@article{WulfKolk2014,
  author    = {Wulf, Monika and Kolk, Jens},
  title     = {Plant species richness of very small forests related to patch configuration, quality, heterogeneity and history},
  series = {Journal of vegetation science},
  volume    = {25},
  journal   = {Journal of vegetation science},
  number    = {5},
  publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell},
  address   = {Hoboken},
  issn      = {1100-9233},
  doi       = {10.1111/jvs.12172},
  pages     = {1267 -- 1277},
  year      = {2014},
  abstract  = {Questions: (i) Is plant species richness related to patch configuration, quality, heterogeneity and history in very small forest patches? (ii) Is there a similar effect of patch configuration, quality, heterogeneity and history on all plant species or does it vary for different plant groups? (iii) Does the importance of patch configuration, quality, heterogeneity and history vary for plant species richness between patch size classes? Location: Prignitz region, western part of Brandenburg, Germany Methods: Plant species lists for 183 forest patches (0.08-12.7 ha) were compiled. We conducted a hierarchical partitioning analysis to test which of the four patch variables - configuration, quality, heterogeneity and history - explained most of the variance in plant species richness and richness of various plant groups. Results: Irrespective of patch size class, species richness is mainly predicted by patch quality and heterogeneity. In particular, generalists are primarily affected by the soil moisture and nutrient level, and specialists additionally by patch heterogeneity and history. A higher historical habitat quality, together with long habitat continuity, led to an increase in forest specialists and geophytes in all patches. In the >5-ha patches only historical habitat quality accounted for a significant increase in the number of species with short-distance dispersal capacity in all species. Regardless of patch size, the number of locally infrequent species increased significantly with historical habitat quality. The effect of patch configuration was negligible, except for space-filling trees and shrubs, when considering all patches. Conclusions: Our more comprehensive statistical approach shows, in general, that all complex variables have an effect on species richness and should be considered in future studies. The fact that patch heterogeneity and quality are the main predictors of species richness indicates that very small forest patches covered a range of highly structured patches and sites having various growth conditions. We assume that the century-old tradition of private ownership with smallholder social structure is the main reason for variability in stand structure and species assemblage, resulting in the uniqueness of each patch. Since the number of locally infrequent plant species increases significantly with historical habitat quality, we suggest that it is particularly important to consider this variable in future studies on the decline of infrequent plant species.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{MaesBlondeelPerringetal.2019,
  author    = {Maes, Sybryn L. and Blondeel, Haben and Perring, Michael P. and Depauw, Leen and Brumelis, Guntis and Brunet, J{\"o}rg and Decocq, Guillaume and den Ouden, Jan and Haerdtle, Werner and Hedl, Radim and Heinken, Thilo and Heinrichs, Steffi and Jaroszewicz, Bogdan and Kirby, Keith J. and Kopecky, Martin and Malis, Frantisek and Wulf, Monika and Verheyen, Kris},
  title     = {Litter quality, land-use history, and nitrogen deposition effects on topsoil conditions across European temperate deciduous forests},
  series = {Forest ecology and management},
  volume    = {433},
  journal   = {Forest ecology and management},
  publisher = {Elsevier},
  address   = {Amsterdam},
  issn      = {0378-1127},
  doi       = {10.1016/j.foreco.2018.10.056},
  pages     = {405 -- 418},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {Topsoil conditions in temperate forests are influenced by several soil-forming factors, such as canopy composition (e.g. through litter quality), land-use history, atmospheric deposition, and the parent material. Many studies have evaluated the effects of single factors on physicochemical topsoil conditions, but few have assessed the simultaneous effects of multiple drivers. Here, we evaluate the combined effects of litter quality, land-use history (past land cover as well as past forest management), and atmospheric deposition on several physicochemical topsoil conditions of European temperate deciduous forest soils: bulk density, proportion of exchangeable base cations, carbon/nitrogen-ratio (C/N), litter mass, bio-available and total phosphorus, pH(KCI)and soil organic matter. We collected mineral soil and litter layer samples, and measured site characteristics for 190 20 x 20 m European mixed forest plots across gradients of litter quality (derived from the canopy species composition) and atmospheric deposition, and for different categories of past land cover and past forest management. We accounted for the effects of parent material on topsoil conditions by clustering our plots into three soil type groups based on texture and carbonate concentration. We found that litter quality was a stronger driver of topsoil conditions compared to land-use history or atmospheric deposition, while the soil type also affected several topsoil conditions here. Plots with higher litter quality had soils with a higher proportion of exchangeable base cations, and total phosphorus, and lower C/N-ratios and litter mass. Furthermore, the observed litter quality effects on the topsoil were independent from the regional nitrogen deposition or the soil type, although the soil type likely (co)-determined canopy composition and thus litter quality to some extent in the investigated plots. Litter quality effects on topsoil phosphorus concentrations did interact with past land cover, highlighting the need to consider land-use history when evaluating canopy effects on soil conditions. We conclude that forest managers can use the canopy composition as an important tool for influencing topsoil conditions, although soil type remains an important factor to consider.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{NitschKaupenjohannWulf2018,
  author    = {Nitsch, Paula and Kaupenjohann, Martin and Wulf, Monika},
  title     = {Forest continuity, soil depth and tree species are important parameters for SOC stocks in an old forest (Templiner Buchheide, northeast Germany)},
  series = {Geoderma : an international journal of soil science},
  volume    = {310},
  journal   = {Geoderma : an international journal of soil science},
  publisher = {Elsevier Science},
  address   = {Amsterdam},
  issn      = {0016-7061},
  doi       = {10.1016/j.geoderma.2017.08.041},
  pages     = {65 -- 76},
  year      = {2018},
  abstract  = {Forest mineral soils have the potential to accumulate large amounts of carbon (C). Numerous factors, which have often been insufficiently studied, affect soil organic C (SOC) stocks. Detailed knowledge of variation in SOC storage is important to assess the C accumulation potential of forest soils. To examine the impacts of forest continuity, soil depth and tree species on SOC stocks, 15 ancient ( > 230 years of forest continuity) and 15 old ( > 100 but < 200 years of forest continuity) forest soils, topsoil and subsoil in the Templiner Buchheide (Brandenburg, NE Germany) were compared. The old forest sites were afforested on former grassland or wasteland. On all sites grew one of three dominant tree species: European beech (Fagus sylvatica), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) or oak (Quercus spec.). Pine forest sites had been underplanted with beech and were mixed-species stands. Soil samples were taken down to a mean depth of 55 cm. Total contents of SOC, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), sulphur (S), calcium (Ca), potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg); soil pH; and bulk densities were determined. The soils of ancient forest sites stored significantly more total SOC, N, P, S, K and Mg than did the old ones. Mean total SOC stocks in ancient forests of all three tree species were 12-17\% larger compared with those in old forests. Significant differences in SOC stocks between the two forest continuity groups appeared only in subsoil and not in topsoil. Pine forest stored larger SOC stocks than did beech and oak forests. Significant differences were found between ancient pine and oak forests and between ancient beech and oak forests. Soils in ancient beech and pine forests at depths of between 29 and 55 cm contained, on average, even 50\% larger SOC stocks than did soils at the same depths in ancient oak forests and in all old forests. Forest continuity significantly affected SOC stocks. These results support previous studies that old forests are still able to enrich SOC. Although soil samples were carried out to a mean depth of only 55 cm, the results indicate that differences in SOC stocks between ancient and old forest could also be found in deeper soil layers. It was suggested that beech and mixed-species stands of beech and pine and total soil P stocks had a positive effect on SOC stocks in subsoil. To understand SOC accumulation in forests, especially in subsoil, with a forest continuity of > 100 years, the role of different tree species and of total P cycling in forests, deeper sampling depths and repeated sampling would be required.},
  language  = {en}
}