Ground floor vegetation assessment within the intensive (Level II) monitoring of forest ecosystems in Germany: chances and challenges

摘要: As a part of the ‘Intensive Forest Monitoring Programme’ ICP Forests, ground floor vegetation has been surveyed along with parameters other relevant components forest ecosystems and their environment at 80 permanent plots all over Germany. Its floristic composition changes can therefore be linked to wide variety potentially influencing factors, scrutinising recent hypotheses on changes, mainly soil eutrophication acidification due air pollutants. Results broad-scaled feasibility study are presented critically discussed regard future in-depth evaluations. After an overview most abundant species, syntaxonomic allocation is given. An ordination reveals gradient from nutrient base rich soils poor acidic soils. Floristic dynamics aligned main axis, but conclusions about medium-term development cannot stated yet. Ordination subsequent statistics recommended open up field for explorative investigations. Indicator values acidity supply corroborate gradient. Based empirical species–area relationship (SAR), species numbers common plot size 400 m2 were calculated. Basic relationships among different diversity measures between basic stand site-related elaborated. Recommendations focus enhancements assessment within context Level II monitoring like annual sampling or harmonisation sizes.