Germany's forests face unprecedented challenges due to drought-induced tree mortality, highlighting the urgent need for adaptive forestry practices in the face of climate change. The collaborative project, "Future Potential of Douglas Fir and Silver Fir Mixtures," is led by the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the University of Göttingen, with support from the Bavarian State Institute of Forestry (LWF). At the Chair of Terrestrial Ecology, we are examining the ecological implications of incorporating Douglas fir and silver fir into managed European beech forests, which are predicted to have high future potential.

Our primary goal is to understand the impact of these mixed stands on native biodiversity, specifically focusing on taxonomic and functional diversity within communities of birds, bats, and insects. To achieve this, we conducted extensive field research across 63 plots (30 Douglas-fir-beech, 23 silver fir-beech, and 10 beech plots as control) in Lower Franconia (Spessart) during 2023-2024. The mixture plots represent a gradient of conifer proportions within the beech stands. Our data collection methodology for the diversity analysis includes:
•    Arthropod Collection: Utilizing Malaise and light traps to measure biomass and species richness of arthropods and nocturnal moths.
•    Bird and Bat Monitoring: Deploying audio recorders to analyze activity and diversity.
•    Bird Reproductive Success: Monitoring blue tit breeding in nest boxes installed on both beech and conifer trees to assess habitat quality.

Through these investigations, we additionally aim to identify potential thresholds for positive or negative impacts on faunal diversity associated with varying conifer proportions. Ultimately, our research will provide more insight into the ecological implications of these mixtures and guidance for forest managers to make informed decisions for resilient and biodiverse forests in the face of climate change.