The importance of forest biodiversity could increase with climate change

Forests fulfil many important functions for humanity, and do so particularly well if they contain many different tree species. At the same time, European forests could potentially provide more services than they do at the moment. These are the results of two new studies in which researchers from the Institute of Plant Sciences of the University of Bern were involved. Forests are very important for society: the wood grown is used for furniture, roof timbers and flooring in our houses; the trees take up carbon from the air and thus reduce ongoing climate change and they help to prevent soil erosion and regulate the water cycle. We also use forests for recreation, such as when we go for a walk or collect mushrooms. The basis for providing these benefits are a series of processes, known as functions: the trees photosynthesise, grow, produce seeds, defend themselves against insects and deer, fight off pathogens and protect themselves against drought. Nutrients are taken up by the trees and are then released when the trees die and are decomposed.