Evolution of relict floodplain forest in river stretches of Western and Central Europe as affected by river infrastructure networks.

ABSTRACT: We studied the impact of infrastructure networks on relict floodplain forest along three stretches of the Upper Rhine (Kembs-Efringen-Kirchen, Strasbourg-Kehl and Beinheim-Iffezheim) and the Inn-Danube (Mulheim-Obernberg, Passau-Ingling and Engelhartszell-Jochenstein), each on the border between two countries. We analysed land use patterns within a 500 m wide buffer area along the main channel using photo-interpretation and compared the situations between the 1950s, 1980's and 2010's. Temporal changes were assessed with transition matrices and selected spatial metrics, including fragmentation indices. Over this period, forest area remained similar at three sites, increased slightly at two sites and decreased at one site. However, on average, 12.5% of floodplain forest had changed location

SUBMITTER: Beisel JN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8480725 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature