To stop the deterioration of vegetation diversity in Europe it is essential to have knowledge on the relation between environmental quality and diversity. This relation is studied in various monitoring networks, both on a European scale (e.g. ICP-Forest) and on a national scale (e.g. LMF).
Up to now statistical analyses of such data did not show a straightforward relation between environment and vegetation. Therefore, more knowledge is required on intermediate factors e.g. the soil, and also on temporal changes.
Research objectives:
To improve knowledge on the link between biotic and abiotic observations in vegetation monitoring networks, with special emphasis on the effects of N deposition. Use of this knowledge to make improvements on monitoring networks, both on a European and on a national scale.
Materials and methods:
Additional sampling and sample analysis will be carried out on ca. 200 plots of the national LMF network. A data analysis will be carried out for the European ICP-Forest network (c. 400 plots, most of them with observations on more than one point in time). Results of the latter analysis will be used for a detailed analysis of the LMF data. Recommendations will be made to the ICPs concerning the optimalisation of their monitoring networks.
Results and products:
- Report on the relation between environmental quality and vegetation diversity in the national LMF network;
- Report on the relation between environmental quality and vegetation diversity, and changes therein, in the European ICP-Forest level-II network;
- Presentations of these studies in CCE workshops in 2010 and 2011. |
