Standardisierte Biodiversitätserfassung in kanadischen und mitteleuropäischen Wäldern

Standardized Assessment of Biodiversity in Canadian and European Forests

Hannover

2004

1 Abb., 11 Lit. Ang.

Artikel aus einer ZeitschriftUnselbständiges Werk

4354

200116703

Different aspects of understorey plant species biodiversity were analyzed in conifer forests in Canada (Monashee Mountains, B.C.) and Germany (Fichtelgebirge, Bavaria). The investigation areas were comparable in size (676 km2), lithology and climate. Both areas are dominated by conifers, whereas the Canadian forests represent mainly natural forests or second growth forests and the German forests are modified and managed for centuries. Our objectives are a) to understand the factors which affect the diversity of understorey forest vegetation, b) to assess the role of management history, c) to develop standardized methods to detect areas with high biodiversity. The investigation areas have been overlaid with a 2 km by 2 km grid. From these grid cells regularly distributed investigation units were chosen for sampling. In each investigation unit plots with different structure types - disturbed, mature and intermediate stands - have been analyzed. The repercussions of disturbance events on the species diversity of the ground layer seem to be comparable in forests of both regions and landscapes. Both investigation areas are comparable according to the reaction of ground vegetation on forest management treatments. In both investigation areas the number of species increases resulting from disturbances with different intensity and quality. Almost one quarter of all plant species in the Monashee Mountains rely on natural, mature stands. The results show the practicability of the method for measuring biodivesity in conifer forests.