Fig. 1 - Douglas firs are attractive for forestry because of their fast growth, good wood properties and - in regard to climate change - their drought resistance. Photo: Thomas Reich (WSL)
Curse or blessing? Opinions are divided on non-native tree species. In addition to native species, many foresters also plant non-native species that can withstand the increasing summer drought. In various parts of Europe, the latter are already important suppliers of timber. However, conservationists fear ecological damage, for example if native species are displaced or tree pathogens and insect pests are introduced.
Now a team of European researchers, led by Thomas Wohlgemuth of the Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, has looked at the state of knowledge on the ecological consequences of alien tree species in Europe. They analysed the results of 103 studies on seven such species. All of these studies had investigated how stands dominated by non-native tree species affected biodiversity or soil condition under the trees compared to stands of native tree species. The organisms studied included plants, mosses, microorganisms and insects from the forest floor to the treetops
Alien organisms or non-native organims are organisms that do not naturally occur in Switzerland or in other EFTA and EU member states (according to the Ordinance on the Handling of Organisms in the Environment, Art. 3.f)
The following seven species were studied:
- Silver wattle (Acacia dealbata)
- Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
- Southern blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus)
- Black cherry (Prunus serotina)
- Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
- Northern red oak(Quercus rubra)
- North American Robinia (Robinia pseudoacacia)
Of these species, only the Douglas fir is currently planted in larger numbers in the Swiss forests (fig. 2). While foresters used to value its fast, straight growth and its versatile wood, today they appreciate its higher drought tolerance compared to spruce. Other species are problematic because they can spread uncontrollably. The North American Robinia, for example, is invasive and can displace native species (fig. 3). It was already introduced in Europe 400 years ago and used in Switzerland, among other things, to stabilise soils.
Fig. 2 - In Switzerland, Douglas fir is partly used for afforestation. However, large pure stands, such as those found in Germany, are prohibited here. Photo: Thomas Reich (WSL)
Fig. 3 - Robinia can spread rapidly and form stands as here in Valais. Photo: Thomas Reich (WSL)
Negative effects on biodiversity predominate
Across the 103 studies, the consequences of non-native species for biodiversity were negative. Comparisons from 20 studies show, for example, that on average fewer insect species live on and in Douglas fir than in spruce or beech stands (fig. 4). Robinia also reduces the diversity of insects, eucalyptus that of birds. This is hardly surprising, says Wohlgemuth. Because: "These results apply to comparisons between pure stands." In continuous, uniform plantations, many alien species clearly have worse impacts than native species.
Fig. 4 - Proportion of cases with significant increasing (green), significant decreasing (red) or neutral (grey) effects of the seven tree species non-native to Europe on different taxonomic groups in comparison to stands of native vegetation. Numbers of cases are shown next to the plant names, below the taxonomic groups and above the bars. Figure: Thomas Wohlgemuth et al., CC BY 4.0.
But alien species do not only have negative impacts. Most of them do not affect soil properties (fig. 5). The easily degradable needles of Douglas firs can even make more nutrients available than the poorly degradable spruce needles. "When it comes only to soil properties, the Douglas fir has no negative impact," Wohlgemuth says. In general, an equal number of studies found positive and negative effects of the seven non-native species on the soil.
Fig. 5 - Proportion of cases with significant increasing (green), significant decreasing (red) or neutral (grey) effects of the seven tree species non-native to Europe on soil properties in comparison to stands of native vegetation. Numbers of cases are shown next to the plant names, below the soil properties and above the bars. CEC = cation-exchange capacity. Figure: Thomas Wohlgemuth et al., CC BY 4.0.
Furthermore, it makes a difference whether the alien species are more closely or more distantly related to European tree species. "Tree species without closer relatives, such as eucalyptus and acacia from Australia, reduce species diversity more strongly across all studies than closely related species, such as Douglas fir and wild black cherry from North America," adds Martin Gossner, head of the WSL Forest Entomology Group and second author of the study.
It all depends on the management
Management has a significant influence on whether Douglas fir or other tree species are good or bad for a forest overall. Uniform and dense Douglas fir stands are unsuitable habitats for many organisms. However, the same is true for spruces, which have been planted extensively for timber production in lowland areas of Central Europe over the last 100 years. On the other hand, Douglas firs in stands of native forest trees, individually or in small groups, would hardly disturb the ecosystem, Wohlgemuth says: "We conclude that the impact on native biodiversity is low with mixed-in Douglas firs."
Should foresters plant non-native tree species or not? Despite certain negative aspects, Wohlgemuth does not recommend total renunciation. "Particularly in the case of Douglas fir, the facts show that moderate admixture in stands has little impact on native biodiversity, while at the same time preserving ecosystem services such as the production of construction timber. This is especially true when other, less drought-resistant conifers are increasingly lacking with regard to unchecked climate change."
Fig. 6 - Robinias are planted in Europe not only because of their weather-resistant wood, but also as ornamental trees because of their pretty blossoms. Photo: Thomas Reich (WSL)
Scientific original article
Wohlgemuth, T.; Gossner, M.M.; Campagnaro, T.; Marchante, H.; Van Loo, M.; Vacchiano, G.; Castro-Díez, P.; Dobrowolska, D.; Gazda, A.; Keren, S.; Keserű, Z.; Koprowski, M.; La Porta, N.; Marozas, V.; Nygaard, P.H.; Podrázský, V.; Puchałka, R.; Reisman-Berman, O.; Straigytė, L.; ... Silva, J.S., 2022: Impact of non-native tree species in Europe on soil properties and biodiversity: a review. NeoBiota, 78: 45-69. doi: 10.3897/neobiota.78.87022
