The impact of Fraxinus pennsylvanica on the biodiversity of Elbe and River Oder
Executing institution: Chair of Biodiversity and Nature Conservation
Project manager: Prof. Dr. Goddert von Oheimb
Project staff: Birte M. Albrecht, Dr. Doreen Schmiedel, Inga Frehse, Dr. Sebastian Dittrich
Cooperation partners: Bundesanstalt für Gewässerkunde, Biosphärenreservat Mittelelbe, WWF Deutschland, Landesamt für Umwelt (LfU) Brandenburg
Contractor: LPR Landschaftsplanung Dr. Reichhoff GmbH, Dr. Andreas Floren
Duration of the project: 01.01.2016-31.12.2018
Summary:
Invasive, alien species represent one of the main factors threatening biodiversity. The massive appearance and the progressive spread of the alien species Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh. (Green ash) in the riparian forests of the river Elbe (Saxony-Anhalt) and the river Oder (Brandenburg) state a potential conflict with the conservation of valuable biocenoses according to the EU FFH directive.
The project aims to assess the impact of the establishment of F. pennsylvanica on biodiversity, particularly the structural characteristics and species diversity of hardwood riparian forests. Therefore, the diversity of F. pennsylvanica stands is compared to stands without this alien species (reference plots). Additionally, the investigation plots will be analysed with regard to forest structure, ground vegetation and animal communities (birds, insects).
The planned investigations should overcome shortcomings in the evaluation of effects of the alien species F. pennsylvanica on the local biodiversity to deduce general statements on the cross-regional impact of an invasive tree species.
Financing institution: German Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG)