Abstract
This chapter describes the basic principles inside the VEG extension to the ForSAFE model system. It allows changes in ground vegetation to be calculated, an important part of biodiversity. In the VEG model, the basis for modelling ground vegetation dynamics is a competition strength model based on soil chemistry promoting and retarding factors, nutrients, water and light. The strength is used in a competition model to assign ground area to each plant type considered. The ForSAFE-VEG is freely available from the authors and is used for assessing critical loads for acidity and nitrogen in Europe and United Sates, based on biodiversity criteria.
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Notes
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With disasters we imply relatively unpredictable events such as outbreak of pathogens, attacks by insects, or fire.
References
Sverdrup, H., McDonnell, T. C., Sullivan, T. J., Nihlgård, B., Belyazid, S., Rihm, B., Porter, E., Bowman, W. D., & Geiser, L. (2012). Testing the Feasibility of Using the ForSAFE-VEG Model to Map the Critical Load of Nitrogen to Protect Plant Biodiversity in the Rocky Mountains Region, USA. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 223, 371–387.
Further Reading
Belyazid, S., Westling, O., & Sverdrup, H. (2006). Modeling changes in soil chemistry at 16 Swedish coniferous forest sites following deposition reduction. Environmental Pollution, 144, 596–609.
Belyazid, S., Sigurdson, B., Haraldsson, H., & Sverdrup, H. (2005). Adapting the ForSAFE model to simulate changes in the ground vegetation after afforestation in Iceland: A feasibility study. In E. Oddsdottir & G. Halldorsson (Eds.), Effects of afforestation on ecosystems, landscape and rural development. Proceedings from a conference held at Reykholt, Iceland, June 20–23, 2005 (Chap. 2, pp. 78–84). Andre Nordiske Publikasjoner, Nordic Council of Ministers, Copenhagen.
Grennfelt, P., & Thörnelöf, E. (Eds.). (1992). Critical Loads for Nitrogen. Report from a UN-ECE Workshop held at Lökeberg, Sweden, 6–10 April 1992. NORD 1992:41. Nordic Council of Ministers, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Sverdrup, H., & Warfvinge, P. (1993). The effect of soil acidification on the growth of trees, grass and herbs as expressed by the (Ca+ Mg+ K)/Al ratio. Reports in Ecology and Environmental Engineering 2:1993. Chemical Engineering, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
Sverdrup, H., Belyazid, S., Nihlgård, B., & Ericson, L. (2007). Modeling change in ground vegetation response to acid and nitrogen pollution, climate change and forest management at in Sweden 1500–2100 A.D. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution: Focus, 7, 163–179.
Swiss Agency for the Environment, Forests and Landscape. (1998). Acidification of Swiss Forest Soils—Development of a Regional Dynamic Assessment. Environmental Documentation Air/Forest No. 89, 1–115. Bern.
UBA. (2004). Manual on methodologies and criteria for modeling and mapping critical loads and levels and air pollution effects, risks and trends. Umweltbundesamt Texte 52/04, Berlin. www.icpmapping.org.
Acknowledgments
This study is a part of the Swedish and Swiss critical loads programmes, funded by the Swedish Environmental Agency and the Swiss Ministry of the Environment.
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Sverdrup, H., Nihlgård, B., Belyazid, S. (2014). Mapping Critical Loads for Nitrogen Based on Biodiversity Using ForSAFE-VEG: Introducing the Basic Principles. In: Sutton, M., Mason, K., Sheppard, L., Sverdrup, H., Haeuber, R., Hicks, W. (eds) Nitrogen Deposition, Critical Loads and Biodiversity. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7939-6_40
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