Water availability drives above-ground biomass and bird richness in forest restoration plantings to achieve carbon and biodiversity co-benefits

To combat global warming and biodiversity loss we require effective forest restoration that encourages recovery of species diversity and ecosystem function to deliver essential ecosystem services, such as biomass accumulation. Further, understanding how and where to undertake restoration to achieve carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation would provide an opportunity to finance ecosystem restoration under carbon markets. We surveyed 30 native mixed-species plantings in subtropical forests and woodlands in Australia, and used structural equation modelling to determine vegetation, soil and climate variables most likely driving above-ground biomass accrual and bird richness, and investigate the relationships between plant diversity, above-ground biomass accrual and bird diversity. We focussed on woodland and forest-dependent birds, and functional groups at risk of decline (insectivorous, understorey-nesting, and small-bodied birds). We found that mean moisture availability strong...