Why are mixed-species forests better than monocultures for climate change?

Mixed-species forests are more resilient to stresses like drought and pests, store more carbon, and support greater biodiversity compared to monoculture plantations.

What did the BiodiversiTREE experiment find about tree growth?

The BiodiversiTREE experiment showed that trees grown in mixed species plots are up to 80% larger than the same species grown alone.

How can new 'Functional Forests' projects help?

Functional Forests intentionally design species combinations to provide ecological benefits alongside timber and other human-needed services, balancing diverse goals.

Home / Environment / Planting Forests, Not Just Trees, for a Greener Future

Planting Forests, Not Just Trees, for a Greener Future

24 Apr

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Summary

Mixed-species forests grow faster and are more resilient than monocultures.
BiodiversiTREE experiment shows mixed plots support dramatically more biodiversity.
Global experiments confirm mixed forests store more carbon and withstand stress.

Planting Forests, Not Just Trees, for a Greener Future

Globally, plans to plant over a trillion trees this decade aim to mitigate climate change and biodiversity loss. Yet, many initiatives prioritize monoculture plantations, which are prone to failure from drought or pests. Scientific evidence now strongly supports a different approach: mixed-species plantings that replicate natural forest diversity.

Research, including the Smithsonian's BiodiversiTREE experiment, has rigorously tested this concept. Over a decade, trees in mixed forests have shown superior growth rates, outperforming monoculture counterparts by up to 80%. These diverse plots also support significantly more biodiversity and insects, while monocultures often become biological deserts.