Diversity and economic success: Mixing endemic and exotic tree species as a possibility for the restoration of secondary forests in Central Chile

Natural forests exceed plantations in area by a factor of six. Despite this fact natural forests and the species growing in these forests are of almost no importance from an economic perspective. In search of ways how the economic value of native Chilenian species can be increase two set-ups are investigated: Degraded secondary forests are put back to management by the admixture of exotic species in a first setting. In a second afforestations of exotic and native species are established.

The project "Diversity and economic success: Mixing of native and exotic tree species as possibilities for restoration of secondary forests in central Chile" assesses if the economic attractiveness of natural forests can be improved by enrichment plantings without forgoing the ecological advantages of native species. A special emphasis is on the question if diversification effects can be measured in mixed stands, i.e. if the mixing of trees leads to a minimisation of risks or increases in revenues. The study is based on the findings of modern financial theory.