Publication Date
1997
Description
The change of light transmission along a gradient from shrub center to open grassland and its correlation to vegetation composition has been studied in two shrub surroundings on abandoned calcareous grassland. Light measurements were made at soil surface locations in high density and later interpolated to area maps. Low-growing plants were mapped in plots within the shrub area and their shapes subsequently digitized. Using SPANS GIS an overlay of maps representing light transmission, distance to shrub center and apearance of low-growing plants was made by calculating averages in a specified grid to create data sets for a statistical evaluation. The relationship between light and distance to shrub center shows a sigmoidal function with low values at shrub center positions and high values in the open grassland. Most plant species were positively correlated to bright, few to darker areas.
Citation
Spatz, G and Fricke, Th, "The Influence of Light on the Succession of Calcareous Grassland Using a GIS as an Instrument for Analysis" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1997-2023). 6.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session26/6
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
The Influence of Light on the Succession of Calcareous Grassland Using a GIS as an Instrument for Analysis
The change of light transmission along a gradient from shrub center to open grassland and its correlation to vegetation composition has been studied in two shrub surroundings on abandoned calcareous grassland. Light measurements were made at soil surface locations in high density and later interpolated to area maps. Low-growing plants were mapped in plots within the shrub area and their shapes subsequently digitized. Using SPANS GIS an overlay of maps representing light transmission, distance to shrub center and apearance of low-growing plants was made by calculating averages in a specified grid to create data sets for a statistical evaluation. The relationship between light and distance to shrub center shows a sigmoidal function with low values at shrub center positions and high values in the open grassland. Most plant species were positively correlated to bright, few to darker areas.
