Cross-country patterns of compositional and structural forest diversity across European regions

Moreno-Fernández, Daniel (avtor), Adame, Patricia (avtor), Breidenbach, Johannes (avtor), Cañellas, Isabel (avtor), Fischer, Christoph (avtor), Korhonen, Kari T. (avtor), Máslo, Jan (avtor), Oliveira, Nerea (avtor), Redmond, John J. (avtor), Riedel, Thomas (avtor), Skudnik, Mitja (avtor), Alberdi, Iciar (avtor)

Forest diversity is a multidimensional concept comprising different components such as species diversity, functional diversity, structural diversity and genetic diversity. These diverse elements are recognised as being connected to the health and functioning of forest ecosystems and human well-being. However, information on forest diversity at broad spatial scales is scarce. Thus, the primary goal of this study is to quantify compositional diversity (i.e., tree species heterogeneity) and structural diversity (i.e., tree size heterogeneity) across a wide climatic gradient in European forest ecosystems, while also examining the influence of forest attributes and climatic variables on these two key components of forest diversity. Using harmonised data from eight European National Forest Inventories (n = 146,235 plots), we calculated Shannon’s Diversity Index as a measure of compositional and structural diversity. Finally, we estimated measures of forest diversity at three spatial scales (α, β and γ-diversity) for each country. Basal area was positively related to compositional and structural diversity. In contrast, the quadratic mean diameter of the trees in each plot presented both positive and negative relationships with compositional and structural diversity, respectively. Climatic variables played a minor role, with precipitation and temperature showing a positive association with forest compositional and structural diversity. Furthermore, our findings revealed a positive link between compositional and structural diversity. Finally, the compound analyses of α, β, and γ-diversity emerged as key elements in interpreting compositional patterns at landscape scale. Results revealed strong scale dependence (from local to landscape level) in diversity metrics across countries, thereby highlighting the importance of reporting national forest information at multiple spatial scales.

• Jezik: Angleški jezik
• Ključne besede: biodiversity, conservation, global change, forestry, monitoring
• Vrsta gradiva: Članek v reviji
• Tipologija: 1.01 - Izvirni znanstveni članek
• Organizacija: BF - Biotehniška fakulteta
• Status publikacije: Objavljeno
• Različica publikacije: Objavljena publikacija
• Datum objave: 26.05.2026
• Leto izida: 2026
• Št. strani: 15 str.
• Številčenje: Vol. 145, article no. 74
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-183250
• UDK: 630
• ISSN pri članku: 1612-4677
• DOI: 10.1007/s10342-026-01909-2
• COBISS.SI-ID: 280990211
• Datum objave v RUL: 09.06.2026

Gradivo je del revije

• Naslov: European journal of forest research (Internet)
• Skrajšan naslov: Eur. j. for. res.
• Založnik: Springer
• ISSN: 1612-4677
• COBISS.SI-ID: 512515865

Licence

• Licenca: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Priznanje avtorstva 4.0 Mednarodna
• Povezava: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.sl
• Opis: To je standardna licenca Creative Commons, ki daje uporabnikom največ možnosti za nadaljnjo uporabo dela, pri čemer morajo navesti avtorja.

Sekundarni jezik

• Jezik: Slovenski jezik
• Ključne besede: gozdarstvo, biotska raznovrstnost, ohranjanje narave, globalne spremembe

Projekti

• Financer: EC - European Commission
• Številka projekta: 101056907
• Naslov: Towards an Integrated Consistent European LULUCF Monitoring and Policy Pathway Assessment Framework.
• Akronim: PathFinder

• Financer: EC - European Commission
• Številka projekta: 101134991
• Naslov: Co-creating a blueprint of a harmonised European Forest Multifunctionality Monitoring System - MoniFun
• Akronim: MoniFun