IUFRO Spotlight #66 - A forest mix may best address global change

A recent publication put together by members of IUFRO Research Group 1.09.00 (Ecology and Management of Mixed Forests) looks at the interplay among environmental drivers, social demands and forestry alternatives. It is the final outcome of a European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action that funded EuMIXFOR, said Dr. Andrés Bravo-Oviedo, of the Department of Biogeography and Global Change, National Museum of Natural Sciences, Spanish National Research Council and one of the editors of 'Dynamics, Silviculture and Management of Mixed Forests'.

"Even if we agree that mixed forests are the most resilient option to cope with changing conditions such as climate, we still know little about the response of mixtures," said Dr. Bravo-Oviedo, who is also coordinator of IUFRO RG 1.09.00. "Our publication gives some hints to help implement correct management of existing mixed forests and the creation of new ones."

For practitioners, the book offers different silvicultural methods, including regeneration and plantation designs for managing mixed-species forests. Students will be able to take advantage of recent research findings on forest dynamics, like growth and structure, and the public will be informed about the role of mixed forests in a changing world, he said.

Further reading:

• View all IUFRO Spotlights at https://www.iufro.org/media/iufro-spotlights/

Files:

spotlight66-mixed-forests.pdf443 Ki