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Biological control of weeds in Vanuatu began in 1935, with the introduction of the tingid Teleonemia scrupulosa to control Lantana camara. To date, nine biological control agents have been intentionally introduced to control eight weed species. Seven of these agents have established on their respective hosts while an eighth, Zygogramma bicolorata, an agent for Parthenium hysterophorus has only recently been released and establishment is unlikely. The fate of a ninth agent, Heteropsylla spinulosa, released for the control of Mimosa diplotricha is unclear. Six other biological control agents, including Epiblema strenuana which was first detected in 2014 on P. hysterophorus on Efate have spread into the country unintentionally. Control of the target weeds range from inadequate to very good. By far the most successful agent has been Calligrapha pantherina which was introduced to control Sida acuta and Sida rhombifolia. The beetle was released on 14 islands and managed to spread to at least another 10 islands where it has effectively controlled both Sida spp. Control of the two water weeds, Eichhornia crassipes by Neochetina bruchi and N. eichhorniae and Pistia stratiotes by Neohydronomus affinis, has also been fairly good in most areas. Two agents, T. scrupulosa and Uroplata girardi, were released on L. camara, and four other agents have been found on the weed, but L. camara is still not under adequate control. The rust Puccinia spegazzinii was first released on Mikania micrantha in 2012 and successfully established. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it is having an impact on M. micrantha, but detailed monitoring is required to determine its overall impact. Future prospects for weed biological control in Vanuatu are positive, with the expected greater spread of recently released agents and the introduction of new agents for P. hysterophorus, L. camara, Dolichandra unguis-cati and Spathodea campanulata.
Biological control of introduced weeds in the 22 Pacific island countries and territories (PICTs) began in 1911, with the lantana seed-feeding fly introduced into Fiji and New Caledonia from Hawaii. To date, a total of 62 agents have been deliberately introduced into the PICTs to control 21 weed species in 17 countries. A further two agents have spread naturally into the region. The general impact of the 36 biocontrol agents now established in the PICTs ranges from none to complete control of their target weed(s). Fiji has been most active in weed biocontrol, releasing 30 agents against 11 weed species. Papua New Guinea, Guam, and the Federated States of Micronesia have also been very active in weed biocontrol. For some weeds such as Lantana camara, agents have been released widely, and can now be found in 15 of the 21 PICTs in which the weed occurs. However, agents for other commonly found weeds, such as Sida acuta, have been released in only a few countries in which the weed is present. There are many safe and effective biocontrol agents already in the Pacific that could be utilised more widely, and highly effective agents that have been released elsewhere in the world that could be introduced following some additional host specificity testing. This paper discusses the current status of biological control efforts against introduced weeds in the 22 PICTs and reviews options that could be considered by countries wishing to initiate weed biological control programmes.
Successful invasion is often due to a combination of species characteristics (or invasiveness) and habitat suitability (or invasibility). Our objective was to identify preferred habitats and suitable environmental conditions for the African tulip tree Spathodea campanulata (Bignoniaceae), one of the most invasive alien trees on the tropical island of French Polynesia (South Pacific Ocean), in relation to its distribution and photosynthesis capacity. Spathodea abundance and leaf chlorophyll fluorescence Fo’, ETRmax, and Y(II) effective were examined in relation to topography and micro-climate along elevational transects between 140 m and 1,300 m. Results showed that Spathodea is (1) present up to 1,240 m with lowest maximum July–October (cool season) temperature of 9.4 °C and an average July-October temperature of 14.6 °C, (2) is able to colonize slope steepness of more than 45°, (3) is well represented in the elevational range of 140–540 m as well as in the native forests between 940 m and 1,040 m, suggesting a high threat for native and endemic plants species. Along one of the transects, in the elevation range of 541–940 m, Spathodea was under-represented, Chl fluorescence Fo’ increased significantly while Y(II)effective decreased significantly supporting the hypothesis that this range is a non-preferred environment, probably due to microclimate conditions characterized by punctual air dryness. Among Spathodea plants surveyed along a wetter transect, Y(II)effective and ETRmax were comparable from low elevation to mid-high elevation indicating that the potential photosynthesis rate of Spathodea may be similar from sea level until mid-high elevation. Major infestations on the island of Tahiti were reported on the leeward (drier and urbanized) west coast, but Spathodea has also been recently found on the slopes of the windward (wetter) east coast. Chlorophyll fluorescence measurements indicate a high photosynthetic capacity among Spathodea in wet environments suggesting that Spathodea will become invasive across most of the island of Tahiti.
The annual grass Bromus tectorum has invaded millions of hectares in western North America and has transformed former perennial grass and shrub-dominated communities into annual grasslands. Fire plays a key role in the maintenance of B. tectorum on the landscape but the type of disturbance responsible for initial invasion is less well understood. We conducted an experiment in a perennial shrub/grass/forb community in eastern Idaho, USA to examine the roles of plant community and soil disturbance on B. tectorum emergence and establishment prior to state-changing fires. Our experiment consisted of a plant community disturbance treatment where we (1) removed the shrub component, (2) removed the grass/forb component, or (3) removed all shrubs, grasses, and forbs. We followed this treatment with seeding of B. tectorum onto the soil surface that was (1) intact, or (2) disturbed. Each experimental plot had an associated control with no plant community disturbance but was seeded in the same manner. The experiment was replicated 20 times in two sites (high and low aboveground biomass). We measured emergence by counting seedlings in late spring and establishment by counting, removing, and weighing B. tectorum individuals in mid-summer. We also examined the influence of plant community disturbance on the soil environment by measuring extractable NH4 + and NO3 – four times each summer. Soil disturbance greatly influenced the number of B. tectorum individuals that emerged each spring. Plant community disturbance, specifically disturbance of the grass/forb component, increased N availability in the late growing season and biomass of B. tectorum the following summer. We conclude that soil disturbance and plant community disturbance interact to promote the initial invasion of B. tectorum in Intermountain West valley ecosystems.
Many recent studies in invasion science have identified species traits that determine either invasiveness or impact. Such analyses underpin risk assessments and attempts to prioritise management actions. However, the factors that mediate the capacity of an introduced species to establish and spread (i.e. its invasiveness) can differ from those that affect the nature and severity of impacts. Here we compare those traits correlated with invasiveness with those correlated with impact for Cactaceae (“cacti”) in South Africa. To assess impact magnitude, we scored 70 cacti (35 invasive and 35 non-invasive species) using the Generic Impact Scoring System (GISS) and identified traits correlated with impact using a decision tree approach. We then compared the traits correlated with impact with those identified in a recent study as correlated with invasiveness (i.e. native range size and growth form). We found that there is a significant correlation between native range size and both invasiveness and impact. Cacti with larger native ranges were more likely to become invasive (p=0.001) and cause substantial impacts (p=0.01). These results are important for prioritising efforts on the management of cactus species. Understanding when and why impact and invasiveness are correlated (as they appear to be for Cactaceae) is likely to be an important area of future research in risk assessment.
The risk of introducing weeds to new areas through grain (cereals, oilseeds and pulses) intended for processing or consumption is typically considered less than that from seed or plants for planting. However, within the range of end uses for grain, weed risk varies significantly and should not be ignored. In this paper, we discuss pathway risk analysis as a framework to examine the association of weed seeds with grain commodities throughout the production process from field to final end use, and present inspection sampling data for grain crops commonly imported to Canada. In the field, weed seed contamination of grain crops is affected by factors such as country of origin, climate, biogeography and production and harvesting practices. As it moves toward export, grain is typically cleaned at a series of elevators and the effectiveness and degree of cleaning are influenced by grain size, shape and density as well as by grade requirements. In cases where different grain lots are blended, uncertainty may be introduced with respect to the species and numbers of weed seed contaminants. During transport and storage, accidental spills and cross-contamination among conveyances may occur. At the point of import to Canada, inspection sampling data show that grain shipments contain a variety of contaminants including seeds of regulated weeds and species that represent new introductions. However, grain cleaning and processing methods tailored to end use at destination also affect the presence and viability of weed seeds. For example, grains that are milled or crushed for human use present a lower risk of introducing weed seeds to new environments than grains that undergo minimal or no processing for livestock feed, or screenings that are produced as a by-product of grain cleaning. Pathway risk analysis allows each of these stages to be evaluated in order to characterize the overall risk of introducing weeds with particular commodities, and guide regulatory decisions about trade and plant health.
Like most jurisdictions, Australia is managing a broad range of invasive alien species. Here, we provide the first holistic quantification of how much invasive species impact Australia’s economy, and how much Australia spends on their management. In the 01–02 financial year (June to July), the combined estimated cost (economic losses and control) of invasive species was $9.8 billion, rising to $13.6 billion in the 11–12 financial year. Approximately $726 million of grants funded through the Commonwealth of Australia (i.e. federal funding) was spent on invasive species management and research between 1996 to 2013. In 01–02, total national expenditure on invasive species was $2.31 billion, rising to $3.77 billion in 11–12. Agriculture accounted for more than 90% of the total cost. For 01–02 and 11–12, these expenditure figures equate to $123 and $197 per person per year respectively, as well as 0.32 and 0.29% of GDP respectively. All values provided here are most likely to be underestimates of the real values due to the significant constraints of the data obtainable. Invasive species are clearly a significant economic burden in Australia. Given the extent of the issue of invasive species globally, there is a clear need for better quantifications of both economic loss and expenditure in more jurisdictions, as well as in Australia.
In our recent Discussion paper, we presented our view that the only real distinction between biological invasions and natural colonisations is the human element. We agree that invasion science is a very important science, not only to better understand the role that human mediation plays for colonisation, but also for many other science fields. We agree with all invasion researchers that the human influence can result in spectacular differences, including in rates of species movement, rates of successful colonisation, the particular species being moved, the biogeography of dispersal pathways and rates of any resulting ecological disturbance and biodiversity loss. Our deep point is that that species dispersed by human-mediation or natural colonisation are all subject to the same basic laws and rules of ecology, identical to many other phenomenon that occur naturally and can be greatly influenced by people. The human dimension is merely a mechanistic distinction, albeit important because it exposes insights about the colonisation process that cannot be seen by the study of natural colonisations alone. We provide 10 hypotheses that can be scientifically tested to determine whether biological invasions and natural colonisations are two separate processes or the same process being influenced by different mechanisms.
The authors inserted an incorrect figure in Oswalt et al. (2015) that was printed as Fig. 2. The mapped species represented in Oswalt et al. (2015) is Triadica sebifera or Chinese tallow. The correct Fig. 2, representing Imperata cylindrica, is reproduced below. The correction does not alter the conclusions of Oswalt et al. (2015).
Since first of January 2015, the EU-regulation 1143/2014 obligates all member states to conduct costbenefit analyses in preparation of control programs for invasive alien species to minimize and mitigate their impacts. In addition, with ratification of the Rio Declaration and the amended Federal Nature Conservation Act, Germany is committed to control any further spread of invasive species. This is the first cost-benefit analysis estimating positive welfare effects and societal importance of H. mantagezzianum invasion control in Germany. The paper analyses possible control options limiting stands of giant hogweeds (H. mantegazzianum) based on survey data of n = 287 German districts. We differentiate between several control options (e.g. root destruction, mechanical cutting or mowing, chemical treatment and grazing) depending on infested area size and protection status. The calculation of benefits is based on stated preference results (choice experiment; n = 282). For the cost side, we calculate two different invasion scenarios (i) no re-infestation after successfully conducted control measures (optimistic) and (ii) re-infestation twice after conducting control measures occurring within ten years (pessimistic). Minimum costs of eradication measures including a time span of ten years and a social discount rate of 1% result in a total of 3,467,640 € for optimistic scenario and 6,254,932 € for pessimistic invasion scenario, where no success of the first eradication attempt is assumed. Benefits of invasion control in Germany result in a total of 238,063,641 € per year and overassessment-factor corrected in 59,515,910 € per year.
The management of invasive alien species (IAS) in protected areas has become increasingly important in recent years. In this study, we analyse IAS management in the bilateral National Park Thayatal-Podyjí at the Austrian-Czech border. Based on two surveys from the years 2001 and 2010 and on annual management data from 2001-2010 we analyse changes in distribution and the efficiency of IAS management of three invasive alien plants (Fallopia × bohemica, Impatiens glandulifera, Robinia pseudoacacia). In 2010, the three study species had invaded 161 ha (2%) of the study area. Despite a decade of management, F. × bohemica has become widespread, whereas I. glandulifera distribution has decreased strongly. The most widespread species, R. pseudoacacia, has declined substantially in cover, but the area invaded has increased. From 2001 to 2010, annual management effort declined by about half. Management effort per hectare and decade was highest for F. × bohemica (2,657 hours), followed by R. pseudoacacia (1,473 hours) and I. glandulifera (270 hours). Management effort for achieving the same amount of reduction in population size and cover was highest for R. pseudoacacia, followed by F. × bohemica and I. glandulifera. We conclude that substantial effort and resources are necessary to successfully manage the study species and have to be provided over prolonged time periods, and thus continued management of these species is recommended. We highly recommend a systematic approach for monitoring the efficiency of IAS management projects in protected areas.
In a recent Discussion Paper, Hoffmann and Courchamp (2016) posed the question: are biological invasions and natural colonisations that different? This apparently simple question resonates at the core of the biological study of human-induced global change, and we strongly believe that the answer is yes: biological invasions and natural colonisations differ in processes and mechanisms in ways that are crucial for science, management, and policy. Invasion biology has, over time, developed into the broader transdisciplinary field of invasion science. At the heart of invasion science is the realisation that biological invasions are not just a biological phenomenon: the human dimension of invasions is a fundamental component in the social-ecological systems in which invasions need to be understood and managed.
The Anthropocene Epoch is characterized by novel and increasingly complex dependencies between the environment and human civilization, with many challenges of biodiversity management emerging as wicked problems. Problems arising from the management of biological invasions can be either tame (with simple or obvious solutions) or wicked, where difficulty in appropriately defining the problem can make complete solutions impossible to find. We review four case studies that reflect the main goals in the management of biological invasions – prevention, eradication, and impact reduction – assessing the drivers and extent of wickedness in each. We find that a disconnect between the perception and reality of how wicked a problem is can profoundly influence the likelihood of successful management. For example, managing species introductions can be wicked, but shifting from species-focused to vector-focused risk management can greatly reduce the complexity, making it a tame problem. The scope and scale of the overall management goal will also dictate the wickedness of the problem and the achievability of management solutions (cf. eradication and ecosystem restoration). Finally, managing species that have both positive and negative impacts requires engagement with all stakeholders and scenario-based planning. Effective management of invasions requires either recognizing unavoidable wickedness, or circumventing it by seeking alternative management perspectives.
In Niedersachsen sind etwa 50 % der forstlichen Standorte in einem Maßstab 1 : 25 000 nach einem relativ komplexen Verfahren kartiert. Jede kartierte Einheit besteht aus Stufen für den Geländewasserhaushalt (WHZ; 43 Stufen), die Nährstoffversorgung (NZ; 16 Stufen) und die Substratund Lagerungsverhältnisse (SLZ; 105 Stufen). Das Ziel der Arbeit war es, WHZ und NZ Stufen der Niedersächsischen forstlichen Standortskartierung für nicht kartierte Gebiete vorherzusagen. Anhand von stratifizierten Zufallsstichproben der WHZ und NZ Stufen aus der Kartierung wurden zwei RandomForest-Modelle kalibriert. Das Modell klassifizierte etwa 77 % der Teststichprobe für die WHZ richtig. Die F1-Werte der einzelnen Stufen reichten dabei von 50–95 %. Falsche Vorhersagen mehrten sich bei Übergängen benachbarter WHZ (z. B. Übergang von Tälern zu Hängen) und bei WHZ mit ähnlichen Geländeeigenschaften, aber Abstufungen in der Wasserversorgung. Einige Modellfehler hängen aber offenbar auch von Unschärfen innerhalb der zugrundeliegenden Kartierung ab. Zusätzlich sagt das Modell im Vergleich zur Feldkartierung viel kleinräumigere Muster vorher, die zwar vom zugrundeliegenden Gelände her nachvollziehbar erscheinen, aber in dieser Genauigkeit nicht im Feld kartiert werden. Etwa 66 % des Testdatensatzes für die NZ wurden richtig klassifiziert. Falsche Vorhersagen traten hier vor allem in direkt benachbarten Stufen der Nährstoffversorgung auf. Unsicherheiten deuten zum einen auf weniger gut geeignete Kovariablen hin, sind möglicherweise aber auch durch zeitliche Änderungen der Bodeneigenschaften selbst sowie durch Ungenauigkeiten in der Kartierung zu erwarten, die wenige Regeln für die Vergabe der Nährstoffzahl vorgibt. Insgesamt beurteilen wir die Modelle als gut geeignet, um sie landesweit anzuwenden. Allerdings ist zu erwarten, dass eine lokale Kalibrierung der Modelle für einzelne Wuchsgebiete die Modellgüte deutlich erhöht. Gleiches kann eine Zusammenfassung ähnlicher Stufen zu waldbaulich relevanten Obergruppen leisten.
Ableitung von Leitbodenprofilen für die Punkte der Bundeswaldinventur in Sachsen und Thüringen
(2016)
Die Bundeswaldinventur (BWI) ist als Stichprobenverfahren zur Erhebung der Daten von Waldfläche und Baumartenverteilung sowie Holzzuwachs und Holzvorrat etabliert. Um das Wachstum der Bäume besser beschreiben, erklären und vorhersagen zu können, werden neben anderen Standortsfaktoren Bodeninformationen an den Traktecken dieser Inventurpunkte benötigt. Im Rahmen dieser Publikation wird die Ableitung der Leitprofile zur Charakterisierung des Bodens am BWI-Punkt aus Weiserprofilen der Standortserkundung für Sachsen und Thüringen aufgezeigt. An 81 % der sächsischen und 87 % der thüringischen Traktecken konnten Leitprofile mit vollständigen bodenphysikalischen Eigenschaften zugeordnet werden. Diese umfassen die Horizontabfolge in der Tiefe, für jeden Horizont die Horizontbezeichnung, Sand-, Schluff- und Tongehalte, Skelettgehalte, Angaben zur Trockenrohdichte, zum Stau- und Grundwassereinfluss sowie zu Geologie und Schichtung. Die Standortsverhältnisse an den Traktecken, als Stichprobe der kartierten Waldfläche, sind repräsentativ für die landesweiten Verhältnisse. Die aus der Methodik resultierenden Unsicherheiten konnten beispielhaft quantifiziert werden und erwiesen sich als akzeptabel. Es hat sich gezeigt, dass die Ergebnisse der Aggregierung zu Leitprofilen recht robust gegenüber verschiedenen Aggregierungsansätzen sind. Damit ist es möglich, für die Traktecken der BWI Kenngrößen des Wasserhaushaltes zu berechnen, diese für die Standorts-Leistungs-Modellierung zu nutzen und damit das Waldwachstum besser zu beschreiben, zu erklären und zu prognostizieren.
Im Rahmen der forstlichen Standortserkundung werden Informationen über die für das Waldwachstum wichtigen Faktoren Lage, Klima und Boden erhoben. Diese Daten bilden die Grundlage für die Beurteilung eines Standortes hinsichtlich seiner Baumarteneignung, seines Leistungsvermögens und möglicher Produktionsrisiken. Die forstliche Standortskartierung ist föderal organisiert, sodass sich historisch länderspezifische Kartierverfahren entwickelt haben (Gauer 2009). Mit Ausnahme der ostdeutschen Bundesländer, in denen die Kartierung auf einer gemeinsamen Standortserkundungsanleitung basiert (Veb Forstprojektierung Potsdam 1974), existieren nur länderweise gültige Kartenwerke.
Die steigende Nachfrage nach großmaßstäblichen Standorts-und Bodeninformationen im Bereich der forstlichen Planungs- und Entscheidungsunterstützung umfasst auch die Grundwasserflurabstände. Diese gehen entweder direkt in statistische und prozessorientierte Modelle ein oder sind eine wichtige Grundlage für die digitale Standortsprognose. In dieser Untersuchung wurde für das niedersächsische Tiefland ein Disaggregierungsansatz entwickelt, mit dem der mittlere Grundwassertiefstand (MNGW) der flächendeckenden BÜK50 von Niedersachsen (1 : 50000) in die Grundwasserflurabstandseinstufung der Standortskartierung (1 : 25000) übersetzt werden kann, die nicht flächendeckend vorliegt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass durch die Disaggregierung eine Verbesserung der Ableitung von Grundwasserinformation für Waldstandorte aus der BÜK50 erreicht werden kann. Die Genauigkeit (AC) erhöhte sich von 0,64 auf 0,69 und der Kappa-Koeffizient von 0,34 auf 0,48. Trotzdem ist die Übereinstimmung zwischen modellierten und kartierten Einstufungen mit einem Kappa-Koeffizienten von 0,48 des Validierungsdatensatzes nur als „moderat“ zu bezeichnen.
Seit den 1980er Jahren wird in Baden-Württemberg die Bodenschutzkalkung angewendet, um Säureeinträge aus der Luft zu kompensieren. Die vorliegende Arbeit ist eine Auswertung der Kalkungsdokumentation aus Daten der Unteren Forstbehörden in Baden-Württemberg, die 2005 erstmalig von der FVA zusammengeführt wurde. Es wird dargestellt, dass der Fokus der Kalkungen bisher deutlich auf den Waldflächen des Schwarzwaldes lag, die durch die Grundgesteine des Buntsandsteins und des kristallinen Grundgebirges natürlicherweise und auch immissionsbedingt zu starken Bodenversauerungen neigen. Aber auch im Keuperbergland, dem Odenwald und im Verbreitungsgebiet der Altmoräne in Oberschwaben sind seit den 1980er Jahren regelmäßig Kalkungen durchgeführt worden. Die lehmigen Böden der Nördlichen Altmoräne wurden insbesondere seit 2005 deutlich mehr gekalkt, was die Veränderung der Kalkungsausrichtung hin zu den produktiveren, lehmigen Standorten zeigt. Die Auswertung der Kalkungsdokumentation geht auf verwendete Ausbringungsmaterialien und -techniken ein und stellt die unterschiedliche Flächenbedeutung der Waldkalkung für die zwei Schwerpunkt-Regionen Nordschwarzwald und Nördliche Altmoräne dar. Die Kalkungsdokumentation beruht auf analogen Karteneinträgen der Forstämter, welche die gekalkten Waldstandorte auf Ebene der Distrikte und Waldabteilungen abbilden, aber nicht detailscharf auf die Aussparung kalkungssensitiver Biotope eingehen.
Hartholzauwälder gehören mit bis zu acht Baumarten in der Kronenschicht zu den Wäldern mit der höchsten Baumartenvielfalt in Europa und beherbergen eine Vielzahl gefährdeter Pflanzen- und Tierarten. Das Fehlen von Eichen in der Etablierungsphase in ansonsten eichenreichen Waldgesellschaften wie Hartholzauen ist daher naturschutzfachlich gravierend. Vielerorts wird mit starken waldbaulichen Eingriffen und finanziellem Aufwand versucht, zumindest einen Anteil an Stieleiche in die nächste Bestandesgeneration hinüber zu retten. Hinzu kommt die eher konzeptionelle Frage der Natürlichkeit der Stieleiche in Hartholzauwäldern. In der Hartholzaue im Naturschutzgebiet Kühkopf-Knoblochsaue in Hessen wurde Stieleichenverjüngung in der Etablierungsphase auf zwei unterschiedlichen ungesteuerten Sukzessionsflächen untersucht, welche nach starken Hochwässern entstanden und von Hochwasser geprägt sind. Dies beinhaltet die Beschreibung des Standorts, die Quantifizierung der Eichenanteile, die Einschätzung ihrer Vitalität sowie die Charakterisierung des Wuchses der Stieleiche. Auf der insgesamt 4,53 Hektar großen Inventurfläche fanden sich fünf Strukturtypen (Straten) in Form (1) eines strauchreichen Pionierwalds; (2) eines offenen bis lückigen Gehölzkomplexes; (3) eines halboffenen bis geschlossenen Gehölzkomplexes; (4) eines fast geschlossenen Gebüschkomplexes, gezäunt; sowie (5) eines geschlossenen Pionierwalds, gezäunt. Auf diesen kamen insgesamt 155 Stieleichen vor und wurden aufgenommen (34 Stieleichen/ha). Es zeigte sich, dass Wildverbiss die Etablierung der Eiche zwar behinderte, dennoch in allen Straten stabile, vitale Jungeichen heranwachsen konnten. Starke Überschirmung und Konkurrenz durch Bodenvegetation wirkten sich negativ auf das Wachstum aus, bis hin zum Ausfall von Eichenverjüngung in Herden von Goldrute (Solidago canadensis) und Reitgras (Calamagrostis epigeios). Die Bestände am Kühkopf zeigen, dass sich die Stieleiche nach starken Hochwasserereignissen auf neu aufgelandetem Substrat unter den dann konkurrenzarmen Bedingungen und bei zugleich kontrolliertem Wildstand in Hartholzauen erfolgreich natürlich etabliert und auch in die Baumschicht einwächst, also Bestandteil der natürlichen Vegetation dieses Lebensraumes ist. Das Ausbleiben der natürlichen Eichenetablierung in den heutigen Überflutungsauen ist demnach auf die dort weitgehend fehlende Substratdynamik nach starken Hochwässern und damit fehlende natürliche Auensukzession sowie hohe Rehwilddichten zurückzuführen.
Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) is a dwarf shrub with high ecological relevance as habitat and as a food source for many animals in mountain forests of central Europe. This species benefits from conifer forests and declines with an increase of broadleaved tree species in the canopy. The ongoing large-scale conversion from conifer to broadleaved forests may significantly alter the ground vegetation, especially the dominance of a key species such as bilberry. We used morphological indicators to investigate the vitality of bilberry. The first objective was to determine whether the vitality of bilberry is negatively impacted by increasing the proportion of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst.) forests. The vitality of bilberry was measured by its cover, height, biomass, shoot length and basal diameter. The second objective was to determine whether these changes in bilberry vitality were related to light, canopy cover, soil pH, organic layer mass and tree species. The data was collected from three study areas in the southern and central Black Forest. The bedrock consisted of gneiss and granite whereas the stands were either: pure beech, a mixture of beech and spruce or pure spruce. The stands were located adjacent to each other. On all three areas a higher vitality of bilberry was observed under spruce compared to beech. Mixed effect models show that the occurrence of spruce is the most important variable explaining the increase in bilberry biomass. Light had a small positive effect, whereas soil properties had negligible effects and were site specific. These results are a strong indication of the negative influence that beech has on bilberry in conifer dominated forests. This has to be taken into consideration when developing silvicultural approaches and should be a consideration when making plans for the preservation of habitat for species like capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus L.). This is even more important today because the recent trend in central European forestry is to increase the proportion of beech.