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# Mixed forests scored highest—and still left important functions behind
- URL: https://intelligence.wildlandseco.com/2026-10-21-china-mixed-forest-service-imbalance/
- Published: 2026-10-21T14:11:14.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-21T14:11:14.000Z
- Description: A Chinese forest comparison shows how an impressive multifunctionality score conceals service imbalances.
- Author: Benjamin Worlund
- Tags: forest restoration, multifunctionality, regeneration, tradeoffs, Land, #ecological-intelligence, #brief-2026-10-21, #priority-read, #peer-reviewed, #geo-asia

Evidence

Peer-reviewed

Geography

Four subtropical regions of southern China

System

Plantation and secondary forest

## WHAT THE EVIDENCE SAYS

Across 36 plots in 32–39-year-old stands, mixed Cunninghamia-broadleaf plantations had the highest mean ecosystem multifunctionality (0.559, against 0.403 secondary and 0.383 pure plantations). They also contained the most strongly imbalanced service pairs; regeneration remained relatively weak and water retention was stronger in secondary forests.

## WHY IT MATTERS / OUR READ

An average restoration score is not a balanced ecological service bundle. Track regeneration, hydrology, diversity, soil and carbon separately to judge whether site-specific management goals are actually advancing.

## CAVEATS / UNCERTAINTY

Observational, middle-aged-stand comparison; it cannot isolate causal benefits of mixing species or demonstrate long-term resilience.

## SOURCE

Frontiers in Plant Science — Wu et al. (2026)  
[View original evidence ↗](https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2026.1941032?ref=intelligence.wildlandseco.com)

From the Morning Brief · 2026-10-21

[Read the full Morning Brief →](https://intelligence.wildlandseco.com/morning-brief-2026-10-21/)