ECOLINK - Linking plant traits and ecosystem services in tree stands

The following individual projects are part of ECOLINK:

• ECOLINK-Salix: The overal goal is here assessing the effects of genotype identity and diversity in willow short rotation coppice on various ecosystem functions and, ultimately, tree growth and yield stability (e.g. resistance to drought and pests). Particular focus lies on functions that are important for ecological sustainability, such as water and nutrient use, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity. In ECOLINK-Salix, we are testing the ecosystem consequences of adding individual genotypes of trees. We want to functionally and quantitatively explore how the heritable traits of some genotypes of Salix affect (1) ecosystem productivity, litter decomposition and soil carbon sequestration; (2) the abundance and structure of associated mycorrhiza communities; (3) the action of herbivorous insects; and (4) the diversity and function of understory vegetation. Watch this talk for a summary of our research on species or genotype identity vs. stand diversity in Salix biomass plantations for productivity and other ecosystem functions (26th IPC session, October 2021). ECOLINK-Salix is also part of TreeDivNet, which is a global network of tree diversity experiments.
• MixForChange: The overall objective of MixForChange was to promote mixed-species forest plantations as nature-based solutions to fight the causes and consequences of climate change, by providing science-based recommendations and guidelines endorsed by forest owners, managers and policy-makers. Using a global network of forest biodiversity experiments (TreeDivNet), we explored a mechanistic understanding of how tree diversity, species identities and management (thinning and fertilization) influence both the potential of mixed forest plantations to mitigate (e.g., carbon sequestration) and adapt (drought and herbivory resilience) to climate change.

Research output

K Verheyen, M Vanhellemont, H Auge, [---], M Weih et al. (2016) Contributions of a global network of tree diversity experiments to sustainable forest plantations. Ambio 45:  29-41.

S Hoeber, P Fransson, I Prieto-Ruiz, S Manzoni, M Weih (2017) Two Salix genotypes differ in productivity and nitrogen economy when grown in monoculture and mixture. Frontiers in Plant Science 8: 231.

J J Grossman, M Vanhellemont, N Barsoum, [---], M Weih et al. (2018) Synthesis and future research directions linking tree diversity to growth, survival, and damage in a global network of tree diversity experiments. Environmental and Experimental Botany 152:  68-89.

I Djukic, S Kepfer-Rojas, I Kappel-Schmidt, [---], M Weih, et al (2018) Early stage litter decomposition across biomes. Science of the Total Environment 628-629: 1369–1394. 

S Hoeber, C Arranz, N E Nordh, C Baum, M Low, C Nock, M Scherer-Lorenzen, M Weih (2018) Genotype identity has a more important influence than genotype diversity on shoot biomass productivity in willow short rotation coppices. GCB Bioenergy 10:  534-547.

A Paquette, A Hector, B Castagneyrol, M Vanhellemont, J Koricheva, M Scherer-Lorenzen, K Verheyen, [---], M Weih, et al (2018) A million and more trees for science. Nature Ecology & Evolution 2: 763-766.

C Baum, K Hrynkiewicz, S Szymańska, N Vitow, S Hoeber, P Fransson, M Weih (2018) Mixture of Salix genotypes promotes root colonization with dark septate endophytes and changes P cycling in the mycorrhizosphere. Frontiers in Microbiology 9:  1012.

M Weih, C Glynn, C Baum (2019) Willow Short-Rotation Coppice as Model System for Exploring Ecological Theory on Biodiversity–Ecosystem Function. Diversity 11:  8, 125. 

S Hoeber, P Fransson, M Weih, S Manzoni (2020) Leaf litter quality coupled to Salix variety drives litter decomposition more than stand diversity or climate. Plant and Soil 453: 313-328. 

M Weih, N - E Nordh, S Manzoni, S Hoeber (2021) Functional traits of individual varieties as determinants of growth and nitrogen use patterns in mixed stands of willow (Salix spp.). Forest Ecology and Management 479: 118605. 

C Messier, J Bauhus, R Sousa-Silva, [---], M Weih et al. (2021) For the sake of resilience and multifunctionality, let’s make plantations tree-species-diverse! Conservation Letters e12829. 

T Kwon, H Shibata, S Kepfer-Rojas, [---], M Weih et al. (2021) Effects of Climate and Atmospheric Nitrogen Deposition on Early to Mid-Term Stage Litter Decomposition Across Biomes. Frontiers in Forests and Global Change 4: 678480. 

S Hoeber, C Baum, M Weih, S Manzoni, P Fransson (2021) Site-dependent relationships between fungal community composition, plant genotypic diversity and environmental drivers in a Salix biomass system. Frontiers in Fungal Biology, section Fungi-Plant Interactions 2:  671270.

I Kollberg, M Weih, C Glynn (2021) The effect of willow diversity on insect herbivory and predation. Agricultural and Forest Entomology 24:  27-39. 

M Lindh, S Hoeber, M Weih, S Manzoni (2022) Interactions of nutrient and water availability control growth and diversity effects in a Salix two-species mixture. Ecohydrology e2401. 

K Hrynkiewicz, P Koczorski, B U Furtado, M Golebiewski, P Hulisz, D Thiem, C Baum, M Weih (2022) Mixed growth of Salix species can promote phosphate-solubilizing bacteria in the roots and rhizosphere. Frontiers in Microbiology 13: 1006722. 

E Desie, J Zuo, K Verheyen, [---], M Weih et al. (2023) Disentangling Drivers of Litter Decomposition in a Multi-Continent Network of Tree Diversity Experiments. Science of the Total Environment 857: 159717. 

L Bulascoschi Cagnoni, E Weidlich, J Guillemot, C Morselo, M Weih, A Adler, PH Santin Brancalion (2023) Stakeholders’ perspectives of species diversity in tree plantations: A global review. Current Forestry Reports 9: 251–262.

L Depauw, E De Lombaerde, E Dhiedt, [---], M Weih et al. (2024) Enhancing tree performance through species mixing: a 23-year TreeDivNet review revealing research gaps and practical insights. Current Forestry Reports 10: 1-20. 

H Blondeel, J Guillemot, N Martin-StPaul, [---], M Weih et al. (2024) Tree diversity reduces variability in sapling survival under drought. Journal of Ecology 112:  1164-1180. 

C Vázquez-González, B Castagneyrol, E Muiruri, C [---], C Glynn, [---], M Weih et al. (2024)  Tree diversity enhances predation by birds but not by arthropods across climate gradients. Ecology Letters 27:  e14427. 

J Jensen, P Fransson, C Baum, P Leinweber, K - U Eckhardt, M Weih (2024) Variety and site drive Salix mixture effects on soil organic matter chemistry and soil carbon accumulation. Forests 15: 1339. 

J Jensen, H Blondeel, J Guillemot,  [---], M Weih (2025) Diversity in resource use strategies promotes productivity in young planted tree species mixtures. Global Change Biology 31: e70493. 

A Bourdin, L Augusto, F-X Joly, [---], M Weih et al. (2025) Context dependency of tree diversity effects on standardized substrates decomposition: role of functional composition, mycorrhizal type and climatic conditions. Journal of Ecology 113: 3700-3716. 

R Werner, J Jensen, P Fransson, [---], M Weih (2025) Effects of tree species richness on topsoil carbon and fungal diversity in European planted mixed forests are modulated by environmental conditions. Geoderma 464: 117591. 

Y Lu, N Eisenhauer, G Patoine, [---], M Weih et al. (2026) Landscape effects on global soil pathogenic fungal diversity across spatial scales. Nature Communications 17: 1164. 

J Jensen, H Blondeel, C MacLaren, [---], M Weih (2026) Tree species diversity drives aboveground carbon sequestration through light-related trait shifts. Functional Ecology Online. 

PhD thesis: S. Hoeber (2019) Biodiversity-ecosystem function in a willow biomass production system. Acta Universitatis Agriculturae Sueciae 2019:67.

PhD thesis: J. Jensen (2025) Linking tree species diversity, productivity, and carbon sequestration in mixed-species forest plantations. Acta Universitatis Agriculturae Sueciae 
2025:41.