Ecosystem-Based Environmental Monitoring in Brandenburg’s Biosphere Reserves – Forests

The main objective of ecosystem-based environmental monitoring is to observe regionally typical ecosystems from a holistic, ecosystem-based perspective over the long term, and to document and assess their development. To this end, a total of 136 sites were selected across the three Brandenburg biosphere reserves (BRs) of Schorfheide-Chorin, Spreewald and Flusslandschaft-Elbe: 100 sites in open landscapes (lakes, flowing waters, wetlands, grassland, arable land and kettle holes) and 36 sites in forests. The ecosystem-based approach encompasses the monitoring of both abiotic components – soil and water – and biotic components – vegetation and fauna. In the area of forest ecosystem-based environmental monitoring (ÖUB-Wald), continuous surveys of site characteristics, dendrological and floristic parameters are conducted at intervals of three to six years.