Dr. Lukas Bärmann

Recent works on sustainable forest management in the face of global climate change suggested the establishment of mixed stands and more drought tolerant tree species in Central European forests. BioDiv aims to systematically evaluate possible implications that the admixing of different proposed drought-tolerant tree species into beech stands has on plant diversity (vascular plants and epiphytic mosses and lichen). Five different tree species and tree species mixtures respectively (Douglas fir, silver fir, sessile oak, northern red oak and a mixture of acer, linden, common hornbeam and wild service tree) will be tested with European beech in different mixing ratios. Additionally, multiple site characteristics relevant to silviculture will be considered, such as altitude, soil chemistry and water regime. BioDiv's ultimate aim is to support forest owners and policy makers in conserving the plant diversity of Central European forests as they further adapt their management strategies to altering climate conditions.