Willow Short-Rotation Coppice as Model System for Exploring Ecological Theory on Biodiversity–Ecosystem Function

Plantations of willow (Salix spp.) are today grown as short-rotation coppice (SRC) for the sustainable production of biomass. While developing these production systems in the past, much ecological knowledge on plant–plant, plant–environment and trophic interactions has been generated. This knowledge can contribute to the further development of biodiversity–ecosystem function (BEF) theory, which frequently lacks a sound understanding of the...