FORKAST

BAVARIAN RESEARCH ASSOCIATION "CLIMATIC IMPACTS ON ECOSYSTEMS AND CLIMATIC ADAPTATION STRATEGIES"

TP2 Ecological gradient of altitude based on different species groups in natural forest stands of the Bavarian Forest

Natural forest stands are a comparatively natural forest ecosystem providing ideal research areas to collect data of species groups which could be possible climatic indicators. Since 30 years – when these forest stands were designated – they are widely out of anthropogenic impact. The collection of faunistic, floristic and mycological data took place in eight different natural forest stands along an altitudinal gradient (from 300 to 1400m NN) in the Bavarian and Neuburger Forest. Based on these data shift of species composition in the forest caused by the current climate change considering actual temperature scenarios are researched. Moreover, indicator species for climatic factors and potential climatic threshold values for indicator species should be identified of the determined groups (flowering plants, lichens, fungi, birds, insects, snails). Based on the modelling of temperature demands of silvicultural relevant pest insects (bark beetle) and fungi (Armillaria species and tinder fungi) should help to develop risk assessment for tree species dependent on temperature gradient.

Grant-aided by:
Bavarian State Ministry for Science, Research and Arts