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https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/9063
Title: | Mixed-species plantations of 'Eucalyptus' with nitrogen-fixing trees: A review | Contributor(s): | Forrester, David I (author); Bauhus, Jurgen (author); Cowie, Annette (author); Vanclay, Jerome K (author) | Publication Date: | 2006 | DOI: | 10.1016/j.foreco.2006.05.012 | Handle Link: | https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/9063 | Abstract: | Mixed-species plantations of 'Eucalyptus' with a nitrogen (N₂) fixing species have the potential to increase productivity while maintaining soil fertility, compared to 'Eucalyptus' monocultures. However, it is difficult to predict combinations of species and sites that will lead to these benefits. We review the processes and interactions occurring in mixed plantations, and the influence of species or site attributes, to aid the selection of successful combinations of species and sites. Successful mixtures, where productivity is increased over that of monocultures, have often developed stratified canopies, such that the less shade-tolerant species overtops the more shade-tolerant species. Successful mixtures also have significantly higher rates of N and P cycling than Eucalyptus monocultures. It is therefore important to select N₂-fixing species with readily decomposable litter and high rates of nutrient cycling, as well as high rates of N₂-fixation. While the dynamics of N₂-fixation in tree stands are not well understood, it appears as though eucalypts can benefit from fixed N as early as the first or second year following plantation establishment. A meta-analysis of 18 published studies revealed several trials in which mixtures were significantly (P < 0.001) more productive than monocultures, and no instances in which mixtures were less productive than monocultures. Regression analyses of such data were more informative than indices of relative yield, and were more informative in trials that contrasted four or more different species compositions. Thus replacement series examining compositions of 100:0, 67:33, 33:67, and 0:100 were more informative than minimalist 100:0, 50:50 and 0:100 series. | Publication Type: | Journal Article | Source of Publication: | Forest Ecology and Management, 233(2-3), p. 211-230 | Publisher: | Elsevier BV | Place of Publication: | Netherlands | ISSN: | 1872-7042 0378-1127 |
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: | 050101 Ecological Impacts of Climate Change 050102 Ecosystem Function 070502 Forestry Biomass and Bioproducts |
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: | 820101 Hardwood Plantations 960302 Climate Change Mitigation Strategies 960301 Climate Change Adaptation Measures |
Peer Reviewed: | Yes | HERDC Category Description: | C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal |
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Appears in Collections: | Journal Article |
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