Distribution, major threats, and management methods of maple tree species in temperate forests: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Despite its contribution to multiple ecosystem goods and services, maple tree species distribution, survival, and growth are declining due to multiple interconnected threats. Therefore, inclusive understanding of distributions, threats, and silvicultural management is essential for their sustainability. Currently, there is a lack of a comprehensive review for these species that would facilitate effective management and utilization. Thus, this review aims to synthesize the distribution, major threats, and management methods of maple trees species in temperate regions. The study employed PRISMA methods, incorporating a total of 115 original studies for systematic review and meta-analyses. The mean effect size of the included studies for major threats was positive moderate range (SMD = 0.46) and for sustainable forest management (SMD = 0.44) with an acceptable level of heterogeneity (I² = 7 to 28%) and statistical significance ( p < 0.001). Frequent climatic events, along with man-made extreme disturbances, intensive browsing, and disease infestations, pose significant threats to the distribution, growth, and survival of maple trees and forests. Although some studies have explored some sustainable forest management practices mainly harvesting and regeneration and restoration to address these threats, most focus on fewer than ten common maple tree species and overlook many native, endemic, and threatened species, particularly in East Asia. Thus, further research into their current ecological dynamics, biological characteristics, silvicultural management, pest and disease management, and short- and long-term ecological responses and resilience under changing climate conditions should be required.