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Assessment of the Ellenberg quotient as a practical tool for vertical vegetation zonation

Author

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  • Petr Dujka

    (Department of Forest Botany, Dendrology and Geobiocenology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
    Forest Management Institute Brandýs nad Labem, Branch Kroměříž, Kroměříž, Czech Republic)

  • Antonín Kusbach

    (Department of Forest Botany, Dendrology and Geobiocenology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic)

Abstract

The Ellenberg quotient (EQ) is a climate index defined as a ratio of the hottest month's temperature and the average annual precipitation sum. The quotient indirectly expresses the relationship between climate and vegetation, and its application is related to the ecological niche of Fagus sp. Although the quotient was curated on the grounds of field research primarily on German vegetation, the possibilities of its utilisation are not limited to the Central European region. The objective of this study is (i) to compare the EQ values calculated for the forest vegetation zones in the Czech Republic with the published data using the ecological niche of Fagus sylvatica; and (ii) to compare the new EQ-based vertical model with field empirical mapping. The study area is the Czech Republic, Central Europe. We used climate data from 1970-2000 and the data of the National Forest Inventory, 2nd cycle (2011-2015), representing an objective data design. Geospatial analytic methods, machine learning (boosting), and verification through statistical testing were performed. The results indicate higher EQ values between the two most substantial spatial frames - the Hercynicum and Carpaticum regions. By comparing empirical mapped units to their climatic potential (in the EQ), a match was found only within the Carpaticum region. The study presents a concretisation of the general climate index for a specific region, adds to the knowledge about the Fagus ecological niche in context with the Central European vegetation, and also points to the EQ's potential for evaluating the concept of vertical differentiation of forest communities, as well as a possible prediction tool for the vegetation migration in context with climate change.

Suggested Citation

  • Petr Dujka & Antonín Kusbach, 2023. "Assessment of the Ellenberg quotient as a practical tool for vertical vegetation zonation," Journal of Forest Science, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 69(7), pages 305-316.
  • Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:69:y:2023:i:7:id:133-2022-jfs
    DOI: 10.17221/133/2022-JFS
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. P. Šamonil & J. Viewegh, 2005. "Forest site classification of forest ecosystems in Bohemian Karst (Czech Republic)," Journal of Forest Science, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 51(11), pages 508-518.
    2. P. Šamonil & K. Polesná & P. Unar, 2009. "Plant community variability within potential natural vegetation units: a case study from the Bohemian Karst," Journal of Forest Science, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 55(11), pages 485-501.
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    1. repec:caa:jnljfs:v:preprint:id:5-2024-jfs is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Petr Dujka & Antonín Kusbach, 2024. "Geographical forest zonation: Perspectives, history and use," Journal of Forest Science, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 70(7), pages 335-352.

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