| Jürgens, N; Schmiedel, U; Haarmeyer, DH; Dengler, J; Finckh, M; Goetze, D; Gröngröft, A; Hahn, K; Koulibaly, A; Luther-Mosebach, J; Muche, G; Oldeland, J; Petersen, A; Porembski, S; Rutherford, MC; Schmidt, M; Sinsin, B; Strohbach, BJ; Thiombiano, A; Wittig, R; Zizka, G: The BIOTA Biodiversity Observatories in Africa – A standardized framework for large-scale environmental monitoring., Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 184, 655-678 (2012), doi:10.1007/s10661-011-1993-y | |
| Key words: Diversity, Global change, Permanent plot, Sampling scheme, Transect, Vegetation | |
| Abstract: The international, interdisciplinary bio- diversity research project BIOTA AFRICA ini- tiated a standardized biodiversity monitoring network along climatic gradients across the African continent. Due to an identified lack of adequate monitoring designs, BIOTA AFRICA developed and implemented the standardized BIOTA Biodiversity Observatories, that meet the following criteria (a) enable long-term monitor- ing of biodiversity, potential driving factors, and relevant indicators with adequate spatial and tem- poral resolution, (b) facilitate comparability of data generated within different ecosystems, (c) allow integration of many disciplines, (d) allow spatial up-scaling, and (e) be applicable within a network approach. A BIOTA Observatory en- compasses an area of 1 km2 and is subdivided into 100 1-ha plots. For meeting the needs of sampling of different organism groups, the hectare plot is again subdivided into standardized sub- plots, whose sizes follow a geometric series. To allow for different sampling intensities but at the same time to characterize the whole square kilo- meter, the number of hectare plots to be sampled depends on the requirements of the respective discipline. A hierarchical ranking of the hectare plots ensures that all disciplines monitor as many hectare plots jointly as possible. The BIOTA Ob- servatory design assures repeated, multidiscipli- nary standardized inventories of biodiversity and its environmental drivers, including options for spatial up- and downscaling and different sam- pling intensities. BIOTA Observatories have been installed along climatic and landscape gradients in Morocco, West Africa, and southern Africa. In regions with varying land use, several BIOTA Observatories are situated close to each other to analyze management effects. |
Upcoming ...
Upcoming ...
| BayCEER Colloquium: |
|---|
| Th. 2024-04-25 Perspectives and challenges in the restoration and conservation of two isolated habitats: gypsum and cliffs |
| BayCEER Short Courses: |
| We. 2024-04-24 Mobile Film Making Workshop (for PhDs/PostDosc/Profs of BayCEER) |
| Fr. 2024-04-26 Mobile Film Making Workshop (for students of BayCEER) |
| Ecological-Botanical Garden: |
| Su. 2024-04-21 Führung | Den ÖBG kennenlernen: Allgemeine Gartenführung |
| Fr. 2024-04-26 Aktion | Kräuterreich & regional: Backkunst im ÖBG (zus. mit HWK) |