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Global changes, particularly rising temperatures, threaten food security in smallholder mountain communities by impacting the suitability of cultivation areas for many crops. Land-use intensification, associated with agrochemical use and tillage, threatens soil health and overall agroecosystem resilience. In the Andean region, farmers often cultivate crops at multiple elevations. Warming climates have led to a shift in cultivation upslope, but this is not feasible in many areas. Traditional soil fertility management practices together with a focus on traditional (orphan) crops offers promise to cope with rapid climate warming in the region. To understand the impacts of warming and changing nutrient management, we established two side-by-side experiments using the traditional Andean crops Oxalis tuberosa (Oca) and Lupinus mutabilis (Tarwi) at three elevations, each with two fertility treatments (organic and synthetic). Soil and climate data (i.e., temperature and precipitation) were collected throughout the growing season, and crop performance was evaluated through impacts on yield and other growth metrics (e.g., biomass, pest incidence). We used two-way ANOVA to assess the influence of site (elevation) and management type (organic vs. synthetic) on crop performance. Results indicated that warmer climates (i.e., lowest elevation) negatively impact the production and performance of O. tuberosa, but that organic fertilization (sheep manure) can help maintain crop yield and biomass production in warmer conditions relatively to synthetic nutrient inputs. In contrast, L. mutabilis showed accelerated growth in warmer conditions, but grain yield and biomass production were not significantly affected by site and showed no interaction with nutrient management. Our findings highlight that climate warming represents a serious threat to small-scale crop production in the Peruvian Andes and could cause severe declines in the production of locally important crops. Additionally, th

Mountain agroecosystems in Latin America provide multiple ecosystem functions (EFs) and products from global to local scales, particularly for the rural communities who depend on them. Agroforestry has been proposed as a climate-smart farming strategy throughout much of the region to help conserve biodiversity and enhance multiple EFs, especially in mountainous regions. However, large-scale synthesis on the potential of agroforestry across Latin America is lacking. To understand the potential impacts of agroforestry at the continental level, we conducted a meta-analysis examining the effects of agroforestry on biological activity and diversity (BIAD) and multiple EFs across mountain agroecosystems of Latin America. A total of 78 studies were selected based on a formalized literature search in the Web of Science. We analysed differences between (i) silvoarable systems versus cropland, (ii) silvopastoral systems versus pastureland, and (iii) agroforestry versus forest systems, based on response ratios. Response ratios were further used to understand how climate type, precipitation and soil properties (texture) influence key EFs (carbon sequestration, nutrient provision, erosion control, yield production) and BIAD in agroforestry systems. Results revealed that BIAD and EFs related to carbon sequestration and nutrient provisioning were generally higher in agroforestry systems (silvopastoral and silvoarable) compared to croplands and pasturelands without trees. However, the impacts of agroforestry systems on crop yields varied depending on the system considered (i.e., coffee vs. cereals), while forest systems generally provided greater levels of BIAD and EFs than agroforestry systems. Further analysis demonstrated that the impacts of agroforestry systems on BIAD and EFs depend greatly on climate type, soil, and precipitation. For example, silvoarable systems appear to generate the greatest benefits in arid or tropical climates, on sandier soils, and under lower precipita

The use of traditional medicinal plants plays an important role especially in remote rural and marginalized landscapes at different latitudes. In the development of nature conservation strategies based on local knowledge and sustainable resource management, medicinal herbs have been hypothesized to be cultural key stone species. Environmental education is a crucial driver for fostering environmental literacy and preserving local knowledge across generations. We conducted semi-structured interviews with stakeholders in the Autonomous Province of Bozen-South Tyrol (N Italy) to gain insights into, and reflections on, the cultural value of traditional medicinal plants and their interplay within the local landscape, nature conservation and their role in environmental education and knowledge transfer across generations. We also used a combination of purposive and snowball sampling to identify relevant actors. The different voices collected in the study clearly highlight the role of medicinal herbs in healthcare, for cultural identity of local communities and demonstrate a growing commercial market niche that maintains the local economy and services, including widespread offers related to environmental education, that have not, unfortunately, been used yet in the formal curricula of local schools. The latter is crucial for a holistic approach taking medicinal plants as an ideal vehicle to connect especially children with nature and history of South Tyrol, strengthening health education and overall environmental literacy, including species knowledge. However, the revival of herbal medicine and related knowledge do not prevent the continuous loss of local traditional knowledge regarding medicinal plants, recipes and use. More species and their uses are being forgotten due to superficialisation of knowledge and of mainstreaming and homogenization of the global market of herbal medicine. Safeguarding the natural and cultural treasures of South Tyrol for future generations is i, Peer Reviewed

Intensification of crop rotations and associated agricultural practices are reducing the capacity of traditional fallows to restore soil fertility and provide forage in Andean cropping systems. While the implementation of improved fallows offers great promise to enhance forage provision and maintain soil productivity, effects of these practices on the establishment of problematic weeds, including non-native plant species, remain poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, we studied: i) how biotic and abiotic environmental factors influence the establishment and productivity of weeds in traditional fallows; and ii) to what extent improved fallows can help control weedy vegetation in smallholder rotations of the high Andes. Specifically, in this research, we focused on the invasive plant species Rumex acetosella L., which is a common concern of farmers throughout the central Peruvian Andes. We leveraged a multi-site, participatory research trial established in 2017 across eight communities in the region to understand the main drivers of R. acetosella presence and productivity. We used a total of 82 sites, each with paired treatments of traditional fallow (control with natural revegetation) and improved fallow (seeded with Vicia sativa L. and Avena sativa L.). Prior to treatment establishment we measured soil texture, pH, soil organic matter content as well as exchangeable macro-nutrients. Vegetation data was recorded in each treatment and divided into four categories: 1) A. sativa, 2) V. sativa, 3) R. acetosella, and 4) other weeds, and weighed to determine the relative biomass contribution of each. From these data, we calculated an index for R. acetosella pressure, weed pressure, and forage productivity. Our findings indicate that improved fallows greatly suppress weedy vegetation relative to unmanaged controls, including the invasive R. acetosella. Multivariate analyses suggested that R. acetosella abundance was associated with the presence of other non-plant

In the Brazilian Cerrado, the land-use change caused by the expansion and intensification of agribusiness farming has led to dramatic socio-environmental problems. To foster sustainable development, Brazilian farming students have to learn about land use according to the Sustainable Development Goals and how to implement them on their home farm and future workplace. Through a questionnairebased survey, our study explored the perceptions of 128 students at the Family Farming High School of Porto Nacional on the sustainability of farming systems in the Cerrado of Tocantins. We analyzed the effectiveness of the school in teaching sustainability, the students’ occupational preferences and perspectives, and their sentiment about three common farming systems in the Cerrado of Tocantins, i.e., agribusiness, family farming, and agroecological farming, and their opinion on the business relationships among the three systems. Even though our study confirmed the effectiveness of school-work alternation models in transferring sustainability practices from school to home farms, it also revealed farming students’ poor understanding of the systemic definition of sustainability. Students defined sustainable and unsustainable farms with different perspectives and evaluation criteria, most of them referring to environmental indicators such as the way materials are used, whether the natural environment is protected, and whether biodiversity is preserved on the farm. There is a discrepancy between students’ occupational preference and their prevalent sentiment about family farming, agribusiness, and agroecological farming. While more than half of them would accept reloto work on an agribusiness farm, significantly more students have a positive sentiment in favor of family farming and agroecological farming than agribusiness farming. The three farmin, No Cerrado, a transformação do uso da terra causada pela expansão e intensificação da agricultura do agronegócio tem levado a problemas socioambientais dramáticos. Para promover o desenvolvimento sustentável, é fundamental ensinar aos estudantes brasileiros de agricultura os Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável relacionados ao uso da terra e como implementá-los em sua propriedade de origem e em seu futuro lugar de trabalho. Por meio de uma pesquisa baseada em questionários, nosso estudo explorou as percepções de 128 alunos da Escola Família Agrícola de Porto Nacional sobre a sustentabilidade dos sistemas agrícolas no Cerrado de Tocantins. Analisamos a eficácia da escola no ensino da sustentabilidade, as preferências e perspectivas profissionais dos alunos, seus sentimentos em relação a três sistemas agrícolas comuns no Cerrado de Tocantins — ou seja, agronegócio, agricultura familiar e agroecológica — e suas opiniões sobre as relações comerciais entre os três sistemas. Embora nosso estudo tenha confirmado a eficácia dos modelos de alternância entre escola e trabalho na transferência de práticas de sustentabilidade da escola às propriedades familiares, também revelou ser fraco o entendimento dos estudantes campesinos sobre a definição sistêmica de sustentabilidade. Eles definiram produções sustentáveis e insustentáveis com diferentes perspectivas e critérios de avaliação. A maioria deles referia-se a indicadores ambientais como a maneira pela qual os materiais são usados, como o ambiente natural é protegido e a biodiversidade é preservada na propriedade da fazenda. Existe uma discrepância entre a preferência ocupacional dos estudantes e seu sentimento prevalente para a agricultura familiar, agroindustrial e agroecológica. Apesar de mais da metade deles aceitarem trabalhar em uma empresa de agronegócios, significativamente mais estudantes tê

In the Brazilian Cerrado, the land-use change caused by the expansion and intensification of agribusiness farming has led to dramatic socio-environmental problems. To foster sustainable development, Brazilian farming students have to learn about land use according to the Sustainable Development Goals and how to implement them on their home farm and future workplace. Through a questionnairebased survey, our study explored the perceptions of 128 students at the Family Farming High School of Porto Nacional on the sustainability of farming systems in the Cerrado of Tocantins. We analyzed the effectiveness of the school in teaching sustainability, the students’ occupational preferences and perspectives, and their sentiment about three common farming systems in the Cerrado of Tocantins, i.e., agribusiness, family farming, and agroecological farming, and their opinion on the business relationships among the three systems. Even though our study confirmed the effectiveness of school-work alternation models in transferring sustainability practices from school to home farms, it also revealed farming students’ poor understanding of the systemic definition of sustainability. Students defined sustainable and unsustainable farms with different perspectives and evaluation criteria, most of them referring to environmental indicators such as the way materials are used, whether the natural environment is protected, and whether biodiversity is preserved on the farm. There is a discrepancy between students’ occupational preference and their prevalent sentiment about family farming, agribusiness, and agroecological farming. While more than half of them would accept reloto work on an agribusiness farm, significantly more students have a positive sentiment in favor of family farming and agroecological farming than agribusiness farming. The three farmin, No Cerrado, a transformação do uso da terra causada pela expansão e intensificação da agricultura do agronegócio tem levado a problemas socioambientais dramáticos. Para promover o desenvolvimento sustentável, é fundamental ensinar aos estudantes brasileiros de agricultura os Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável relacionados ao uso da terra e como implementá-los em sua propriedade de origem e em seu futuro lugar de trabalho. Por meio de uma pesquisa baseada em questionários, nosso estudo explorou as percepções de 128 alunos da Escola Família Agrícola de Porto Nacional sobre a sustentabilidade dos sistemas agrícolas no Cerrado de Tocantins. Analisamos a eficácia da escola no ensino da sustentabilidade, as preferências e perspectivas profissionais dos alunos, seus sentimentos em relação a três sistemas agrícolas comuns no Cerrado de Tocantins — ou seja, agronegócio, agricultura familiar e agroecológica — e suas opiniões sobre as relações comerciais entre os três sistemas. Embora nosso estudo tenha confirmado a eficácia dos modelos de alternância entre escola e trabalho na transferência de práticas de sustentabilidade da escola às propriedades familiares, também revelou ser fraco o entendimento dos estudantes campesinos sobre a definição sistêmica de sustentabilidade. Eles definiram produções sustentáveis e insustentáveis com diferentes perspectivas e critérios de avaliação. A maioria deles referia-se a indicadores ambientais como a maneira pela qual os materiais são usados, como o ambiente natural é protegido e a biodiversidade é preservada na propriedade da fazenda. Existe uma discrepância entre a preferência ocupacional dos estudantes e seu sentimento prevalente para a agricultura familiar, agroindustrial e agroecológica. Apesar de mais da metade deles aceitarem trabalhar em uma empresa de agronegócios, significativamente mais estudantes tê

In the Brazilian Cerrado, the land-use change caused by the expansion and intensification of agribusiness farming has led to dramatic socio-environmental problems. To foster sustainable development, Brazilian farming students have to learn about land use according to the Sustainable Development Goals and how to implement them on their home farm and future workplace. Through a questionnairebased survey, our study explored the perceptions of 128 students at the Family Farming High School of Porto Nacional on the sustainability of farming systems in the Cerrado of Tocantins. We analyzed the effectiveness of the school in teaching sustainability, the students’ occupational preferences and perspectives, and their sentiment about three common farming systems in the Cerrado of Tocantins, i.e., agribusiness, family farming, and agroecological farming, and their opinion on the business relationships among the three systems. Even though our study confirmed the effectiveness of school-work alternation models in transferring sustainability practices from school to home farms, it also revealed farming students’ poor understanding of the systemic definition of sustainability. Students defined sustainable and unsustainable farms with different perspectives and evaluation criteria, most of them referring to environmental indicators such as the way materials are used, whether the natural environment is protected, and whether biodiversity is preserved on the farm. There is a discrepancy between students’ occupational preference and their prevalent sentiment about family farming, agribusiness, and agroecological farming. While more than half of them would accept reloto work on an agribusiness farm, significantly more students have a positive sentiment in favor of family farming and agroecological farming than agribusiness farming. The three farmin, No Cerrado, a transformação do uso da terra causada pela expansão e intensificação da agricultura do agronegócio tem levado a problemas socioambientais dramáticos. Para promover o desenvolvimento sustentável, é fundamental ensinar aos estudantes brasileiros de agricultura os Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável relacionados ao uso da terra e como implementá-los em sua propriedade de origem e em seu futuro lugar de trabalho. Por meio de uma pesquisa baseada em questionários, nosso estudo explorou as percepções de 128 alunos da Escola Família Agrícola de Porto Nacional sobre a sustentabilidade dos sistemas agrícolas no Cerrado de Tocantins. Analisamos a eficácia da escola no ensino da sustentabilidade, as preferências e perspectivas profissionais dos alunos, seus sentimentos em relação a três sistemas agrícolas comuns no Cerrado de Tocantins — ou seja, agronegócio, agricultura familiar e agroecológica — e suas opiniões sobre as relações comerciais entre os três sistemas. Embora nosso estudo tenha confirmado a eficácia dos modelos de alternância entre escola e trabalho na transferência de práticas de sustentabilidade da escola às propriedades familiares, também revelou ser fraco o entendimento dos estudantes campesinos sobre a definição sistêmica de sustentabilidade. Eles definiram produções sustentáveis e insustentáveis com diferentes perspectivas e critérios de avaliação. A maioria deles referia-se a indicadores ambientais como a maneira pela qual os materiais são usados, como o ambiente natural é protegido e a biodiversidade é preservada na propriedade da fazenda. Existe uma discrepância entre a preferência ocupacional dos estudantes e seu sentimento prevalente para a agricultura familiar, agroindustrial e agroecológica. Apesar de mais da metade deles aceitarem trabalhar em uma empresa de agronegócios, significativamente mais estudantes tê

In the Brazilian Cerrado, the land-use change caused by the expansion and intensification of agribusiness farming has led to dramatic socio-environmental problems. To foster sustainable development, Brazilian farming students have to learn about land use according to the Sustainable Development Goals and how to implement them on their home farm and future workplace. Through a questionnairebased survey, our study explored the perceptions of 128 students at the Family Farming High School of Porto Nacional on the sustainability of farming systems in the Cerrado of Tocantins. We analyzed the effectiveness of the school in teaching sustainability, the students’ occupational preferences and perspectives, and their sentiment about three common farming systems in the Cerrado of Tocantins, i.e., agribusiness, family farming, and agroecological farming, and their opinion on the business relationships among the three systems. Even though our study confirmed the effectiveness of school-work alternation models in transferring sustainability practices from school to home farms, it also revealed farming students’ poor understanding of the systemic definition of sustainability. Students defined sustainable and unsustainable farms with different perspectives and evaluation criteria, most of them referring to environmental indicators such as the way materials are used, whether the natural environment is protected, and whether biodiversity is preserved on the farm. There is a discrepancy between students’ occupational preference and their prevalent sentiment about family farming, agribusiness, and agroecological farming. While more than half of them would accept reloto work on an agribusiness farm, significantly more students have a positive sentiment in favor of family farming and agroecological farming than agribusiness farming. The three farmin, No Cerrado, a transformação do uso da terra causada pela expansão e intensificação da agricultura do agronegócio tem levado a problemas socioambientais dramáticos. Para promover o desenvolvimento sustentável, é fundamental ensinar aos estudantes brasileiros de agricultura os Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável relacionados ao uso da terra e como implementá-los em sua propriedade de origem e em seu futuro lugar de trabalho. Por meio de uma pesquisa baseada em questionários, nosso estudo explorou as percepções de 128 alunos da Escola Família Agrícola de Porto Nacional sobre a sustentabilidade dos sistemas agrícolas no Cerrado de Tocantins. Analisamos a eficácia da escola no ensino da sustentabilidade, as preferências e perspectivas profissionais dos alunos, seus sentimentos em relação a três sistemas agrícolas comuns no Cerrado de Tocantins — ou seja, agronegócio, agricultura familiar e agroecológica — e suas opiniões sobre as relações comerciais entre os três sistemas. Embora nosso estudo tenha confirmado a eficácia dos modelos de alternância entre escola e trabalho na transferência de práticas de sustentabilidade da escola às propriedades familiares, também revelou ser fraco o entendimento dos estudantes campesinos sobre a definição sistêmica de sustentabilidade. Eles definiram produções sustentáveis e insustentáveis com diferentes perspectivas e critérios de avaliação. A maioria deles referia-se a indicadores ambientais como a maneira pela qual os materiais são usados, como o ambiente natural é protegido e a biodiversidade é preservada na propriedade da fazenda. Existe uma discrepância entre a preferência ocupacional dos estudantes e seu sentimento prevalente para a agricultura familiar, agroindustrial e agroecológica. Apesar de mais da metade deles aceitarem trabalhar em uma empresa de agronegócios, significativamente mais estudantes tê

During the last decades, an ongoing spread of broad-leaved evergreen laurophyllous species has been reported for forests of Southern Europe. Several factors were suggested as the main drivers of the phenomenon, namely global warming, land-use change, evolutionary history, and increase in atmospheric CO2. Among laurophylls, Laurus nobilis L. is considered one of the most prominent from the morphological, evolutionary, and ecological point of view. We studied the population structure of L. nobilis in Central Italy in its natural habitat to investigate its regeneration and potential expansion along with the influence biotic and abiotic factors. To define types of population structures, we collected proportions of six growth classes of L. nobilis in 16 sites. We obtained three types of population structure, i.e., (1) stable, (2) dynamic, and (3) regressive. The first two types are the most frequent, suggesting a potential increase of L. nobilis abundance within forests of Central Italy. The regressive population type occurs mainly in sites with heavy ungulate impact. High propagule pressure along with shaded and moist environmental conditions favor L. nobilis regeneration. Accordingly, we found evidence of a recent L. nobilis spread in Central Italian forests. We suggest the increase of forest cover and age, due to the abandonment of traditional rural practices, as key factors for the regeneration of this apparently late-successional laurophyll. In conclusion, the recent expansion of L. nobilis that we observed in the Italian forest stands can therefore be ascribed to a process of natural recover of a potential niche following land-use change.

During the last decades, an ongoing spread of broad-leaved evergreen laurophyllous species has been reported for forests of Southern Europe. Several factors were suggested as the main drivers of the phenomenon, namely global warming, land-use change, evolutionary history, and increase in atmospheric CO2. Among laurophylls, Laurus nobilis L. is considered one of the most prominent from the morphological, evolutionary, and ecological point of view. We studied the population structure of L. nobilis in Central Italy in its natural habitat to investigate its regeneration and potential expansion along with the influence biotic and abiotic factors. To define types of population structures, we collected proportions of six growth classes of L. nobilis in 16 sites. We obtained three types of population structure, i.e., (1) stable, (2) dynamic, and (3) regressive. The first two types are the most frequent, suggesting a potential increase of L. nobilis abundance within forests of Central Italy. The regressive population type occurs mainly in sites with heavy ungulate impact. High propagule pressure along with shaded and moist environmental conditions favor L. nobilis regeneration. Accordingly, we found evidence of a recent L. nobilis spread in Central Italian forests. We suggest the increase of forest cover and age, due to the abandonment of traditional rural practices, as key factors for the regeneration of this apparently late-successional laurophyll. In conclusion, the recent expansion of L. nobilis that we observed in the Italian forest stands can therefore be ascribed to a process of natural recover of a potential niche following land-use change.

During the last decades, an ongoing spread of broad-leaved evergreen laurophyllous species has been reported for forests of Southern Europe. Several factors were suggested as the main drivers of the phenomenon, namely global warming, land-use change, evolutionary history, and increase in atmospheric CO2. Among laurophylls, Laurus nobilis L. is considered one of the most prominent from the morphological, evolutionary, and ecological point of view. We studied the population structure of L. nobilis in Central Italy in its natural habitat to investigate its regeneration and potential expansion along with the influence biotic and abiotic factors. To define types of population structures, we collected proportions of six growth classes of L. nobilis in 16 sites. We obtained three types of population structure, i.e., (1) stable, (2) dynamic, and (3) regressive. The first two types are the most frequent, suggesting a potential increase of L. nobilis abundance within forests of Central Italy. The regressive population type occurs mainly in sites with heavy ungulate impact. High propagule pressure along with shaded and moist environmental conditions favor L. nobilis regeneration. Accordingly, we found evidence of a recent L. nobilis spread in Central Italian forests. We suggest the increase of forest cover and age, due to the abandonment of traditional rural practices, as key factors for the regeneration of this apparently late-successional laurophyll. In conclusion, the recent expansion of L. nobilis that we observed in the Italian forest stands can therefore be ascribed to a process of natural recover of a potential niche following land-use change.

During the last decades, an ongoing spread of broad-leaved evergreen laurophyllous species has been reported for forests of Southern Europe. Several factors were suggested as the main drivers of the phenomenon, namely global warming, land-use change, evolutionary history, and increase in atmospheric CO2. Among laurophylls, Laurus nobilis L. is considered one of the most prominent from the morphological, evolutionary, and ecological point of view. We studied the population structure of L. nobilis in Central Italy in its natural habitat to investigate its regeneration and potential expansion along with the influence biotic and abiotic factors. To define types of population structures, we collected proportions of six growth classes of L. nobilis in 16 sites. We obtained three types of population structure, i.e., (1) stable, (2) dynamic, and (3) regressive. The first two types are the most frequent, suggesting a potential increase of L. nobilis abundance within forests of Central Italy. The regressive population type occurs mainly in sites with heavy ungulate impact. High propagule pressure along with shaded and moist environmental conditions favor L. nobilis regeneration. Accordingly, we found evidence of a recent L. nobilis spread in Central Italian forests. We suggest the increase of forest cover and age, due to the abandonment of traditional rural practices, as key factors for the regeneration of this apparently late-successional laurophyll. In conclusion, the recent expansion of L. nobilis that we observed in the Italian forest stands can therefore be ascribed to a process of natural recover of a potential niche following land-use change.

During the last decades, an ongoing spread of broad-leaved evergreen laurophyllous species has been reported for forests of Southern Europe. Several factors were suggested as the main drivers of the phenomenon, namely global warming, land-use change, evolutionary history, and increase in atmospheric CO2. Among laurophylls, Laurus nobilis L. is considered one of the most prominent from the morphological, evolutionary, and ecological point of view. We studied the population structure of L. nobilis in Central Italy in its natural habitat to investigate its regeneration and potential expansion along with the influence biotic and abiotic factors. To define types of population structures, we collected proportions of six growth classes of L. nobilis in 16 sites. We obtained three types of population structure, i.e., (1) stable, (2) dynamic, and (3) regressive. The first two types are the most frequent, suggesting a potential increase of L. nobilis abundance within forests of Central Italy. The regressive population type occurs mainly in sites with heavy ungulate impact. High propagule pressure along with shaded and moist environmental conditions favor L. nobilis regeneration. Accordingly, we found evidence of a recent L. nobilis spread in Central Italian forests. We suggest the increase of forest cover and age, due to the abandonment of traditional rural practices, as key factors for the regeneration of this apparently late-successional laurophyll. In conclusion, the recent expansion of L. nobilis that we observed in the Italian forest stands can therefore be ascribed to a process of natural recover of a potential niche following land-use change.

Background: Worldwide mountain regions are recognized as hotspots of ethnopharmacologically relevant species diversity. In South Tyrol (Southern Alps, Italy), and due to the region’s high plant diversity and isolated population, a unique traditional botanical knowledge of medicinal plants has flourished, which traces its history back to prehistoric times. However, changes in rural life and culture may threaten this unique biodiversity and cultural heritage. Our study aims to collect and analyze information on native plants used in traditional folk medicine, focusing on the preservation of botanical and cultural diversity. Methods: Data were collected through a review of published material that documents traditionally used medicinal plants of South Tyrol in order to capture the total diversity of plants and their usage. We evaluated different parameters, comprising the ethnobotanicity index (EI), ethnophytonomic index (EPI), relative frequency of citation (RFC), red list status, and regional legislation with regard to the plant species. Results: A total of 276 species, including 3 mushrooms and 3 lichens, were identified. These belonged to 72 families, most frequently to the Asteraceae, Rosaceae, and Lamiaceae. The most frequently cited species were Hypericum perforatum L., Urtica dioica L., and Plantago lanceolata L. According to 12 ICPC-2 disease categories, the most frequently treated human health symptoms were from the digestive and respiratory systems as well as the skin. A total of 27 species were listed as endangered, of which 16 are not protected and two are now already extinct. Among the 59 predominantly alpine species, 11 species are restricted to the high altitudes of the Alps and may be threatened by global warming. Conclusions: Our research revealed that the ethnobotanical richness of South Tyrol is among the highest in Italy and throughout the Alps. Nevertheless, it is evident that biodiversity and traditional knowledge have been heavily eroded. Further, Peer Reviewed

Background: Worldwide mountain regions are recognized as hotspots of ethnopharmacologically relevant species diversity. In South Tyrol (Southern Alps, Italy), and due to the region’s high plant diversity and isolated population, a unique traditional botanical knowledge of medicinal plants has flourished, which traces its history back to prehistoric times. However, changes in rural life and culture may threaten this unique biodiversity and cultural heritage. Our study aims to collect and analyze information on native plants used in traditional folk medicine, focusing on the preservation of botanical and cultural diversity. Methods: Data were collected through a review of published material that documents traditionally used medicinal plants of South Tyrol in order to capture the total diversity of plants and their usage. We evaluated different parameters, comprising the ethnobotanicity index (EI), ethnophytonomic index (EPI), relative frequency of citation (RFC), red list status, and regional legislation with regard to the plant species. Results: A total of 276 species, including 3 mushrooms and 3 lichens, were identified. These belonged to 72 families, most frequently to the Asteraceae, Rosaceae, and Lamiaceae. The most frequently cited species were Hypericum perforatum L., Urtica dioica L., and Plantago lanceolata L. According to 12 ICPC-2 disease categories, the most frequently treated human health symptoms were from the digestive and respiratory systems as well as the skin. A total of 27 species were listed as endangered, of which 16 are not protected and two are now already extinct. Among the 59 predominantly alpine species, 11 species are restricted to the high altitudes of the Alps and may be threatened by global warming. Conclusions: Our research revealed that the ethnobotanical richness of South Tyrol is among the highest in Italy and throughout the Alps. Nevertheless, it is evident that biodiversity and traditional knowledge have been heavily eroded. Further, Peer Reviewed

Questions European native laurophyllous species are interesting for their biogeography and evolutionary history, as well as for their responses to global changes. We identified Italian native laurophylls on the basis of morphology, biogeographical history and ecological niche to study whether these species are in equilibrium with the present-day climate. Furthermore, we localized Quaternary refugia and areas of potential spread of native laurophylls using distribution patterns of realized and potential aggregations of native laurophylls, respectively. Location Italy. Methods We extracted data for 17 087 forest plots from a phytosociological database. Detrended Correspondence Analysis of these plots with overlay of climatic and environmental variables was performed to identify native laurophylls, i.e., evergreen broad-leaved species of late Tertiary radiation, occupying a warm and humid niche. Potential ranges of laurophylls were calculated using Beals' index of sociological favourability. The realized/potential range-size ratio was calculated for each single laurophyll to understand whether it is in equilibrium with the present-day climate. Distribution patterns of realized and potential aggregations of laurophylls were mapped. Results Ordination analysis provided a selection of 11 species as Italian native laurophylls. Most of them occupied less than half of their estimated potential range. Realized aggregations richest in native laurophylls were localized in the central Apennines. However, the Italian forests showed high potential for native laurophylls with the richest potential aggregations in the whole Apennines and in the southern Alps. Conclusions Most of the Italian native laurophylls showed non-equilibrium with the current climate, suggesting that late-Quaternary events could better explain their present-day distribution than on-going climate change. Furthermore, their refugia in central Italy suggest the persistence in sites with temperate climate during Q

Laurus nobilis L. (Laurel) is considered one of the most emblematic epigones of the late-Tertiary laurophyllous biome, persisting within the Mediterranean vegetation. Describing its present ecology and coenology is crucial to understand its biogeographical history as well as to develop consistent conservation and management practices in the context of the European Habitat Directive. We used recently available vegetation and environmental databases to investigate the coenological amplitude of Laurus in Italy, and to elucidate significant aspects of its persistence in the country. The coenological amplitude was assessed using the clustering method. Ordination techniques and regression trees were used to understand which environmental factors influence, respectively, the occurrence and the abundance of the species and, therefore, characterize its niche. Our results show a wide coenological amplitude of Laurus with respect to other laurophyllous species, growing within a wide range of forest communities. While the occurrence of the species is limited by winter temperature and favored by precipitation seasonality, changes in its abundance show a more refined pattern. In this latter case, two main groups of Laurus populations were differentiated based on water availability. The first group depends on abundant precipitations during the year while the second one buffers the summer aridity with soils rich in nutrients and moisture. Our findings provide crucial knowledge on Laurus habitats in Italy. However, discrepancies between our results and guidelines of the European Habitat Directive arose. The results presented here allow scientifically sound procedures for the regional conservation and management program.

Bioindicators are organisms able to provide indirectly or directly information on the impact of pollutants in the environment. The content of heavy metals or other toxic compounds in these living organisms is of great interest to assess the level of contaminants. Leaves of the most common deciduous trees (Acer pseudoplatanus L., Betula pendula Roth, Carpinus betulus L., Cercis siliquastrum L., Ginkgo biloba L., Liquidambar styraciflua, Quercus robur L. and Tilia cordata Miller) and two invasive tree species Ailanthus altissima P. Mill. and Robinia pseudoacacia L., in the City of Bolzano (southern Alps in Northern Italy), were therefore studied to assess their suitability as bioindicators for the trace elements Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn, mainly considered as traffic related elements. Leaves and soil samples were investigated, both from high-density traffic roads and control sites of minor traffic impact, such as parks. Our data reveal that Betula pendula has a considerable Zn accumulation potential compared to the other investigated tree species. The maximum value measured for Zn in a Betula specimen is 200 mg kg-1 dry weight. With regard to the soils, considering the geoaccumulation index, most of the analyzed soils belong to the first class, i. e. uncontaminated (Igeo ≤ 0) for all analyzed elements. Moreover, in several samples collected in high traffic areas, Cu and Zn show values within 1 < Igeo ≤ 2 (moderately contaminated). This allows to hypothesize a traffic-related origin for these elements. For this reason, B. pendula can be considered a potential heavy metal accumulator and therefore a good bioindicator for these urban pollutants. Since B. pendula is widely distributed in urban areas in Central and Northern Europe, it can be considered a species suitable for a systematic and comparative monitoring network., Bioindikatoren sind Organismen, die Informationen über die Auswirkungen von Schadstoffen in der Umwelt direkt oder indirekt bereitstellen. Den Gehalt von Schwermetallen und anderen toxischen Verbindungen in diesen Organismen zu bestimmen, ist von großem Interesse, um die Schadstoffbelastung der Umwelt zu bewerten. Daher wurden Blätter der häufigsten Laubbäume entlang der Straßen in der Stadt Bozen (S-Alpen in Norditalien) untersucht, namentlich von Acer pseudoplatanus L., Ailanthus altissima P. Mill., Betula pendula Roth, Carpinus betulus L., Cercis siliquastrum L., Ginkgo biloba L., Liquidambar styraciflua, Quercus robur L., Robinia pseudoacacia L. und Tilia cordata Miller, um deren Eignung als Bioindikatoren für die Spurenelemente Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb und Zn zu bewerten. Blätter und Bodenproben von Straßen mit hoher Verkehrsbelastung wurden mit denen mit geringer Verkehrsbelastung (z. B. Parks) verglichen. Unsere Daten belegen, dass Betula pendula ein erhebliches Akkumulationspotenzial von Zn im Vergleich zu den anderen untersuchten Baumarten hat. Der Maximalwert für Zn in einer Blattprobe der Birke beträgt 200 mg kg-1 Trockengewicht. Bezüglich des bodenkundlichen geoaccumulation index gehören die meisten der untersuchten Böden für alle analysierten Elemente zur ersten Klasse, das heißt „unbelastet“ (Igeo ≤ 0). Allerdings weisen Proben von stark verkehrsbelasteten Straßen Cu- und Zn-Werte von 1 < Igeo ≤ 2, d. h. „mäßig belastet“ auf. Dies lässt auf die Herkunft dieser Elemente aus dem Straßenverkehr schließen. Mit ihrer Eigenschaft Schwermetalle anzureichern, wurde die Birke (B. pendula) als ein potenzieller Bioindikator in Städten identifiziert. Da B. pendula in Stadtgebieten Mittel- und Nordeuropas weit verbreitet ist, scheint die Art für ein systematisches und vergleichendes Monitoring geeignet zu sein.

Forstgesellschaften mit vom Menschen künstlich geförderten Baumarten (v.a. Fichte und Kiefer) haben seit der ersten Hälfte des letzten Jahrhunderts einen hohen Anteil an der forstwirtschaftlich genutzten Fläche im deutschen Mittelgebirgsraum. Es wird erörtert, warum es unter Anwendung pflanzensoziologischer Methoden konsequent und zweckmäßig erscheint, auch rein anthropogene Gehölzbestände als Assoziationen zu beschreiben, soweit sie eigene, von anderen Pflanzengesellschaften abgrenzbare Artenverbindungen aufweisen. Das Galio harcynici-Culto-Piceetum als Ersatzgesellschaft vor allem der bodensauren Hainsimsen-Buchenwälder in den nord- und mitteldeutschen Mittelgebirgen wird vorgestellt und vegetationskundlich charakterisiert. Der Harzer Labkraut-Fichtenforst besitzt eine floristisch-soziologisch eigenständige Artenkombination und zeichnet sich durch forstspezifische Strukturmerkmale aus. Es werden fünf Untergesellschaften differenziert und deren Standorte kurz beschrieben. Beobachtungen von guter Naturverjüngung der Fichte lassen erwarten, daß die künstlich geförderte Gehölzart heute auch außerhalb ihres natürlichen Verbreitungsgebietes zum festen Bestandteil der Vegetation zu rechnen ist., Timber plantations (Forstgesellschaften) with artificially raised tree species (mainly spruce and pine) have occurred widely in German mountain regions since the first half of the last century. It has been argued that purely anthropogenic woody plant communities should also be described phytosociologically as associations, inasmuch as they have their own combinations of species which are different from those of other communities. The Galio harcynici-Culto-Piceetum, which replaces acidic white woodrush-beech forests in north and central Germany, is introduced and characterized sociologically. The heath bedstraw-spruce forest has a specific floristic and sociological species composition and structural features which are typical for timber plantations. Five sub-communities were distinguished and their sites described. It is expected that with the observed good natural rejuvenation of the spruce, this artificially supported woody species is also now a naturalized part of the vegetation beyond its natural distribution.

Population growth in urban areas is a world-wide phenomenon. According to a recent United Nations report, over half of the world now lives in cities. Numerous health and environmental issues arise from this unprecedented urbanization. Recent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of urban green spaces and the role they play in improving both the aesthetics and the quality of life of its residents. In particular, urban green spaces provide ecosystem services such as: urban air quality improvement by removing pollutants that can cause serious health problems, carbon storage, carbon sequestration and climate regulation through shading and evapotranspiration. Furthermore, epidemiological studies with controlled age, sex, marital and socio-economic status, have provided evidence of a positive relationship between green space and the life expectancy of senior citizens. However, there is little information on the role of public green spaces in mid-sized cities in northern Italy. To address this need, a study was conducted to assess the ecosystem services of urban green spaces in the city of Bolzano, South Tyrol, Italy. In particular, we quantified the cooling effect of urban trees and the hourly amount of pollution removed by the urban forest. The information was gathered using field data collected through local hourly air pollution readings, tree inventory and simulation models. During the study we quantified pollution removal for ozone, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and particulate matter (<10 microns). We estimated the above ground carbon stored and annually sequestered by the urban forest. Results have been compared to transportation CO2 emissions to determine the CO2 offset potential of urban streetscapes. Furthermore, we assessed commonly used methods for estimating carbon stored and sequestered by urban trees in the city of Bolzano. We also quantified ecosystem disservices such as hourly urban forest volatile organic compound emissions.

Mit Heft 10 von WLN (Waldökologie, Landschaftsforschung und Naturschutz) setzen wir die erfolgreiche Tradition von thematisch fokussierten Sonderheften fort, die sich mit ihren Beiträgen einem aktuellen Forschungskomplex der Landschaftsforschung widmen. Im vorliegenden Heft finden Sie ausgewählte Fachbeiträge zum Thema Ökosystemrenaturierung und nachhaltiges Management von Flüssen und Feuchtgebieten, die einer Tagung an der Hochschule Magdeburg-Stendal im Juni 2009 entstammen. Der geographische Fokus der vorgestellten Arbeiten reicht von Mitteleuropa bis Südamerika und Zentralasien und die inhaltliche Breite bewegt sich von Feuchtgebieten zu Fließgewässern und von der Erfassung natürlicher Prozesse bis zum intensiven Management von Ökosystemen. Da Naturschutz in unserer anthropogen überprägten Welt neben der Bewahrung der „Restnatur“ auch in starkem Maße die Wiederherstellung der Funktionsfähigkeit der Ökosysteme beinhaltet, freuen wir uns, dass sich Heft 10 diesem Thema in besonderer Weise widmet.

Die Verfügbarkeit von Wasser beschreibt eine der wichtigsten Ressourcen weltweit. Mit den sich wandelnden Temperatur- und Niederschlagsverhältnissen wird auch der Wasserhaushalt unserer Wälder modifiziert. Regional werden deutlich erhöhte Temperaturen in sowie häufigere Hitze- und Trockenperioden den Sommermonaten, eine Verlagerung von Sommerniederschlägen in das Winterhalbjahr und eine geringere Schneedecke im Winter erwartet. Die intensive Beschäftigung mit einem sich ändernden Wasserhaushalt und seinen möglichen Auswirkungen auf das Waldwachstum und die Waldgesundheit ist ein essentielles Thema forstlicher Forschung. Denn hierauf basieren mögliche Anpassungs- und Abmilderungs-Strategien einer langfristig nachhaltigen Waldbewirtschaftung. Wir freuen uns daher, Ihnen in Heft 12 von WLN (Waldökologie, Landschaftsforschung und Naturschutz – Forest Ecology, Landscape Research and Nature Conservation) in einer bisher noch nie dagewesenen Vollständigkeit den neuesten Stand der Forschung präsentieren zu können. Das Sonderheft unterstützt die Aktivitäten der im Juni 2007 eingerichteten AFSV-Arbeitsgruppe „Klimawandel“.

The restoration of ecosystems has become a major challenge throughout the world in the 21st century (see comprehensive surveys from, e. g. Temperton et al. 2004, van Andel & Aronson 2006, Walker et al. 2007, and Zerbe & Wiegleb 2009). Due to non-sustainable land use and inefficient use of natural resources, many ecosystems have been degraded or completely destroyed. Consequently, the functioning of ecosystems has been severely affected and many ecosystem services have been lost.

Heft 9 von WLN (Waldökologie, Landschaftsforschung und Naturschutz – Forest Ecology, Landscape Research and Nature Conservation) bietet ein breites, facettenreiches Themenspektrum aus den Bereichen Standorts- und Vegetationskunde, Modellierung, Biodiversitätsforschung sowie Artenschutz. In der neuen Ausgabe werden einmal mehr vielseitige Möglichkeiten aufgezeigt, aktuellen Fragestellungen im In- und Ausland mit innovativen Methodenansätzen nachzugehen.

Heft 11 von WLN (Waldökologie, Landschaftsforschung und Naturschutz – Forest Ecology, Landscape Research and Nature Conservation) behandelt erneut ein Themenspektrum von hoher Relevanz. Forstwirtschaft auf standörtlich-vegetationskundlicher Grundlage bedeutet die Individualität der Lebensräume zu berücksichtigen und gleichzeitig das Leistungspotential der Natur optimal zu nutzen. Wichtige Aspekte des Naturschutzes einzubeziehen und die Biodiversität langfristig zu erhalten, sind weitere wichtige Anliegen einer ökologisch nachhaltigen Landnutzung. In der neuen Ausgabe werden einmal mehr vielseitige Möglichkeiten aufgezeigt, aktuellen Fragestellungen im In- und Ausland mit innovativen Methodenansätzen nachzugehen. Sie beinhaltet die Bereiche forstliche Standorts- und Vegetationskunde, Einsatz moderner Technologien für waldkundliche Erhebungen, Biodiversitätsforschung sowie Naturschutz.

Naturally, the floodplains of Central Asian rivers harbour riparian, so-called ‘Tugai’ forests, reeds with Phragmites australis, and shrub communities which form a mosaic depending on the variety of available ground water. In recent decades, these natural ecosystems have been strongly altered anthropogenically or even completely destroyed. In order to restore those ecosystems, knowledge on vegetation, ecosystem dynamics, and natural regeneration processes is essential. In our study, we present results of ecological investigations at the Tarim River. We gathered comprehensive data on soil, vegetation, forest stand age, tree vitality, river course dynamics, and land use and brought it to the landscape level. Thus, recommendations are derived for the maintenance of these floodplain ecosystems, in particular with regard to their biological diversity., Entlang der Flussauen Zentralasiens findet sich natürlicherweise ein Mosaik aus Auenwäldern (‚Tugai-Wäldern‘), Schilfröhrichten mit Phragmites australis und Sträuchern, welches von der Verfügbarkeit des Grundwassers abhängt. In den vergangenen Jahrzehnten wurden diese natürlichen Ökosysteme durch den Menschen stark beeinträchtigt bis hin zu völlig zerstört. Um diese Ökosysteme wiederherzustellen, sind genaue Kenntnisse über die Vegetation, die Ökosystemdynamik und natürliche Regenerationsprozesse unabdingbar. In der vorliegenden Studie berichten wir über Ergebnisse unserer langjährigen ökologischen Untersuchungen am Tarim-Fluss. Diese umfassen Untersuchungen des Bodens, der Vegetation, der Altersstruktur und Vitalität der Tugai-Wälder, der Flusslaufdynamik und der Landnutzung, welche auf Landschaftsebene ausgewertet wurden. Auf dieser Grundlage leiten wir Empfehlungen zum dauerhaften Erhalt dieser Flussauenökosystem ab unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der biologischen Vielfalt.

Wie in den AFSV-News in Heft 5 angekündigt, erscheinen Waldökologie online und das Archiv für Naturschutz und Landschaftsforschung nun mit Heft 6 gemeinsam unter dem Titel „Waldökologie, Landschaftsforschung und Naturschutz – Forest Ecology, Landscape Research and Nature Conservation“. Wir haben bislang eine sehr positive Resonanz auf dieses Vorhaben vernommen, für die wir uns an dieser Stelle ganz herzlich bedanken möchten. Das hiermit vorliegende Heft widmet sich dem Schwerpunktthema "Wald und Boden".

Heft 7 von Waldökologie, Landschaftsforschung und Naturschutz präsentiert neueste Forschungsergebnisse zu „Biodiversität und Naturnähe“ unserer Wald- Lebensräume. Es zeigt sich wieder einmal eindrucksvoll, dass nur eine breit angelegte und gut vernetzte Geobotanik und Standortskunde diesem herausfordernden und facettenreichen Thema gerecht werden kann. In dieser Hinsicht steht dieses Heft ganz im Geiste des am 19. Mai 2008 verstorbenen Begründers der komplexen nordostdeutschen Naturraumerkundung, Herrn Dr. habil. Dietrich Kopp, der von dem großen Ökologen Herrn Prof. em. Dr. Michael Succow geehrt wird. Neben seinen großen Verdiensten für die Entwicklung der Naturraumkunde hat sich Dietrich Kopp Ende 2002 auch maßgeblich für die Weiterführung des damals von der Einstellung bedrohten Archivs für Naturschutz und Landschaftsforschung eingesetzt, welches letztlich in unser heutiges Online-Journal aufging.

Along three transects of medium voltage power lines in the steppe of Central Kazakhstan, surveys for bird casualties were carried out in summer 2006 in order to estimate the quantitative and qualitative impact of power lines on bird mortality in this area. In total, 409 dead birds of 34 different species were found. Raptors represented 44 % of the total (179 individuals, 10 species). Most of them died due to electrocution. The proportion of raptors strongly varied between early and late summer, the increase in August suggests that especially young birds are prone to electrocution. The density of raptor casualties varied from 0.1 to 7.6 birds per line km and month. Adverse effects of power lines on bird life could be avoided by changing the pole construction (use of suspended insulators) or protective measures (e. g. caps)., Zur Bestimmung des qualitativen und quantitativen Ausmaßes des Stromtodes von Vögeln in Zentralkasachstan wurden im Sommer 2006 Transektzählungen entlang von drei Mittelspannungsleitungen in dieser Region durchgeführt. Insgesamt wurden 409 tote Vögel (34 verschiedene Arten) gefunden, davon 44 % Greifvögel (179 Individuen, 10 Arten). Der Großteil starb durch Elektrokution. Der Anteil der Greifvögel variierte stark zwischen Früh- und Spätsommer. Der Anstieg im August lässt vermuten, dass Jungvögel besonders gefährdet sind. Die Greifvogeldichte betrug zwischen 0,1 und 7.6 Vögel pro Transekt-km und Monat. Durch veränderte Mastenkonstruktion (hängende Isolatoren) oder Schutzmaßnahmen (isolierende Hauben) kann viel zum Vogelschutz beigetragen werden.

Population growth in urban areas is a world-wide phenomenon. According to a recent United Nations report, over half of the world now lives in cities. Numerous health and environmental issues arise from this unprecedented urbanization. Recent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of urban green spaces and the role they play in improving both the aesthetics and the quality of life of its residents. In particular, urban green spaces provide ecosystem services such as: urban air quality improvement by removing pollutants that can cause serious health problems, carbon storage, carbon sequestration and climate regulation through shading and evapotranspiration. Furthermore, epidemiological studies with controlled age, sex, marital and socio-economic status, have provided evidence of a positive relationship between green space and the life expectancy of senior citizens. However, there is little information on the role of public green spaces in mid-sized cities in northern Italy. To address this need, a study was conducted to assess the ecosystem services of urban green spaces in the city of Bolzano, South Tyrol, Italy. In particular, we quantified the cooling effect of urban trees and the hourly amount of pollution removed by the urban forest. The information was gathered using field data collected through local hourly air pollution readings, tree inventory and simulation models. During the study we quantified pollution removal for ozone, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and particulate matter (<10 microns). We estimated the above ground carbon stored and annually sequestered by the urban forest. Results have been compared to transportation CO2 emissions to determine the CO2 offset potential of urban streetscapes. Furthermore, we assessed commonly used methods for estimating carbon stored and sequestered by urban trees in the city of Bolzano. We also quantified ecosystem disservices such as hourly urban forest volatile organic compound emissions.

Auf Niedermoorstandorten des Oberspreewaldes im Biosphärenreservat „Spreewald“ (Branden­burg) werden Pappelaufforstungen vegetationskundlich und standortsökologisch untersucht. Floristisch-soziologisch werden die Salix cinerea-Populus x euramericana- und die Calamagrostis canescens-Populus x euramericana-Gesellschaft differenziert, die jeweils enge synsystematische und synökologische Beziehungen zu den naturnahen Beständen des Carici elongatae-Alnetum bzw. Pruno-Fraxinetum aufweisen. Die in den Pappelforsten im Vergleich zu den naturnahen Waldgesellschaften ermittelten Vegetationsveränderungen werden im wesentlichen auf den geringeren Kronenschlußgrad und damit auf den höheren Lichtgenuß der Krautschicht zurückgeführt. Weniger die Aufforstung von Hybrid­pappeln, sondern vielmehr das komplexe Wirkungsgefüge vielfältiger anthropogener Standortsbeein­flussungen auf Auen- bzw. Niedermoorstandorten des Oberspreewaldes (Entwässerung, ehemalige Nutzungen, forstliche Maßnahmen usw.) wird als ausschlaggebend für die Veränderungen von Vegeta­tion und Boden angesehen. Aus der Vegetation der Pappelforste und der qualitativen und quantitativen Zusammensetzung der Gehölzverjüngung in den Pappelforsten werden Entwicklungstendenzen und -ziele im Hinblick auf eine Umwandlung in naturnahe Feuchtwälder abgeleitet., On low mires in the Oberspreewald, part of the biosphere reserve „Spreewald“ in Brandenburg (NE Germany), site characteristics and vegetation of poplar afforestations were investigated. The Salix cinerea-Populus x euramericana and the Calamagrostis canescens-Populus x euramericana communities were differentiated by phytosociological means. These anthropogenic forest communities are synsystematically and synecologically closely related to natural stands of the Carici elongatae-Alnetum and the Pruno-Fraxinetum, respectively. The lower coverage by the tree layer of the poplar afforestations in comparison to natural forests, with consequently higher light intensities in the herb layer, is identified as the main reason for vegetation differences. In the Oberspreewald changes of site conditions and vegetation seems to be more caused by the complex effects of many anthropogenic influences on river plains and low-mires (e.g. drainage, former land uses and forest management) than by the afforestation of poplars of the Populus x euramericana group. From the vegetation and the qualitative and quantita­tive composition of the tree rejuvenation, tendencies and objectives of the future development of poplar afforestations were derived, with a view to their transformation into natural wetland forests.

Vom Menschen stark beeinflußte Gehölzbestände werden in der Vegetationskunde zur begrifflichen Unterscheidung von wenig beeinflußten Wäldern als Forste bezeichnet. Hierbei bleibt die Anwendung des Begriffes in der Regel auf künstlich angelegte Bestände der Holzwirtschaft beschränkt, wobei die Differenzierung von Wald und Forst meist auf einer unklaren Abgrenzung beruht. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird auf der Grundlage einer Definition des Vegetationsbegriffes erörtert, inwieweit gepflanzte bzw. stark vom Menschen beeinflußte Gehölzbestände zur Vegetation zu rechnen sind. Unter Einbeziehung von naturwissenschaftlichen und kulturhistorischen Gesichtspunkten werden hier Gehölzbestände der Kategorie Forst zugerechnet, wenn die Artenverbindung der Baumschicht und/oder der übrigen Schichten durch erhebliche direkte oder indirekte menschliche Beeinflussung gegenüber anthropogen wenig beeinflußten Beständen an vergleichbarem Standort stark verändert ist. Als wesentliche Merkmale von Forsten werden deren Entstehung und Erhaltung aufgrund menschlicher Kulturtätigkeit und Unterschiede im Stoffhaushalt und in der Struktur im Vergleich zu wenig beeinflußten Wäldern genannt. Insbesondere bei der floristisch-vegetationskundlichen Gliederung und Nomenklatur wird eine Unterscheidung von naturwissenschaftlicher und kulturgeschichtlicher Betrachtungsweise vorgeschlagen. So lassen sich z.B. anthropogene Fichtenreinbestände in ursprünglich nicht von dieser Baumart besiedelten Gebieten mit einer eigenständigen Artenkombination pflanzensoziologisch als "-Piceetum" fassen, während diese Bestände unter kulturhistorischen Gesichtspunkten mit der Bezeichnung "-Culto-Piceetum" als Anpflanzungen charakterisiert werden können., In vegetation science a woody stand under strong human influence is designated in Germany as "Forst" to distinguish it conceptually from semi-narural forests and woodland. In this context the application of the concept of "Forst" is, as a rule, restricted to planted and managed stands in forestry; the distinction between "Forst" and "Wald" is not clearly stated. This paper discusses, based on a definition of vegetation, how far stands of woody plants which have been planted or strongly influenced by human-beings can be considered as part of the vegetation. Taking into account scientific aspects and cultural history, the concept "Forst" is applied to woody stands if the species composition of their tree layer and/or their other layers has been changed substantially in comparison with natural stands on comparable sites as a consequence of strong direct or indirect human impacts. Significant characteristics of a "Forst" are expressed, such as its creation and maintenance by human activity and differences in its metabolism and structure compared with semi-natural wooded stands. Especially for the syntaxonomy and nomenclature in plant sociology, a distinction is proposed between the natural-science viewpoint and the cultural-history viewpoint. For example, planted spruce stands with a specific ground vegetation, in regions where this tree species is not native, could be designated a "-Piceetum" and included in the Braun-Blanquet system, whereas from the point of view of cultural history, these stands may be designated as plantations by the term "-Culto-Piceetum".