The change in soil organic matter (SOM) in peat soils is a highly sensitive
indicator of climate warming. SOM mineralisation and CO 2 emission are very
strongly assigned to climate change. Therefore soil carbon content (SCC) may be
applied as basic indicator of SOM stability as changes in its content will
integratively reflect changes in peat soil quality. These changes shall be determined
in longer periods (a decade) thus SCC may be used as the indicator of long term
habitat changes due to climate change. SOM mineralisation results mainly in the
release of carbon (CO 2 ) to the atmosphere and nitrogen to the soil environment.
A basic indicator of the above process, in addition to CO 2 content, is the content of
soil nitrogen, in particular, of its mineral form. This indicator evaluates the rate of
the SOM mineralisation process as it is here and now, so it may be applied as a short
term indicator. The concentration and composition of soil solution reflects both the
rate of SOM mineralisation and the opportunity for wetland habitat to be invaded by
plant species having high nutrient demand, especially by expansive and/or alien
invasive species. This is also an integrative indicator of short term changes due to
climate change. The following integrated indicators may be applied in habitat
monitoring in the BNP and other wetlands:
1. Soil carbon content (SCC) is the best integrated indicator of long term effects of
climate change-induced changes in organic soils. SCC shall be determined in the
40 cm-thick soil layer, on the established permanent plots, once a decade.
2. Soil nitrogen content (SNC) provides for the best assessment of climate changeinduced changes in the soil environment for determining the short term effects;
the effects may be assessed by determining either the SNC or the contents of
elements in soils solutions, every 2–3 years.
3. Long-term effects of climate change in the vegetation of wetlands can be
assessed with the use of indicators such as the increased presence (numbers
and abundance) of nitrophytes which have higher nutrient demand. These
indicators may be used for the evaluation of effectiveness of the implemented
climate change mitigation and adaptation measures. At the same time, these
indicators are relatively easy to apply for habitat monitoring.
6.7 Summary
Climate change effect on ecosystems constitutes a relatively new pressure as
regards its intensity and interactions with other anthropogenic and natural pressures. The assessment of impacts relies mostly on the use of indicators based on
metrics established by measurements of habitat properties that are particularly
sensitive to climate change. Indicators of climate change impacts are required to
evaluate and compare the behaviour of ecological systems at reference conditions
and those subject to climate and management pressures.
Methods for developing integrative indicators vary between simple ones, as in
case of land cover-based indicators, to more elaborate procedures requiring field
measurements to develop indicators addressing soil and vegetation properties.
90
J. Sienkiewicz et al.
indicator of climate warming. SOM mineralisation and CO 2 emission are very
strongly assigned to climate change. Therefore soil carbon content (SCC) may be
applied as basic indicator of SOM stability as changes in its content will
integratively reflect changes in peat soil quality. These changes shall be determined
in longer periods (a decade) thus SCC may be used as the indicator of long term
habitat changes due to climate change. SOM mineralisation results mainly in the
release of carbon (CO 2 ) to the atmosphere and nitrogen to the soil environment.
A basic indicator of the above process, in addition to CO 2 content, is the content of
soil nitrogen, in particular, of its mineral form. This indicator evaluates the rate of
the SOM mineralisation process as it is here and now, so it may be applied as a short
term indicator. The concentration and composition of soil solution reflects both the
rate of SOM mineralisation and the opportunity for wetland habitat to be invaded by
plant species having high nutrient demand, especially by expansive and/or alien
invasive species. This is also an integrative indicator of short term changes due to
climate change. The following integrated indicators may be applied in habitat
monitoring in the BNP and other wetlands:
1. Soil carbon content (SCC) is the best integrated indicator of long term effects of
climate change-induced changes in organic soils. SCC shall be determined in the
40 cm-thick soil layer, on the established permanent plots, once a decade.
2. Soil nitrogen content (SNC) provides for the best assessment of climate changeinduced changes in the soil environment for determining the short term effects;
the effects may be assessed by determining either the SNC or the contents of
elements in soils solutions, every 2–3 years.
3. Long-term effects of climate change in the vegetation of wetlands can be
assessed with the use of indicators such as the increased presence (numbers
and abundance) of nitrophytes which have higher nutrient demand. These
indicators may be used for the evaluation of effectiveness of the implemented
climate change mitigation and adaptation measures. At the same time, these
indicators are relatively easy to apply for habitat monitoring.
6.7 Summary
Climate change effect on ecosystems constitutes a relatively new pressure as
regards its intensity and interactions with other anthropogenic and natural pressures. The assessment of impacts relies mostly on the use of indicators based on
metrics established by measurements of habitat properties that are particularly
sensitive to climate change. Indicators of climate change impacts are required to
evaluate and compare the behaviour of ecological systems at reference conditions
and those subject to climate and management pressures.
Methods for developing integrative indicators vary between simple ones, as in
case of land cover-based indicators, to more elaborate procedures requiring field
measurements to develop indicators addressing soil and vegetation properties.
90
J. Sienkiewicz et al.