Richard Fischer

Reactions to geovisualization: an experience from a European project

The paper is written jointly by two parties, computer scientists specializing in geovisualization and experts in forestry, who cooperated within a joint project. The authors tell a story about an attempt of the geovisualizers to introduce the foresters to the concept and principles of exploratory data analysis and to the use of visualization for systematic and comprehensive data exploration. This endeavor should be considered as an informal experiment rather than a rigorous scientific study. Unlike customary tests of the usability of specific tools and techniques, the geovisualizers did not give the forestry specialists a series of tasks to carry out by applying geovisualization tools and did not try to measure how well the foresters performed. The idea of the geovisualizers was to demonstrate the principles and power of exploratory data analysis to the foresters by example. For this purpose, the geovisualizers performed an exploration of a non‐trivial data set by themselves and reported the procedure, the principles, the techniques, and the findings to the foresters. The reaction of the foresters uncovered a range of fundamental issues that are relevant to geovisualization and information visualization research. The authors analyze these issues from their perspectives and formulate a set of questions which researchers in geovisualization should be asking.

Chapter 22 – Towards Supersites in Forest Ecosystem Monitoring and Research

Abstract Consequences of climate change in combination with air pollution for ecosystem services are multiple but hard to predict. To meet future challenges, a way forward is development of supersites in forest research. This chapter will elucidate the development of existing European forest monitoring and research infrastructures, describe harmonisation of databases and knowledge about climate change and air pollution impact on forest ecosystems and present knowledge gap statements from fifty experts affiliated with the COST FP0903 Action. The statements are structured within the following subjects: The carbon cycle in forests (LULUCF accounting), forest health and vitality, forest biodiversity, extent of forest resources, availability of wood and forest biomass, protective functions of forests and socio-economic information about the forest sector. This will provide a base of knowledge with regard to supersites in forest ecosystem monitoring and research.

Exceedance of critical loads and of critical limits impacts tree nutrition across Europe

Key messageExceedance of critical limits in soil solution samples was more frequent in intensively monitored forest plots across Europe with critical loads for acidity and eutrophication exceeded compared to other plots from the same network. Elevated inorganic nitrogen concentrations in soil solution tended to be related to less favourable nutritional status.ContextForests have been exposed to elevated atmospheric deposition of acidifying and eutrophying sulphur and nitrogen compounds for decades. Critical loads have been identified, below which damage due to acidification and eutrophication are not expected to occur.AimsWe explored the relationship between the exceedance of critical loads and inorganic nitrogen concentration, the base cation to aluminium ratio in soil solutions, as well as the nutritional status of trees.MethodsWe used recent data describing deposition, elemental concentrations in soil solution and foliage, as well as the level of damage to foliage recorded at forest plots of the ICP Forests intensive monitoring network across Europe.ResultsCritical loads for inorganic nitrogen deposition were exceeded on about a third to half of the forest plots. Elevated inorganic nitrogen concentrations in soil solution occurred more frequently among these plots. Indications of nutrient imbalances, such as low magnesium concentration in foliage or discolouration of needles and leaves, were seldom but appeared more frequently on plots where the critical limits for soil solution were exceeded.ConclusionThe findings support the hypothesis that elevated nitrogen and sulphur deposition can lead to imbalances in tree nutrition.

Relationships between forest floor vegetation on ICP Forests monitoring plots in Europe and basic variables in soil and nitrogen deposition

Forest floor vegetation is repeatedly assessed on intensive monitoring plots of the ICP Forests programme along with environmental parameters such as deposition and soil factors. Based on the floristic composition of the herb layer, detrended correspondence analyses (DCA) were performed. The first axis of a DCA based on 720 forest plots across Europe revealed a phytogeographic differentiation of the Mediterranean plots and may moreover partly reflect nationally deviating plot selection criteria. In a DCA with a reduced data set of 488 plots restricted to the nemoral zone of Europe the acidity status of the soil was the most decisive environmental factor. None of the available environmental factors was correlated with plot scores of the second and third DCA‐axis. However, scores of the fourth axis were significantly correlated with plot specific throughfall deposition of total nitrogen (R 2 = 0.27). Nitrogen indicating species like Ceratocapnos claviculata obtained high scores on that axis corroborating eutrophication effects of atmospheric nitrogen deposition on forest floor vegetation. The results of a DCA based on 97 plots with at least three repetitions in the years 1994–2003 did not reveal consistent temporal trends in plant species composition of the observed plots.

Pan-European Forest Monitoring: An Overview

Abstract Forest assessments aim at meeting a variety of information needs, such as forest health, forest volume and growth, carbon sequestration, biodiversity, as well as relationships between forests, climate change, and air pollution. Respective forest assessments have been implemented in Europe on different scales with different intensities. The ICP Forests has been established in 1985. With its currently more than 6800 large-scale and more than 760 intensive monitoring plots in Europe and with 40 countries of Europe as well as with Canada and the United States of America also participating, ICP Forests constitutes one of the largest forest monitoring programs in the world. It contributes cooperates with numerous scientific and political institutions and programs. In this context, an overview on current forest information needs and on monitoring approaches and initiatives is provided. Examples of main results are provided.Forest assessments aim at meeting a variety of information needs, such as forest health, forest volume and growth, carbon sequestration, biodiversity, as well as relationships between forests, climate change, and air pollution. Respective forest assessments have been implemented in Europe on different scales with different intensities. The ICP Forests has been established in 1985. With its currently more than 6800 large-scale and more than 760 intensive monitoring plots in Europe and with 40 countries of Europe as well as with Canada and the United States of America also participating, ICP Forests constitutes one of the largest forest monitoring programs in the world. It contributes cooperates with numerous scientific and political institutions and programs. In this context, an overview on current forest information needs and on monitoring approaches and initiatives is provided. Examples of main results are provided.

The Level II aggregated forest soil condition database links soil physicochemical and hydraulic properties with long-term observations of forest condition in Europe

Key messageAggregated, consolidated, and derived soil physicochemical data of 286 ICP Forests Level II plots were completed with soil hydraulic properties for integrated use with forest monitoring data. Database access should be requested athttp://icp-forests.net. Metadata associated available athttps://metadata-afs.nancy.inra.fr/geonetwork/apps/georchestra/?uuid=153e599e-6624-4e2b-b862-8124386ea9cd&hl=engContextThe ICP Forests database is one of the most comprehensive forest ecosystem datasets in Europe and contains the accumulated results of more than two decades of harmonised forest monitoring all over Europe.AimsThe aim of this paper is to share knowledge on the ICP Forests Level II soil data for broader use among forest scientists.MethodsAfter standard analysis, quality checks, aggregation, and calculation of derived variables (e.g. nutrient stocks, base saturation, C:N ratio, and water retention parameters), data have been gathered into a static database (AFSCDB.LII.2.2), which will be updated to new versions as soon as new measurements become available.ResultsThe database provides a basis for the combined evaluation of up to 130 unique soil variables of 286 plots with dynamic data on tree growth, ground vegetation, foliar chemistry, crown condition, tree phenology, leaf area index, ozone injury, litterfall, soil solution chemistry, deposition, ambient air quality, and meteorological data assessed on the same plots.ConclusionThe unprecedented comprehensiveness and level of detail in this newly aggregated database may overcome existing restrictions so far impeding the realisation of large-scale forest ecosystem studies in Europe.

Effects Evaluation and Risk Assessment of Air Pollutants Deposition at European Monitoring Sites of the ICP Forests

The study presents modelled critical deposition load exceedances for over 4,700 representatively selected forest plots in 21 European countries. It is based on measured soil data, different deposition scenarios and an application of the Simple Mass Balance (SMB) model. Effects of climate change on critical loads and exceedances are presented for 108 intensive monitoring plots in 17 countries. Results suggest hardly any more exceedances of critical loads for acidity in the near future. In contrast, even a maximum feasible emission reduction scenario which will leave 10 % of the forest sites unprotected against nitrogen effects by the year 2020. Full implementation of existing clean air legislation will result in 20 % of unprotected forest sites. Forests are less sensitive compared to other ecosystems as for these areas with exceedances are up to 58 %. Under a climate change scenario, decreasing critical loads suggest increasing sensitivity towards nutrient nitrogen inputs. When comparing critical load exceedances over the period 2020–2100, the share of ‘safe’ sites is assumed to decrease from 60 % (constant climate) to 50 % (climate change).

Chapter 24 - Reporting Forest Monitoring

Abstract The importance of translating the results of forest monitoring into useful commodities (i.e., data, information, knowledge, and wisdom) is discussed. The need for an effective communications strategy is stressed, following well-established reporting principles. Reporting may involve a range of communications specialists as well as those who collect the data, and scientists who analyze and interpret it. It is vital that the type of report is tailored to the needs of particular audiences, be they scientists or modelers, policy and/or decision makers. Monitoring platforms need to be increasingly aware of new opportunities for the data and information they generate. The internet is now enabling quicker and global reporting of monitoring outputs but also promoting two-way communication between user and consumer. A political movement to promote open access to all forms of monitoring data is gaining ground and some international and European regulations are already affecting the way forest monitoring outputs are placed in the public domain.