Data Basis and Mapping Results of Ecosystem Services at Different Levels

In large regions with a large number of different ecosystem types, the application of the rules for the assessment of ecosystem services first requires a practical grouping of the types into ecosystem type classes. This chapter presents a method for grouping forest ecosystem types in Germany, which can also be applied to Central Europe. The data basis for the Germany-wide assessment of the habitat function was derived from the BERN model (Bioindication for Ecosystem Regeneration towards Natural conditions) (Schlutow A, Kraft P, Scheuschner T, Schlutow M, Schröder W, Environ Sci Eur 36(1), 2024). The BERN database documents reference data on typical site parameters for the occurrence of plant communities. The assessment of the biomass primary productivity and carbon sequestration service of ecosystem type classes was based on the spatial distribution of tree species in current forests and woodlands in Germany (BERN database in connection with Corine Land Cover) as well as on data on soil properties (soil overview map of Germany 1:1 million—BÜK1000N) and climate (30-year average 1991–2020). For the assessment of the Kellerwald National Park, 105 vegetation surveys were the basis for the indication of soil parameters. The derivation of climate change-adapted lead forest communities in Saxony is based on forest site mapping combined with climate projections up to 2070 and the BERN database. The effects of acidifying and eutrophying air pollution impacts and climate change on biodiversity were already assessed by example of a Long-Term Ecological Research site (LTER) using timeseries of atmospheric sulphur and nitrogen deposition from year 1880 to year 2070 as well as timeseries of temperature and precipitation.