The Investigated Gradients

As discussed by Fiedler and Beck (Chapter 6 in this volume) gradient analysis is a powerful tool for the investigation of an ecosystem. The knowledge of the RBSF that has arisen from gradient analysis is presented in the following chapters. This chapter, however, attempts to introduce the reader to the strategy of the ecosystem study, discussing the features which can be revealed by identifying appropriate gradients. One basic requisite of the joint venture was to concentrate all projects on the same core research area, the RBSF in order to produce coherent data (Fig. 7.1). Satellite areas or monitoring stations were established to address questions of supraregional relevance. On that rationale four gradients were followed, two of which are natural gradients based on climatic factors while the other two result from human activities.