Mechanisms of biotic homogenization in Central European forest

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Monika Wulf
• Subject Area: Ecology and Biodiversity of Plants and Ecosystems
• Term: from 2008 to 2011
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 74237581

Biotic homogenization is generally understood as the process by which the species similarity of once disparate biotas increases (decrease in β diversity) due to the extinction of native, endemic species, and the invasion of non-native species. The planned project will explore, whether biotic homogenization is a process in European forests, too, and which mechanisms lead to a decrease in β diversity. For this purpose, we will investigate about 250 vegetation plots at the landscape level. Plots will be exactly relocalized and sampled again after two decades. The biotic homogenization will be quantified with relatively exact cover values, which in contrast to presence/absence-data allow the detection of trends in vegetation change. Changes in β diversity will be related to both actual site conditions and environmental alterations. In order to identify the underlying mechanisms, plant species traits that characterize ‘winner’ and ‘loser’ species will be linked to the environmental alterations. We expect the results to be important for the prediction of developments in β diversity of forest plant communities at the landscape level.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants