Widespread expansion of tree cover compromises European biodiversity capacity

Widespread expansion of tree cover compromises European biodiversity capacity | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Widespread expansion of tree cover compromises European biodiversity capacity Wanben Wu, Jens-Christian Svenning, Tobias Kuemmerle, Alexander Prishchepov, and 2 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6427353/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Expanding tree cover is widely seen as a nature-based solution for climate mitigation and biodiversity conservation. However, widespread increases in tree cover can unintentionally reduce habitat heterogeneity or replace open ecosystems, thereby posing risks to biodiversity. Here, we developed a framework integrating measures of tree cover, connectivity, and heterogeneity, and quantified the dynamics in these measures in Europe from 2001 to 2021. We also explored potential drivers of tree dynamics, including land management, natural disturbance, climate, and human activities. We found that 23% of the European land area experienced widespread increases in tree cover and connectivity, accompanied by a decline in heterogeneity. Importantly, former cropland areas were linked to considerable tree-cover expansion and improved tree connectivity. Our findings indicate widespread densification and homogenization of vegetation, which will compromise the capacity of European ecosystems to support biodiversity. Restoring natural disturbance processes, including herbivory and fire, is essential to fully capitalize on the biodiversity potential of nature recovery in Europe. Earth and environmental sciences/Ecology/Forest ecology Earth and environmental sciences/Ecology/Macroecology Earth and environmental sciences/Ecology/Biogeography Full Text Additional Declarations There is NO Competing Interest. Supplementary Files rs.pdf Reporting Summary SupplementarymaterialNCre.docx Supplementary Information Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-6427353","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":467144364,"identity":"77a4075d-6ca4-44d8-94dc-2a4f12c96108","order_by":0,"name":"Wanben 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