Diversification of tree stands as a means to manage pests and diseases in boreal forests: myth or reality?

Abstract

Pure forest stands are widely believed to be more prone to pest outbreaks and disease epidemics than mixed stands, leading to recommendations of using stand diversification as a means of controlling forest pests and pathogens. We review the existing evidence concerning the effects of stand tree-species diversity on pests and pathogens in forests of the boreal zone. Experimental data from published studies provide no overall support for the hypothesis that diversification of tree stands can prevent pest outbreaks and disease epidemics. Although beneficial effects of tree-species diversity on stand vulnerability are observed in some cases, in terms of reductions in damage, these effects are not consistent over time and space and seem to depend more on tree-species composition than on tree-species diversity per se. In addition, while mixed stands may reduce the densities of some specialized herbivores, they may be more attractive to generalist herbivores. Given that generalist mammalian herbivores cause considerable tree mortality during the early stages of stand establishment in boreal forests, the net effect of stand diversification on stand damage is unlikely to be positive.