In an exemplary evaluation of the conservation status for Luzulo Fagetum beech
forests and Asperulo Fagetum beech forests, relying just on this single indicator, it
can be shown that the conservation status of Asperulo Fagetum is more often
favourable than for Luzulo Fagetum (Table 7.1), which corresponds with the
findings of the field-based mapping presented in Chap. 16.
7.2.3 Conclusions
The results of the case study Vessertal illustrate the successful evaluation of an
indicator of the conservation status of continental forest habitats (percentage of
natural tree types). However, not all indicators defined for the conservation status of
woodlands in Germany are detectable with RapidEye imagery. The differentiation
of habitat types often relies on the understorey vegetation, which is not detectable
using earth observation techniques. Within forest habitats a combination with
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) techniques has proven to be relatively
helpful (Vehmas et al. 2009). However, the exploration of a set of indicators
detectable by remote sensing that may complement the field-based data-set remains
under discussion. In terms of climate change, the indicator evaluated here, percentage of natural tree types, can be utilised to monitor the immigration of beech into a
spruce dominated region of the Thuringian Forest.
7.3 Case Study Wetland Habitats: Lake Neusiedl, Austria
7.3.1 Study Area
The transboundary Lake Neusiedl/Ferto ˝-Hangsa ´g National Park was founded in
1993. It is situated at the Austrian and Hungarian border (see Fig. 1.1). Lake
Neusiedl itself is – in hydrological terms – a steppe lake, the westernmost of a
series of steppe lakes extending throughout Eurasia. It is especially sensitive to
climate variations due to its extreme shallowness and small catchment area. Historical records indicate that large variations of the lake area have occurred naturally. However, today a constant water level is maintained by water engineering
measures. Considering future climate scenarios, the main risk for Lake Neusiedl is
significant water losses that could enhance eutrophication and algal growth (Soja
et al. 2013).
East of the lake approximately 80 shallow saline ponds can be found. Nowadays,
this area is determined by the spread of reed stands, smaller ponds created by the
interconnection of the former bay-type formations, and smaller bays. Furthermore,
reed in general is the most characteristic habitat in the region, covering more than
70 % of the protected area. Its structure ranges from very dense and impassable to
100
M. Fo ¨rster et al.
forests and Asperulo Fagetum beech forests, relying just on this single indicator, it
can be shown that the conservation status of Asperulo Fagetum is more often
favourable than for Luzulo Fagetum (Table 7.1), which corresponds with the
findings of the field-based mapping presented in Chap. 16.
7.2.3 Conclusions
The results of the case study Vessertal illustrate the successful evaluation of an
indicator of the conservation status of continental forest habitats (percentage of
natural tree types). However, not all indicators defined for the conservation status of
woodlands in Germany are detectable with RapidEye imagery. The differentiation
of habitat types often relies on the understorey vegetation, which is not detectable
using earth observation techniques. Within forest habitats a combination with
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) techniques has proven to be relatively
helpful (Vehmas et al. 2009). However, the exploration of a set of indicators
detectable by remote sensing that may complement the field-based data-set remains
under discussion. In terms of climate change, the indicator evaluated here, percentage of natural tree types, can be utilised to monitor the immigration of beech into a
spruce dominated region of the Thuringian Forest.
7.3 Case Study Wetland Habitats: Lake Neusiedl, Austria
7.3.1 Study Area
The transboundary Lake Neusiedl/Ferto ˝-Hangsa ´g National Park was founded in
1993. It is situated at the Austrian and Hungarian border (see Fig. 1.1). Lake
Neusiedl itself is – in hydrological terms – a steppe lake, the westernmost of a
series of steppe lakes extending throughout Eurasia. It is especially sensitive to
climate variations due to its extreme shallowness and small catchment area. Historical records indicate that large variations of the lake area have occurred naturally. However, today a constant water level is maintained by water engineering
measures. Considering future climate scenarios, the main risk for Lake Neusiedl is
significant water losses that could enhance eutrophication and algal growth (Soja
et al. 2013).
East of the lake approximately 80 shallow saline ponds can be found. Nowadays,
this area is determined by the spread of reed stands, smaller ponds created by the
interconnection of the former bay-type formations, and smaller bays. Furthermore,
reed in general is the most characteristic habitat in the region, covering more than
70 % of the protected area. Its structure ranges from very dense and impassable to
100
M. Fo ¨rster et al.