Objectives

The objectives of the FORBIO project were

• to review, synthesize and disseminate existing knowledge and perceptions on the benefits and drawbacks of mixed stands vs monocultures with respect to the three components of sustainability (ecology, sociology, and economics) (review);

• to establish a unique large-scale forest biodiversity experiment to evaluate the impact of increasing tree species richness on ecosystem functioning. This experimental platform will provide a highly innovative research facility for national and international scientists from a wide range of disciplines, with the purpose of deepening the understanding of the mechanisms behind diversity-ecosystem functioning relationships in forests (experiment);

• to provide means of communication (meetings, conferences, discussion groups) for the community concerned with forest ecology, biodiversity and management in order to initiate an active network (a 'community of practice') for forest biodiversity research and management in Belgium and to participate in the worldwide research about forest diversity and ecosystem functioning (network).