Integrative Forest Management Guidelines

Introduction

Establishing mixed-species forests means creating stands with three or more tree species through natural regeneration, planting, or a combination of both. The regeneration phase provides an important window of opportunity to influence future tree species composition and stand structure. Mixed-species forests can enhance biodiversity, management flexibility, productivity, and resilience, but their successful establishment requires consideration of differences in species growth, shade tolerance, competitive ability, and regeneration requirements.

A diversity of substrates and microsites can provide suitable establishment conditions for species with different regeneration requirements. Advance regeneration can be used to give shade-tolerant species an establishment advantage before canopy openings are created, while planting or other regeneration methods may be needed to introduce species that would otherwise fail to establish. Browsing pressure also needs to be managed, as high ungulate densities can reduce tree species richness and prevent the establishment of more browsing-sensitive species. Young stands should subsequently be monitored and, where necessary, tended to maintain the desired species mixture.