Objective	Douglas fir in Central Europe and South America: A cross-continental solution for integrative forest management or a potential threat for natural communities? (DouEurSAm – DFG)
Content	The overall objective of this research project is to increase our knowledge regarding global patterns of mixtures of non-native and native tree species by assessing its effect on native biodiversity and its invasive potential across continent, as well as quantifying the role of mixture on stand structure and productivity. Therefore, we will compare pure and mixed forest stands of Douglas fir with native broadleaved tree species. In Central Europe (Germany and Switzerland) Douglas fir is cultivated together with European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and in South America (Chile) together with several species of the genus Nothofagus, a broadleaved tree genus native to South America. The objective of my PhD research is to assess the effect of Douglas fir in pure and mixed stands on native biodiversity and its invasive potential. While knowledge on the effects of Douglas fir in pure and mixed stands on understory biodiversity is growing in Central Europe, evidence is completely missing for Chile. By conducting a systematic vegetation and regeneration sampling, we aim to assess general effects of Douglas fir on plant diversity and composition at different spatial scales by simultaneously taking into account local site conditions and habitat structure. In addition, we want to quantify different abiotic and biotic factors functioning as driver or barrier of Douglas fir establishment within and outside of Douglas fir pure and mixed forests.
Appropriation period	01.05.2025 - 30.04.2028
Funded by	DFG - German Research Foundation
Partners	University of Applied Forest Sciences Rottenburg, Germany; Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Switzerland; Chilean Forest Research Institute INFOR, Chile
Person in charge	Joceline Rose
Coordination	Prof. Dr. Dominik Seidel and Prof. Dr. Steffi Heinrichs
Publications	not available so far