The European Forest Plant Species List (EuForPlant): Concept and applications

• Published in: Journal of vegetation science Vol. 33; no. 3; pp. 1 - n/a
• Main Authors: Heinken, Thilo, Diekmann, Martin, Liira, Jaan, Orczewska, Anna, Schmidt, Marcus, Brunet, Jörg, Chytrý, Milan, Chabrerie, Olivier, Decocq, Guillaume, De Frenne, Pieter, Dřevojan, Pavel, Dzwonko, Zbigniew, Ewald, Jörg, Feilberg, Jon, Graae, Bente Jessen, Grytnes, John‐Arvid, Hermy, Martin, Kriebitzsch, Wolf‐Ulrich, Laiviņš, Māris, Lenoir, Jonathan, Lindmo, Sigrid, Marage, Damien, Marozas, Vitas, Niemeyer, Thomas, Paal, Jaanus, Pyšek, Petr, Roosaluste, Elle, Sádlo, Jiří, Schaminée, Joop H.J., Tyler, Torbjörn, Verheyen, Kris, Wulf, Monika, Vanneste, Thomas, Botta‐Dukát, Zoltán
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.05.2022; Wiley
• Subjects: Affinity; Agricultural and Veterinary sciences; Agricultural Science, Forestry and Fisheries; Agricultural Sciences; Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; Biodiversity; Biodiversity and Ecology; biogeographical regions; biogeographical regions, boreal zone, expert knowledge, forest affinity, forest plant species, habitat shift, nemoral zone, species diversity, vascular flora, woodland; Biologi; Biological Sciences; Boreal forests; boreal zone; Botanics; Categories; Central European region; Ecology; Ecology (including Biodiversity Conservation); Ecology, environment; Ecosystems; Ekologi; Environment and Society; Environmental Engineering; Environmental Sciences; Environmental studies; epiphytes; expert knowledge; expert opinion; Flowers & plants; forest affinity; forest plant species; Forest Science; Forests; Geography; global change; Global Changes; habitat shift; Humanities and Social Sciences; Jordbruk, skogsbruk och fiske; Lantbruksvetenskap och veterinärmedicin; Lantbruksvetenskap, skogsbruk och fiske; Lianas; Life Sciences; Natural Sciences; Naturvetenskap; nemoral zone; Parasites; Plant species; Plants; Shrubs; Silviculture, forestry; Skogsvetenskap; Species; Species classification; species diversity; Symbiosis; vascular flora; vascular plants; Vegetal Biology; Vegetation; woodland; Central European region; nemoral zone; expert knowledge; forest affinity; Habitat shift; woodland; boreal zone; species diversity; vascular flora; forest plant species; biogeographical regions
• DOI: 10.1111/jvs.13132
• ISSN: 1100-9233; 1654-1103

Question When evaluating forests in terms of their biodiversity, distinctiveness and naturalness, the affinity of the constituent species to forests is a crucial parameter. Here we ask to what extent are vascular plant species associated with forests, and does species’ affinity to forests vary between European regions? Location Temperate and boreal forest biome of Northwestern and Central Europe. Methods We compiled EuForPlant, a new extensive list of forest vascular plant species in 24 regions spread across 13 European countries using vegetation databases and expert knowledge. Species were region‐specifically classified into four categories reflecting the degree of their affinity to forest habitats: 1.1, species of forest interiors; 1.2, species of forest edges and forest openings; 2.1, species that can be found in forest as well as open vegetation; and 2.2, species that can be found partly in forest, but mainly in open vegetation. An additional “O” category was distinguished, covering species typical for non‐forest vegetation. Results EuForPlant comprises 1,726 species, including 1,437 herb‐layer species, 159 shrubs, 107 trees, 19 lianas and 4 epiphytic parasites. Across regions, generalist forest species (with 450 and 777 species classified as 2.1 and 2.2, respectively) significantly outnumbered specialist forest species (with 250 and 137 species classified as 1.1 and 1.2, respectively). Even though the degree of shifting between the categories of forest affinity among regions was relatively low (on average, 17.5%), about one‐third of the forest species (especially 1.2 and 2.2) swapped categories in at least one of the study regions. Conclusions The proposed list can be used widely in vegetation science and global change ecology related to forest biodiversity and community dynamics. Shifting of forest affinity among regions emphasizes the importance of a continental‐scale forest plant species list with regional specificity. We compiled a new list of forest vascular plant species spread in large parts of the European temperate and boreal forest biome using vegetation databases and expert knowledge. Species were region‐specifically classified into four categories reflecting the degree of their affinity to forest habitats. EuForPlant can be used widely in vegetation ecology related to forest biodiversity and community dynamics.