南泥湾片段森林蝗虫群落多样性比较

应用多样性指数、排序和多元逐步回归分析方法比较了南泥湾片断化森林的蝗虫群落结构,并进行了环境因素的解释。结果显示：在南泥湾,树木破坏不严重的片断化森林,随森林面积的减小,林缘草层蝗虫种类、多样性指数和均匀度指数差异不大;林中草层蝗虫密度、多样性指数和均匀度指数减小。在面积小、树木破坏严重、植被结构发生明显改变的片断森林林中草层,相对于树木破坏不严重的片断化森林,蝗虫的密度、多样性指数和均匀度指数明显增大;而林缘草层蝗虫的密度和群落优势度指数上升,多样性指数和均匀度指数下降。以主分量分析方法可明显将林中草层蝗虫群落分为森林破坏严重和不严重两种类型。通过多元逐步回归分析发现,影响片断化森林蝗虫群落结构和多样性的主要因素有片断森林面积、森林植被结构的复杂性、食料植物的多少等几个方面。     

吉林蛟河阔叶红松林木本植物物种多样性及群落结构与生产力的关系

该研究以吉林蛟河阔叶红松林为分析对象,比较了物种多样性和群落结构对生产力的影响,试图为解释多样性-生产力关系、指导森林经营管理提供科学依据。研究利用11.76 hm~2大样地中10 973株木本植物数据,通过线性回归模型分析了7个物种多样性和群落结构指标与生产力的相关性,进而利用结构方程模型比较了物种多样性和群落结构对生产力的影响。结果显示:(1)在线性回归模型中,物种多样性和群落结构均对生产力有显著作用,其中物种多样性均匀度指数与生产力显著负相关,群落结构的香农指数与生产力显著正相关,基尼系数与生产力显著负相关。(2)在结构方程模型中,群落结构对生产力的影响比物种多样性更强。研究认为群落结构对生产力的作用比物种多样性更大,在森林经营管理中,提高群落结构复杂性对促进生产力具有重要的意义。     

庙岛群岛典型植物群落物种、功能、结构多样性及其对环境因子的响应

海岛植被在全球生物多样性研究中起重要作用,研究海岛植被多样性对于理解海陆相互作用下植物群落的多样性维持机制有重要意义.本研究以庙岛群岛的麻栎群落、刺槐群落、黑松群落、荆条群落4种典型植物群落为对象,采用物种多样性指数、功能多样性指数和结构多样性指数,在群落尺度上探讨了海岛典型植物群落物种、功能、结构多样性间的关系及其对环境因子的响应.结果表明: 黑松群落的物种丰富度与Rao指数高于刺槐群落与麻栎群落,而结构多样性却较低;荆条灌丛的物种、结构多样性均低于森林群落,而功能多样性高于部分森林群落.物种丰富度与Rao指数以及树高多样性间呈显著正相关,与功能均匀度呈显著负相关.结构多样性主要由坡度决定且与坡度呈负相关;功能均匀度与坡度呈正相关,而功能异质性、功能离散度和物种多样性则更多地受土壤理化性质的影响,与土壤容重及土壤总碳呈正相关,与土壤含水率呈负相关.总体而言,庙岛群岛的植物群落多样性格局既有与大陆植被相似的特征,但也有其海岛特殊性.     

贵州部分森林群落物种多样性初步研究

 本文根据贵州省178个森林群落样地的数据研究了群落物种的多样性。测定的指标有群 落物种丰富度,群落Simpson多样性指数和群落均匀度。测定结果表明;不同垂直带生物气 候条件下的森林群落有不同的多样性。相同垂直带生物气候条件下,基质生境相同时,不同森林植被亚型的群落的多样性近似,基质生境不同时,群落多样性则不同;同一群落类型的各个样地的多样性也有变化,结构不同的群落个体,其多样性指数不同,演替趋势也不同。乔木第二亚层的多样性普遍地高于乔木第一亚层。同一演替系列中,越接近顶极阶段多样性越高。多样性指数与群落物种丰富度,均匀度呈紧密的正相关,与群落个体总数没有相关。认为多样性测定在比较、说明群落的结构、类型、组织特征、生境、演替等方面有一定意义。     

山西历山国家级自然保护区猕猴栖息地森林群落物种多样性

在对山西历山国家级自然保护区猕猴栖息地森林群落进行数量分类的基础上,运用丰富度指数、物种多样性指数和均匀度指数方法对该地区森林群落的物种多样性进行了研究,并分析了森林群落各层片之间的物种多样性的相关性。结果表明:(1)栖息地森林12个群丛的丰富度指数、物种多样性指数和均匀度指数能够较好地反映各群落多样性变化规律。(2)栖息地森林群落的Patrick丰富度指数(R)与Shannon多样性指数(H)、Hill多样性指数(N1和N2)、Alatalo均匀度指数(E)和Pielou均匀度指数(Jsw)变化趋势基本一致,而Simpson多样性指数(λ)与H的变化呈相反趋势。(3)栖息地森林群落内乔、灌和草3层的丰富度指数、物种多样性指数和均匀度指数表现出多样化的趋势。各层片的丰富度指数和物种多样性指数总体上呈现草本层乔木层灌木层,但各片层的均匀度指数存在差异,其中灌木层的均匀度指数差异较大,而乔木层和草本层均匀度在各群落间差异较小。     

南亚热带森林演替过程中土壤线虫群落结构变化

森林演替会通过改变植物群落组成和土壤环境影响土壤生物群落, 反过来, 土壤生物群落的变化也会对生态系统的演替产生反馈作用, 但迄今南亚热带森林演替过程中土壤生物群落的变化特征尚不清晰。本研究以广东省鼎湖山的南亚热带森林演替序列(马尾松(Pinus massoniana)林-针阔叶混交林-季风常绿阔叶林)为对象, 研究了森林演替过程中土壤线虫多样性和群落结构的动态变化及其影响因素。通过采集不同演替阶段的土壤样品, 分析和比对了不同演替阶段土壤线虫的多度、多样性、群落组成、土壤线虫生态指数以及土壤理化性质的差异。结果表明: (1)在南亚热带森林演替过程中, 针阔叶混交林和季风常绿阔叶林土壤线虫的α多样性显著高于马尾松林, 但土壤线虫总数和各营养类群多度及其相对丰度并无显著变化; (2)针阔叶混交林中土壤线虫富集指数显著高于马尾松林, 表明其土壤养分状况要好于马尾松林, 而季风常绿阔叶林土壤线虫结构指数较高, 表明其受干扰程度较低; (3)针阔叶混交林的土壤含水量和土壤理化性质(除土壤总磷含量)已达到季风常绿阔叶林的水平, 但两者的土壤pH值均显著低于马尾松林, 而土壤pH值和土壤含水量是影响土壤线虫群落动态变化的主要因素。综上所述, 南亚热带森林中土壤线虫多度、多样性和群落结构对森林演替的响应略有不同, 演替过程中土壤环境因素的趋同是导致针阔叶混交林和季风常绿阔叶林中土壤线虫多样性和群落特征相似的主要原因。     

深圳南山区天然森林群落多样性及演替现状

对南山区5个主要天然森林群落(铁榄群落、鼠刺 降真香群落、鸭脚木群落、假苹婆群落、水翁 假苹婆群落)的组成结构及物种多样性进行分析,并与相邻的香港地区地带性森林群落(黄桐群落)作比较。结果表明,依照亚热带及南亚热带森林群落演替规律,南山区天然林处于不同的演替发育阶段：铁榄群落处于演替第3阶段;鼠刺 降真香群落处于第4阶段;其它3个群落处于第5阶段,均未达到稳定的顶极群落阶段。随着铁榄群落、鼠刺 降真香群落、鸭脚木群落、假苹婆群落、水翁 假苹婆群落这个演替序列,物种丰富度的变化规律是：先逐渐上升,到达一个峰值,再缓慢下降。Shannon-Wiener指数和Pielous均匀度指数的变化规律与物种丰富度相同,Simpson指数变化曲线与这些指数相反。但这些指数反映的结果是一致的。综合多个指数分析,鸭脚木群落物种多样性最大,即当群落中阳生性树种与中生性树种优势度相差不大时。群落具有最大的物种多样性。多样性比较结果显示,南山森林群落物种多样性大大低于香港黄桐群落。5个群落的Shannon—Wiener指数在2．04～2．953之间,明显低于黄桐群落,其Shannon—Wiener指数为4．74;Simpson指数0．1～0．268,黄桐群落为0．05;Pielous均匀度指数64．2％～74％,黄桐群落为79％。南山森林群落物种多样性水平低下的状况与长期的人类干扰有关,必须尽快采取“封山育林”等相应措施来促进群落的保护和恢复。     

湖南八大公山亮叶水青冈群落物种多样性的研究

群落物种多样性指数以及群落均匀度、丰富度等指标均能较好地反映亮叶水青冈群落的类型划分、群落结构、生境等特性。也能体现出该群落结构组成的特殊性。群落种多度分布说明此群落富集种少、稀疏种多,而且这些种的多度有一定的规律性的特征。通过研究说明物种多样性定量指标对于深入研究森林群落的特性具有重要的意义     

天目山常绿落叶阔叶林群落垂直结构与群落整体物种多样性的关系

以浙江省天目山1 hm²常绿落叶阔叶混交林样地调查数据为基础,运用K-means聚类方法将DBH≥1 cm的个体根据树高划分为不同林层,研究比较了各个林层的物种多样性特点;利用通径分析方法和决策系数定量计算各个林层物种多样性对群落整体物种多样性的直接作用和间接作用,天目山常绿落叶阔叶林垂直结构对群落物种多样性构成的影响。结果表明：（1）天目山常绿落叶阔叶林群落层次结构丰富,树高由1.4-36.5 m依次可分为灌木层、亚冠层、林冠下层、林冠中层和林冠上层。（2）天目山常绿落叶阔叶林群落从灌木层依次往向上,物种丰富度、多度、特有种数量、Shannon-Weiner指数和Simpson指数均呈下降趋势。（3）灌木层对群落物种多样性的贡献最大且远高于其他四个林层,其中灌木层对群落整体物种多样性Shannon-Wiener指数、Pielou指数以及Simpson指数的决策系数分别为0.850、0.651、0.755。（4）林冠下层、林冠中层和林冠上层密度的大小对灌木层的物种数目有明显的影响,林冠层密度越大,灌木层群落的物种数目越少,复杂程度越低;偶见种和稀有种对群落物种多样性的维持具有特殊作用。综上,研究认为森林群落的垂直结构在维持森林群落整体物种多样性中具有关键作用,而灌木层在群落整体物种多样性构成中具有决定作用,森林群落中稀有种、偶见种多少在群落物种多样性构成中具有特殊作用。     

浙江仙居俞坑森林群落物种多样性研究

分别采用物种丰富度、物种多样性指数和群落均匀度指标对浙江省仙居县俞坑森林群落的物种多样性进行测定和分析。结果表明：本木植物的物种多样性以生境优越的常绿阔叶林为高,木本植物的物种丰富度、物种多样性指数明显大于草本植物。在群落垂直结构中,木本植物等2层的物种丰富度、物种多样性指数均显著大于第1层。物种丰富度以木本第3层最大,草本层最小;而物种多样性指数、群落均匀度则以木本第2层最大、草本层最小。木本植物各层次、草本层的物种多样性各项指标在群落各样地间均有一定的差异。     

Secondary forest fragments offer important carbon and biodiversity cobenefits

Tropical forests store large amounts of carbon and high biodiversity, but are being degraded at alarming rates. The emerging global Forest and Landscape Restoration (FLR) agenda seeks to limit global climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through the growth of trees. In doing so, it may also protect biodiversity as a free cobenefit, which is vital given the massive shortfall in funding for biodiversity conservation. We investigated whether natural forest regeneration on abandoned pastureland offers such cobenefits, focusing for the first time on the recovery of taxonomic diversity (TD), phylogenetic diversity (PD) and functional diversity (FD) of trees, including the recovery of threatened and endemic species richness, within isolated secondary forest (SF) fragments. We focused on the globally threatened Brazilian Atlantic Forest, where commitments have been made to restore 1 million hectares under FLR. Three decades after land abandonment, regenerating forests had recovered ~20% (72 Mg/ha) of the above‐ground carbon stocks of a primary forest (PF), with cattle pasture containing just 3% of stocks relative to PFs. Over this period, SF recovered ~76% of TD, 84% of PD and 96% of FD found within PFs. In addition, SFs had on average recovered 65% of threatened and ~30% of endemic species richness of primary Atlantic forest. Finally, we find positive relationships between carbon stock and tree diversity recovery. Our results emphasize that SF fragments offer cobenefits under FLR and other carbon‐based payments for ecosystem service schemes (e.g. carbon enhancements under REDD+). They also indicate that even isolated patches of SF could help to mitigate climate change and the biodiversity extinction crisis by recovering species of high conservation concern and improving landscape connectivity.     

大兴安岭森林火烧后不同演替阶段土壤细菌多样性动态

【目的】研究我国最大的林区之一——大兴安岭森林火烧后不同演替阶段土壤细菌多样性动态,为天然林保护工程对于生物多样性的影响增添新的认识。【方法】以空间替代时间的方法分析大兴安岭森林演替对于土壤细菌多样性动态的影响。大兴安岭森林火烧后典型的自然演替序列为火烧迹地(LG-BA)、灌丛(SHR)、白桦林(BP)、白桦落叶松混交林(BP-LG)、落叶松林(LG-OM)。在演替序列的每个典型样地上采集0-10 cm土样,采用Illumina Mi Seq高通量测序技术测定土壤细菌群落组成及其多样性。【结果】细菌操作分类单位(OTU)数量从少到多的顺序为火烧迹地落叶松白桦混交林灌丛落叶松林白桦林。随着森林演替,多样性指数Simpson先增高后降低;Shannon指数先增加后减少再增加;OTU的丰度变化比较平缓,表明物种变化较小。在各演替阶段中,土壤细菌种类主要有变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、酸杆菌门(Acidobacteria)、放线菌门(Actinobacteria)和浮霉菌门(Planctomycetes),4个门的种类含量随演替顺序都呈现先增加后减少的趋势。主成分分析表明不同演替阶段土壤细菌群落存在一定的差异性。冗余分析表明有机质(SOM)、全氮(TN)、全磷(TP)和p H对于土壤细菌群落变化有影响。【结论】随着森林演替,大兴安岭地区土壤细菌种类和生物多样性会发生变化,其变化与土壤化学成分和p H有关。     

Changes in soil macroarthropod communities in relation to forest maturation through three successional stages in the Canadian boreal forest

The edaphic macroarthropod communities of three sites representative of the forest succession in the Lake Duparquet region (situated in the southern part of the boreal forest, Abitibi, Quebec, Canada) were studied. A 47-year-old deciduous forest, a 144-year-old mixed forest, and a 231-year-old coniferous forest form a successional forest gradient with a vegetation composition that is a function of the time elapsed since the last forest fire. Along with forest succession, there is a reduction in macroarthropod community biodiversity. There is a negative gradient for mean total abundance (237–41 individuals), total richness (63–23 species), density (1792–661 individuals/m²), diversity (H′ = 1.478–1.007) and equitability (J = 0.821–0.739). These community changes affect saprophagous organisms more than predators. Certain species or taxa show preferences for a particular forest type, such as larval Diptera for the deciduous forest. A comparison of these results with the literature suggests an inverse preference as to habitat choice between microarthropods (Acarina and Collembola) and macroarthropods. From a conservation point of view, macroarthropod biodiversity will be favored by the protection of all forest types since each environment possesses a particular community structure and species. Received: 17 April 1995 / Accepted: 1 April 1996     

Rapid recovery of tropical forest diversity and structure after shifting cultivation in the Philippines uplands

Shifting cultivation is a widespread land‐use in the tropics that is considered a major threat to rainforest diversity and structure. In the Philippines, a country with rich biodiversity and high rates of species endemism, shifting cultivation, locally termed as kaingin, is a major land‐use and has been for centuries. Despite the potential impact of shifting cultivation on forests and its importance to many people, it is not clear how biodiversity and forest structure recover after kaingin abandonment in the country, and how well these post‐kaingin secondary forests can complement the old‐growth forests. We investigated parameters of forest diversity and structure along a fallow age gradient in secondary forests regenerating after kaingin abandonment in Leyte Island, the Philippines (elevation range: 445–650 m asl). We first measured the tree diversity and forest structure indices in regenerating secondary forests and old‐growth forest. We then measured the recovery of tree diversity and forest structure parameters in relation to the old‐growth forest. Finally, using linear mixed effect models (LMM), we assessed the effect of different environmental variables on the recovery of forest diversity and structure. We found significantly higher species density in the oldest fallow sites, while Shannon’s index, species evenness, stem number, basal area, and leaf area index were higher in the old‐growth forest. A homogeneous species composition was found across the sites of older fallow age. Multivariate analysis revealed patch size as a strong predictor of tree diversity and forest structure recovery after shifting cultivation. Our study suggests that, secondary forests regenerating after shifting cultivation abandonment can recover rapidly. Although recovery of forest structure was not as rapid as the tree diversity, our older fallow sites contained a similar number of species as the old‐growth forest. Many of these species are also endemic to the Philippines. Novel and emerging ecosystems like tropical secondary forests are of high conservation importance and can act as a refuge for dwindling tropical forest biodiversity.     

Influence of forest development phase on centipede diversity in managed beech forests in Slovenia

Biodiversity in managed forests depends on management practices that determine the forest structure. The influence of stand structure on centipede diversity was investigated by comparing centipede communities from different forest development phases. Using the quadrat counts method, soil samples were taken thrice during 2000 (in spring, summer and autumn) from a deforested area and three evenly aged beech stands (juvenile, pole and timber phases) in managed beech forests in Slovenia. The characteristics of centipede communities and the similarities among them were estimated. The collection comprised 1150 centipedes representing 32 species. At a single site, 10–24 species were found. The average density was between 22 and 808 individuals per m². Differences among communities from different sites were found. The highest species number and abundance were found in the juvenile phase and the lowest in the deforested area. The occurrence of species differed among phases, but none of the species found with a high incidence in one development phase was restricted to that phase. The composition of the centipede community was more sensitive to the successional status of the forest than to the season. A comparison with differently structured forest was made, which suggests that homogenisation leads to reduced centipede diversity. To preserve biodiversity and healthy forest functioning, the maintenance of heterogeneity within a forest stand should be an important focus of management operations.     

长白山阔叶红松林结构多样性的初步研究

在林业可持续发展的背景下,对森林实施生态系统管理,必须保护和维持森林的生物多样性。这就要求在森林调查和经营过程中增加林分结构多样性方面的内容,因此必须充分认识森林结构包括的内容,并研究制订简便实用的结构多样性指标。本文采用目测分层盖度结合无样地点四分法取样进行林分结构因子调查,设计了一套简便的林分结构指标体系,并对长白山红松阔叶混交林及其次生林进行了林分结构多样性的测定研究。结果表明：基于分层盖度构建的林分垂直多样性指数和水平结构异质性指数,可以较好地表示林分的基本结构特征,同时借助点四分法测定的物种多样性指数和对倒木、站干、林隙等的统计,可以较全面地描述阔叶红松林的林分结构因素。应用该方法测定不同的原始林样地的林分结构,得到的林分结构指标与其他林分结构因素的描述,同常规林学调查结论一致并更全面;同时对不同采伐方式的林分结构进行了测定,结合相应的常规指标测定对比,表明该结构指数不但能较好地表示群落的空间结构特征,同时也能对比不同经营方式对林分结构造成的影响,如择伐方式比皆伐方式对林分的结构影响相对较小而且结构恢复时间较短,从而说明对阔叶红松林这种复层异龄混交林的森林类型而言,择伐是一种更适合的通过结构调控进行生态系统管理的方式。在对生态系统进行经营管理过程中,采用该方法能有效地说明林分的垂直结构复杂性和水平结构异质性及重要的林分结构因子存在状况,因而更适合当前森林生态系统管理的要求。文章进一步分析了林分结构指标待改进的部分与研究方向。     

Recovery of conservation values in Central African rain forest after logging and shifting cultivation

Secondary forests in Central Africa are increasing in importance for biodiversity conservation as old growth forests outside the few protected areas are disappearing rapidly. We examined vegetation recovery in a lowland rain forest area in Cameroon based on a detailed botanical survey of old growth forest and different-aged logging gaps (5–27 years) and shifting cultivation fields (10–60 years). Our analysis focuses on the long-term recovery of botanical conservation values by analysing trends in vegetation structure, species composition, species diversity and levels of endemism and rarity. In the total survey (4.25 ha), we recorded 834 species of which 23% were endemic to the Lower Guinea forest region. The proportion of endemic species was high in shrubs and low in herbs. Geographic range and (local) rarity were not significantly associated. The proportion of rare species (relative frequency <10%) was high in woody climbers and low in trees. In logging gaps, recovery of all vegetation characteristics was relatively quick (5–14 years). Recovery in shifting cultivation sites took longer (30–60 years). Endemic species were found to be highly sensitive to shifting cultivation practices and even after 50–60 years the level of endemism was still significantly lower compared to old growth forest. The proportion of rare species was not significantly different between disturbed sites and old growth forest. We conclude that secondary forests can contribute to biodiversity conservation, e.g. as buffer zones around protected areas. However, this contribution should be assessed differently between land use types and widespread versus endemic species.     

The role of local and regional processes in shaping dung beetle communities in tropical forest plantations in Borneo

We examine whether rain forest dung beetle species found in plantations in Sabah, northern Borneo, tend to be endemic or geographically widespread. In addition, linear regressions of abundance vs. distance from a major river in primary rain forest are calculated to see if species found in plantation forest show affinity to one specific biotope (riverine vs. interior forest) in their natural habitat. Results show that 14 of the 40 species recorded from plantations are endemic to Borneo. Only edge‐specialist endemic species are found in plantation forest, with no interior‐forest specialists recorded. Data suggest that endemic species that are adapted to more exposed conditions in primary rain forest, such as riverine species, can in some instances tolerate man‐made habitats. Twenty‐nine species (±SE 4.0) per transect are recorded from plantation transects, whereas 44.2 (±1.7 SE) are recorded in primary rain forest. As species richness is much lower in plantations than natural forest, implying loss of biodiversity, we conclude that measures of biogeographic distinctiveness, whereby endemic species confer higher values, may be misleading unless they take into account edge‐affinity. Local‐ as well as regional‐distributional data may therefore be needed to interpret correctly patterns of species assemblages in derived forest ecosystems.     

Reviewing the strength of evidence of biodiversity indicators for forest ecosystems in Europe

With a growing number of forest biodiversity indicators being applied in forest policy documents and even more being suggested by the scientific community, there is a need to evaluate, review and critically assess the strength of evidence for individual indicators, their interrelationships and potential overlaps and gaps. Biodiversity indicators proposed for forest ecosystems in Europe were reviewed with the overarching aim of providing advice on strategic selection and combination of indictors. The objectives were to (1) establish interrelationships between indicators and their indicandum (i.e. the indicated aspect of biodiversity); (2) assess the strength of scientific evidence for individual indicators; and (3) identify a set of indicators with confirmed validity for further scientific testing and inclusion in long-term reporting and decision-making regarding forest biodiversity. Ten indicator groups and 83 individual indicators were identified with application from stand scale up to landscape scale in 142 eligible scientific papers. In 62 of the 142 studies no statistical correlations between indicator(s) and indicandum were performed and 42 (out of the 62) did not even present a clear indicandum. In the remaining 80 studies, 412 correlations between indicator and indicandum were identified. However, only six correlations were assessed as being supported by strong evidence, i.e. three or more studies found statistical correlation between the indicator and indicandum, and no studies reported contradictory results. For the species richness relationships, there was strong evidence for positive correlations between deadwood volume and wood-living fungal species richness; deadwood volume and saproxylic beetle species richness; deadwood diversity and saproxylic beetle species richness; age of canopy trees and epiphytic lichen species richness. There was strong evidence for a negative correlation between tree canopy cover and spider species richness. Concerning species composition-related correlation, there was strong evidence that the species composition of epiphytic lichens changed with the age of canopy trees. These results imply that the validity of most indicators on which monitoring and conservation planning are based are weakly scientifically supported and that further validation of current biodiversity indicators for forest ecosystems is needed.     

Biodiversity correlates with regional patterns of forest litter pools

We compared litter pools of more than 1,000 forests differing in tree species diversity over a large scale in Catalonia (NE Spain). Monospecific forests always had smaller litter pools than mixed (from 2 to 5 tree species) forests. Whether there was a positive effect beyond two species mixtures depended on the species and functional identity of the dominant tree species. In sclerophyllous forests the positive effect of diversity was a step-function from one to more species. However, in conifers, litter pools increased constantly with tree diversity. The identity of the dominant tree species and functional type had also a significant effect on litter pools. For instance, forests dominated by sclerophyllous tree species had larger litter pools than forests dominated by deciduous and conifer tree species. When other forest structure parameters (i.e. tree basal area, wood production, successional stage, shrub cover and leaf area index) and environmental factors (i.e. mean annual temperature, mean annual precipitation, annual evapotranspiration and hillside position) where included in the analysis only leaf area index, basal area, wood production and mean temperature influenced litter pools positively. Our analysis emphasizes that at the regional scale, the litter compartment can be as influenced by biodiversity components as by other forest structure and climate components. In mixed forests, species and functional identity of the trees determine whether litter pools increase with tree diversity.