Coordination Funds

最近观察到的整个生态系统中β-多样性的持续丧失表明，斑块状景观中的群落日益同质，这主要是由土地利用强度增加引起的。生物多样性关系到许多生态系统的功能和稳定性。因此，β多样性的减少也会降低多功能性。为了评估同质化的影响并制定森林扭转其潜在负面影响的指导方针，我们将森林科学、生态学、遥感、化学生态学和统计学的专业知识结合起来，采用协作和实验的β多样性方法。具体来说，我们将讨论通过人工造林或自然干扰提高森林结构β复杂性（ESBC）是否会增加以前同质结构生产林的生物多样性和多功能性。我们的方法将确定观察到的同质化-多样性关系背后的潜在机制，并展示这些机制如何转化为对多功能的影响。在德国的11个森林场地中，我们选择了两个区域作为两种类型的小型“森林景观”。在其中一个地区，我们建立了ESBC治疗。在第二个控制区，我们将建立9个没有ESBC的补丁。通过全面抽样，我们将监测18个分类类群，测量21个生态系统功能，包括温带森林的关键功能。该统计框架将允许在不同的生物多样性水平（α-、β-、γ-多样性）上对多营养生物多样性（分类、功能和系统发育多样性）的不同方面进行量化，从而进行全面的生物多样性评估。为了结合整体多样性，我们将在18个分类群中应用多元多样性的概念。我们将使用和开发新的方法来量化和划分α-和β-尺度的多功能性。总之，我们的研究将预示着一个新的研究途径，即通过实验描述β多样性和多功能性之间的联系。此外，我们将帮助制定指导方针，改进造林概念和管理温带森林自然干扰的概念，扭转过去的同质化效应。

The recently observed consistent loss of β-diversity across ecosystems indicates increasingly homogeneous communities in patches of landscapes, mainly caused by increasing land-use intensity. Biodiversity is related to numerous ecosystem functions and stability. Therefore, decreasing β-diversity is also expected to reduce multifunctionality. To assess the impact of homogenization and to develop guidelines for forests to reverse its potentially negative effects, we combine expertise from forest science, ecology, remote sensing, chemical ecology and statistics in a collaborative and experimental β-diversity approach. Specifically, we will address the question whether the Enhancement of Structural Beta Complexity (ESBC) in forests by silviculture or natural disturbances will increase biodiversity and multifunctionality in formerly homogeneously structured production forests. Our approach will identify potential mechanisms behind observed homogenization-diversity-relationships and show how these translate into effects on multifunctionality. At eleven forest sites throughout Germany, we selected two districts as two types of small ‘forest landscapes’. In one of these two districts, we established ESBC treatments. In the second, the control district, we will establish nine patches without ESBC. By a comprehensive sampling, we will monitor 18 taxonomic groups and measure 21 ecosystem functions, including key functions in temperate forests, on all patches. The statistical framework, will allow a comprehensive biodiversity assessment by quantifying the different aspects of multitrophic biodiversity (taxonomical, functional and phylogenetic diversity) on different levels of biodiversity (α-, β-, γ-diversity). To combine overall diversity, we will apply the concept of multidiversity across the 18 taxa. We will use and develop new approaches for quantification and partitioning of multifunctionality at α- and β- scales. Overall, our study will herald a new research avenue, namely by experimentally describing the link between β-diversity and multifunctionality. Furthermore, we will help to develop guidelines for improved silvicultural concepts and concepts for management of natural disturbances in temperate forests reversing past homogenization effects.