Hönig L, Haase J, Scherer-Lorenzen M, Eisenhauer N 2017 Plant litter functional diversity effects on litter mass loss depend on the macro-detritivore community. Pedobiologia - Journal of Soil Ecology 65: 29-42 - doi: 10.1016/j.pedobi.2017.07.003
  • Annighöfer P, Ameztegui A, Ammer C, Balandier P, Bartzsch N, Bolte A, Coll L, Collet C, Ewald J, Frischbier N, Gebereyesus T, Haase J, Hamm T, Hirschfelder B, Huth F, Kändler G, Kahl A, Kawaletz H, Kuehne C, Lacointe A, Lin N, Löf M, Malagoli P, Marquier A, Müller, Promberger S, Provendier D, Röhle H, Sathornkich J, Schall P, Scherer-Lorenzen M, Schröder J, Seele C, Weidig J, Wirth C, Wolf H, Wollmerstädt J, Mund M 2016 Species-specific and generic biomass equations for seedlings and saplings of European tree species. European Journal of Forest Research 135: 313-329 - doi: 10.1007/s10342-016-0937-z
  • Verheyen K, Vanhellemont M, Auge H, Baeten L, Baraloto C, Barsoum N, Bilodeau-Gauthier S, Bruelheide H, Castagneyrol B, Godbold D, Haase J, Hector A, Jactel H, Koricheva J, Loreau M, Mereu S, Messier C, Muys B, Nolet P, Paquette A, Parker J, Perring M, Ponette Q, Potvin C, Reich P, Smith A, Weih M, Scherer-Lorenzen M 2016 Contributions of a global network of tree diversity experiments to sustainable forest plantations. Ambio 45: 29-41 - doi: 10.1007/s13280-015-0685-1
  • Ampoorter E, Baeten L, Vanhellemont M, Bruelheide H, Scherer-Lorenzen M, Baasch A, Erfmeier A, Hock M, Verheyen K 2015 Disentangling tree species identity and richness effects on the herb layer: first results from a German tree diversity experiment. Journal of Vegetation Science 26: 742-755 - doi: 10.1111/jvs.12281
  • Domisch T, Finér L, Dawud SM, Vesterdal L, Raulund-Rasmussen K 2015 Does species richness affect fine root biomass and production in young forest plantations? Oecologia 177: 581-594 - doi: 10.1007/s00442-014-3107-3
  • Haase J, Castagneyrol B, Cornelissen JHC, Ghazoul J, Kattge J, Koricheva J, Scherer-Lorenzen M, Morath S, Jactel H 2015 Contrasting effects of tree diversity on young tree growth and resistance to insect herbivores across three biodiversity experiments. Oikos 124: 1674-1685 - doi: 10.1111/oik.02090
  • Schwarz B, Dietrich C, Cesarz S, Scherer-Lorenzen M, Auge H, Schulz E, Eisenhauer N 2015 Non-significant tree diversity but significant identity effects on earthworm communities in three tree diversity experiments. European Journal of Soil Biology 67: 17-26 - doi: 0.1016/j.ejsobi.2015.01.001
  • Paine CET, Amissah L, Auge H, Baraloto C, Baruffol M, Bourland N, Bruelheide H, Daïnou K, de Gouvenain RC, Doucet J-L, Doust S, Fine PVA, Fortunel C, Haase J, Holl KD, Jactel H, Li X, Kitajima K, Koricheva J, Martínez-Garza C, Messier C, Paquette A, Philipson C, Piotto D, Poorter L, Posada JM, Potvin C, Rainio K, Russo SE, Ruiz-Jaen M, Scherer-Lorenzen M, Webb CO, Wright SJ, Zahawi RA, Hector A 2015 Globally, functional traits are weak predictors of juvenile tree growth, and we do not know why. Journal of Ecology 103: 978-989 - doi: 10.1111/1365-2745.12401
  • Grossiord C, Gessler A, Granier A, Berger S, Bréchet C, Hentschel R, Hommel R, Scherer-Lorenzen M, Bonal D 2014 Impact of interspecific interactions on the soil water uptake depth in a young temperate mixed species plantation. Journal of Hydrology 519: 3511-3519 - doi: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2014.11.011
  • Hantsch L, Braun U, Haase J, Purschke O, Scherer-Lorenzen M, Bruelheide H 2014 No plant functional diversity effects on foliar fungal pathogens in experimental tree communities. Fungal Diversity 66: 139-151 - doi: 10.1007/s13225-013-0273-2
  • Pollastrini M, Holland V, Brüggemann W, Koricheva J, Jussila I, Scherer-Lorenzen M, Berger S, Bussotti F 2014 Interactions and competition processes among tree species in young experimental mixed forests, assessed with chlorophyll fluorescence and leaf morphology. Plant Biology 16: 323-331 - doi:10.1111/plb.12068
  • Grossiord C, Granier A, Gessler A, Scherer-Lorenzen M, Pollastrini M, Bonal D 2013 Application of Loreau & Hector’s (2001) partitioning method to complex functional traits. Methods in Ecology and Evolution 4: 954-960 - doi: 10.1111/2041-210X.12090
  • Hantsch L, Braun U, Scherer-Lorenzen M, Bruelheide H 2013 Species richness and species identity effects on occurrence of foliar fungal pathogens in a tree diversity experiment. Ecosphere 4: 81 - doi: 10.1890/ES13-00103.1
  • Lei P, Scherer-Lorenzen M, Bauhus J 2012 Belowground facilitation and competition in young tree species mixtures. Forest Ecology and Management 265: 191-200 - doi: 10.1016/j.foreco.2011.10.033
  • Lei P, Scherer-Lorenzen M, Bauhus J 2012 The effect of tree species diversity on fine-root production in a young temperate forest. Oecologia 169: 1105-1115 - doi: 10.1007/s00442-012-2259-2
  • Lei P, Bauhus J 2010 Use of near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy to predict species composition in tree fine-root mixtures. Plant and Soil 333: 93-103 - doi: 10.1007/s11104-010-0325-2
  • Don A, Rebmann C, Kolle O, Scherer-Lorenzen M, Schulze E-D 2009 Impact of afforestation-associated management changes on the carbon balance of grassland. Global Change Biology 15: 1990-2002 - doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2486.2009.01873.x
  • Scherer-Lorenzen M, Schulze E-D, Don A, Schumacher J, Weller E 2007 Exploring the functional significance of forest diversity: A new long-term experiment with temperate tree species (BIOTREE). Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics 9: 53-70 - doi: 10.1016/j.ppees.2007.08.002
Note

! Website of experiment does no longer exist

Mixed plots at the BIOTREE-FD experiment in Bechstedt (May 2014)