This textbook offers a detailed overview of the current state of knowledge concerning the
ecology and management of compositionally and structurally diverse forests. It provides answers
to central questions such as: What are the scientific concepts used to assess the growth
dynamics and functioning of mixed-species forests how generalizable are they and what kind of
experiments are necessary to develop them further? How do mixed-species stands compare with
monocultures in relation to productivity wood quality and ecological stability in the face of
stress and disturbances? How are the effects of species mixtures on ecosystem functioning
influenced by the particular species composition site conditions and stand structure? How
does any over- or underyielding at the forest-stand level emerge from the tree and organ level
and what are the main mechanisms behind mixing effects? How can our current scientific
understanding of mixed-species forests be integrated into silvicultural concepts as well as
practical forest management and planning? Do the ecological characteristics of mixed-species
stands also translate into economic differences between mixtures and monocultures? In addition
the book addresses experimental designs and analytical approaches to study mixed-species
forests and provides extensive empirical information general concepts models and management
approaches for mixed-species forests. As such it offers a valuable resource for students
scientists and educators as well as professional forest planners managers and consultants.
