Approaches taken

• Multi-taxa species and functional diversity have been assessed in 42 mixed and monoculture stands of oak (Quercus robur) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) in three different forested regions (Thetford Forest – Norfolk, the New Forest – Hampshire and numerous woodland across the Republic of Ireland). Taxonomic groups sampled include ectomycorrhizal fungi, bryophytes, vascular plants and arthropods of the forest floor and ground vegetation layers.

Artificial caterpillar used in insect predation studies

• Assessments of oak (Quercus robur), cherry (Prunus avium), sweet chestnut (Castanea sativum) and ash (Fraxinus excelsior) survival, growth, phenology and associated biodiversity have been conducted at experimental ‘Climate-match’ planting trials in Kent and the Midlands where these species are planted in single provenance and single species blocks but also in mixed provenance, mixed species blocks. Levels of foliar insect herbivore and fungal pathogen damage and insect predation have also been studied. Insect herbivores assessed include three different insect guilds: cynipid gall wasps (“gallers”), leaf miners, and leaf manipulators. The fungal pathogen studied is oak powdery mildew.

• Multi-taxa species and functional diversity have been assessed in monocultures and two-species mixtures of sessile oak (Quercus petraea), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), common alder (Alnus glutinosa), Norway spruce (Picea abies) and Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) at the Gisburn Experimental trials in Lancashire.

• A literature review has been completed reviewing the impacts on biodiversity of conversion of non-native conifer plantation monocultures to more structurally complex, native woodland. A survey has also been completed based on questionnaires circulated to woodland owners in Britain to better understand prevailing attitudes to the conversion of non-native to native woodland, the extent of conversion taking place and how this is achieved. This work is now summarised in an FC Research Note.

Publications

Peer Reviewed papers

Poeydebat, C., Jactel, H., Moreira, X., Koricheva, J., Barsoum, N., Bauhus, J., Eisenhauer, N., Ferlian, O., Francisco, M., Gottschall, F., Gravel, D., Mason, B., Muiruri, E., Muys, B., Nock, C., Paquette, A., Ponette, Q., Scherer-Lorenzen, M., Stokes, V., Staab, M., Verheyen, K. and Castagneyrol, B. (2020) Climate affects neighbour-induced changes in leaf chemical defences and tree diversity-herbivory relationships. Functional Ecology (in press)

Field, E., Castagneyrol, B., Gibbs, M., Jactel, H., Barsoum, N., Schönrogge, K. and Hector, A. (2020) Associational resistance to both insect and pathogen damage in mixed forests is modulated by tree neighbour identity and drought. Journal of Ecology  DOI: 10.1111/1365-2745.13397

Field, E., Schönrogge, K., Barsoum, N., Hector, A. and Gibbs, M. (2019) Individual tree traits shape insect and disease damage on oak in a climate‐matching tree diversity experiment. Ecology and Evolution, 9(15): 8524-8540.

Grossman, J.J., Vanhellemont, M., Barsoum, N., Bauhus, J., Bruelheide, H., Castagneyrol, B., Cavender-Bares, J., Eisenhauer, N., Ferlian, O., Gravel, D., Hector, A., Jactel, H. 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 doi: 10.1016/j.envexpbot.2017.12.015

Paquette, A., Hector, A., Castagneyrol, B., Vanhellemont, M., Koricheva, J., Scherer-Lorenzen, M., Verheyen, K., Abdala-Roberts, L., Auge, H., Barsoum, N. et al. (2018) A million and more trees for science. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 2: 763–766.

Bellamy, C., Barsoum, N., Cottrell, J.  and Watts, K. (2018) Encouraging biodiversity at all scales in support of resilient woodlands. Forestry Commission Research Note FCRN033. Forestry Commission, Edinburgh.

Suz, L.M., Kallow, S., Reed, K., Bidartondo, M.I. and Barsoum, N. (2017) Pine mycorrhizal communities in pure and mixed pine-oak forests: abiotic environment trumps neighboring oak host effects. Forest Ecology and Management, 406:370-380. DOI:https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2017.09.030

Barsoum, N., Coote, L., Eycott, A.E., Fuller, L. and Kiewitt, A. and Davies, R.G. (2016) Diversity, functional structure and functional redundancy of woodland plant communities: how do mixed tree species plantations compare with monocultures? Forest Ecology and Management, 382, 244-256.

Barsoum, N. and Henderson, L. (2016) Converting planted non-native conifer to native woodlands: a review of the benefits, drawbacks and experience in Britain. Forestry Commission Research Note 24. Forestry Commission, Edinburgh.

Verheyen, K., Vanhellemont, M., Auge, H., Baeten, L., Baraloto, C., Barsoum, N., Bilodeau-Gauthier, S. Bruelheide, H., Castagneyrol, B., Godbold, D., Haase, J., Hector, A., Jactel, H., Koricheva, J., Loreau, M., Mereu, S., Messier, C., Muys, B., Nolet, P., Paquette, A., Parker, J., Perring, M., Ponette, Q., Potvin, C., Reich, P., Smith, A. & Scherer-Lorenzen, M. (2016) Contributions of a global network of tree diversity experiments to sustainable forest plantations. Ambio 45(1): 29-41.

Barsoum, N., Fuller, L, Ashwood, F., Reed, K., Bonnet-Lebrun, A.-S. and Leung, F (2014) Ground-dwelling spider (Araneae) and carabid beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) community assemblages in mixed and monoculture stands of oak (Quercus robur L./Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). Forest Ecology and Management. 321: 29–41.

Conference Proceedings

Barsoum, N., Bonnet-Lebrun, A-S., Brunt, J., Eycott, A., Kallow, S., Kiewitt, A. and Bidartondo, M. (2012) ‘Multitaxon responses to a ‘diversification’ in the composition of forest stands as an adaptation measure to global environmental change’ Conference Proceedings ‘Tackling climate change: contribution of forest scientific knowledge’ Tours, France.

Barsoum, N., McCartan, S., Wilkinson, M., Morison, J., Cottrell, J., Hubert, J. and Ray, D. (2011). Increasing the adaptation potential of native tree species to climate change. Conference Proceedings Joint BES – Natural England Meeting ‘Adapting Conservation to a Changing Climate’ 11-12 January 2011, Charles Darwin House, London.

Barsoum, N., Williams, D., Straw, N., Jukes, M., Johnson, R., Bidartondo, M., Kiewitt, A. and Ibrahim, R. (2009). Consequences of increased stand structural complexity for floral diversity and the prevalence of insect pests in Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) stands. Conference Proceedings ‘Adapting Forest Management to Maintain the Environmental Services: Carbon Sequestration, Biodiversity, Water’. Koli National Park, Finland 21.9.-24.9.2009.