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Can changes in nitrogen deposition be detected in vegetation using Ellenberg indicator values? A study using ten years of data from the National Monitoring Network Flora for Environmental Quality
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Datum
2010
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Shaker Verlag
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On global, European and national scales biodiversity is declining. A loss in biodiversity can result in a loss of ecosystem services and make an area more vulnerable to natural disasters. In the Netherlands biodiversity loss is caused by habitat fragmentation, acidification, drought and nitrification. Although a decline of nitrogen deposition has been reported in The Netherlands, it still reaches levels above the critical load for many ecosystems. The National Monitoring Network Flora monitors vegetation composition and its relation to environmental pressures in 10.000 permanent relevées. The Network contains vegetation data collected between 1999 and 2009 in The Netherlands. Data from this network will be used in this study. It will be determined whether changes in nitrogen deposition are detectable in vegetation composition with the use of Ellenberg indicator values and whether areas that are more sensitive to nitrification and acidification are more affected by a changing nitrogen deposition. Nitrogen deposition data and Ellenberg indicator values (nitrogen and pH) are being analyzed for differences between 1999 and 2009. Areas expected to be more affected by acidification and nitrification (sandy areas) are being compared to areas with less expected effect. Preliminary results indicate that throughout The Netherlands several areas show a decline in nitrogen deposition. Some areas susceptible to nitrification and acidification (relatively nutrient-poor areas on sandy soil) show slightly declining trends in nitrogen Ellenberg values. However, areas with the highest deposition changes do not show a declining trend in nitrogen Ellenberg values. Significance has yet to be determined.