Projects

BETA-FOR: Enhancing the structural diversity between patches for improving multidiversity and multifunctionality in production forests (FOR5375:)

SP6: Plant-Animal Interactions - pollination, parasitism and seed dispersal (PI, together with Ingolf Steffan-Dewenter & Heike Feldhaar) Alice Claßen (PI), Ingolf Steffan-Dewenter (PI), Clàudia Massó (PhD)

Our project investigates the impacts of forest homogenization on biodiversity and ecosystem functions. The decline in β-diversity due to increasing human activities has led to more uniform communities in landscapes. We will examine the role of structural diversity and natural disturbances in forests to understand their effects on biodiversity and multifunctionality. Through experimental approaches, we aim to develop guidelines for sustainable forest management to reverse the negative impacts of homogenization. Our goal is to establish a connection between β-diversity and multifunctionality to pave the way for long-term conservation strategies for forests.