Abstract
BackgroundAtmospheric deposition of nitrogen and climate change can have impacts on ecological structures and functions, and thus on the integrity of ecosystems and their services. Operationalization of ecosystem integrity is still an important desideratum.ResultsA methodology for classifying the ecosystem integrity of forests in Germany under the influence of climate change and atmospheric nitrogen deposition is presented. The methodology was based on 14 indicators for six ecosystem functions: habitat function, net primary function, carbon sequestration, nutrient and water flux, resilience. It allows assessments of ecosystem integrity changes by comparing current or prospective ecosystem states with ecosystem-type-specific reference states as described by quantitative indicators for 61 forest ecosystem types based on data before 1990.ConclusionThe method developed enables site-specific classifications of ecosystem integrity as well as classifications with complete coverage and determinations of temporal trends as shown using examples from the Thuringian Forest and the “Kellerwald-Edersee” National Park (Germany).
Highlights
Atmospheric deposition of nitrogen and climate change can have impacts on ecological structures and functions, and on the integrity of ecosystems and their services
This paper presents for the first time the following methodical issues for classifying the ecosystem integrity of forests by example of Germany: the operationalisation of ecosystem functions by quantitative indicators
In our investigation, we developed a methodology based on 14 indicators for six ecosystem functions by example of Germany
Summary
Atmospheric deposition of nitrogen and climate change can have impacts on ecological structures and functions, and on the integrity of ecosystems and their services. Climate change and atmospheric nitrogen (N) inputs can alter the integrity of ecosystems, i.e., their dominant structures and functions, and limit their benefits for humans, i.e., the ecosystem services. Action 5 of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 foresees that Member States will map and assess the state of ecosystems and their services in their national territory. To this end, an operational guidance to the EU and the Member States on how to assess the condition (or the state) of Europe’s ecosystems was developed [13]. It should serve to identify the causes of disturbances as early as possible and to derive suitable measures for the preservation and development of certain ecosystem conditions
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