The derivation of grassland vegetation types on the basis of site and land use characteristics

This study derives grassland communities from site, climate and land use characteristics, allowing yield estimation within the framework of model scenarios. Based on the dominant species, about 450 relevés, primarily of extensively used grassland from four regions of the North-East German lowlands, were classified into vegetation types using a cluster analysis. These types were then reclassified to known phytosociological communities. The relationship between the vegetational composition and the abiotic explanatory variables were verified by a discriminant analysis. The water supply level proved to be the most important factor influencing grassland vegetation. The impact of historical land use (especially the persistence of formerly sown species) reduced prognostic quality.