@article{MannGohrBlumroederetal.2023, author = {Mann, Deepika and Gohr, Charlotte and Blumr{\"o}der, Jeanette Silvin and Ibisch, Pierre L.}, title = {Does fragmentation contribute to the forest crisis in Germany?}, series = {Frontiers in Forests and Global Change}, volume = {6}, journal = {Frontiers in Forests and Global Change}, publisher = {Frontiers Media S.A.}, issn = {2624-893X}, doi = {10.3389/ffgc.2023.1099460}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-3909}, pages = {12}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Intact forests contribute to the ecosystem functionality of landscapes by storing and sequestering carbon, buffering and cooling the microclimate, and providing a range of related ecosystem functions. Forest fragmentation not only poses a threat to many organisms but also reduces the resistance and resilience of the ecosystem, which is especially relevant to the ongoing climate crisis. The effects of recent extreme heat years on forests in Germany have not been studied in detail for the influence of fragmentation. We investigate the relation of forest fragmentation with temperature and vitality in Germany per ecoregion at the canopy level using satellite imagery at 1-km and 30-m resolution. We compiled and correlated forest maps for connectivity based on Thiessen polygons, canopy temperatures on the hottest days based on land surface temperature, and forest vitality based on the maximum normalized difference vegetation index per growing season. We differentiated between ecoregions and main forest types. In 2022, larger intact tree-covered areas that are less fragmented have relatively low temperatures on hot days and higher overall vitality. Nearly 98\% of the almost 1.95 million forest fragments at 30-m resolution in Germany are smaller than 1 km2, which cover nearly 30\% of the total forest area. To counteract the forest crisis, forest and landscape management should aim to reduce fragmentation and maintain tree biomass and forest cover in the landscape. Increasing the size of continuous forest fragments contributes to ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change.}, language = {en} } @article{GohrBlumroederSheiletal.2021, author = {Gohr, Charlotte and Blumr{\"o}der, Jeanette Silvin and Sheil, Douglas and Ibisch, Pierre L.}, title = {Quantifying the mitigation of temperature extremes by forests and wetlands in a temperate landscape}, series = {Ecological Informatics}, journal = {Ecological Informatics}, number = {66}, publisher = {Elsevier}, issn = {1574-9541}, doi = {10.1016/j.ecoinf.2021.101442}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-4376}, year = {2021}, abstract = {As a result of ongoing climate change and more frequent heat events, the regulating services of land cover in terms of moderating and mitigating local temperatures are increasingly important. While the reduced temperatures found in forests and wetlands are recognized, their wider contribution to regional landscape cooling remains largely uncharacterized and unquantified. Herein, we propose and test a new method that estimates the temperature response and inertia of landscapes in high temperatures, based on land cover share. In order to achieve this goal, we combined the MODIS daytime land surface temperature (henceforth LST) time series and CORINE land cover data. We classified the time series in two ways, i.e. by stepwise temperature range (-10/-5 °C to +35/+40 °C) and by the occurrence of hot days (days with a mean LST ≥ 30 °C). As an explanatory variable, we developed and used a greenest pixel composite of the MODIS normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) time series. In our study area, covering parts of northeastern Germany and western Poland, the fragmented landscape has heterogeneous temperature patterns, including urban heat islands, warm agricultural areas, cool forests and cold wetlands. We found that at high temperature ranges only forests and wetlands remained comparably cool, with LSTs up to 20.8 °C lower than the maximum LST in the study area. The analysis of land cover shares and LSTs revealed the substantial cooling effect of forests and wetlands in line with increasing land cover share in higher temperature ranges, as well as on hot days. The relation between LST and the NDVI indicated vegetation cover as the cause. We propose the corresponding metrics to quantify landscape-level temperature regulation. Equally, we advocate for management to identify these ecosystem services and their current and potential contributions, along with implications for sustaining and increasing, both tree cover and wetlands and thereby adapting landscapes to climate change.}, language = {en} } @article{GohrvonWehrdenMayetal.2022, author = {Gohr, Charlotte and von Wehrden, Henrik and May, Felix and Ibisch, Pierre L.}, title = {Remotely sensed effectiveness assessments of protected areas lack a common framework: A review}, series = {Ecosphere}, volume = {13}, journal = {Ecosphere}, number = {4}, publisher = {Wiley}, issn = {2150-8925}, doi = {10.1002/ecs2.4053}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-4799}, pages = {14}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Effective protected areas reflect socio-ecological values, such as biodiversity and habitat maintenance, as well as human well-being. These values, which safeguard ecosystem services in protected areas, are treated as models for the sustainable preservation and use of resources. While there is much research on the effectiveness of protected areas in a variety of disciplines, the question is whether there is a common framework that uses remote sensing methods. We conducted a qualitative and a quantitative analysis of 44 peer-reviewed scientific papers utilizing remote sensing data in order to examine the effectiveness of protected areas. Very few studies to date have a wide or even a global geographical focus; instead, most quantify the effectiveness of protected areas by focusing on local-scale case studies and single indicators such as forest cover change. Methods that help integrate spatial selection approaches, to compare a protected area's characteristics with its surroundings, are increasingly being used. Based on this review, we argue for a multi-indicator-based framework on protected area effectiveness, including the development of a consistent set of socio-ecological indicators for a global analysis. In turn, this will allow for globally applicable use, including a concrete evaluation that considers the diversity of regional parameters, biome-specific variables, and political frameworks. Ideally, such a framework will enhance the monitoring and evaluation of global strategies and conventions.}, language = {en} } @misc{Gohr2022, author = {Gohr, Charlotte}, title = {Dataset: Protected Area Effectiveness}, doi = {10.6084/m9.figshare.17198771}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-4801}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Data collection of articles assessing the socio-ecological effectiveness of protected areas using remote sensing}, language = {en} } @article{DabardGohrWeissetal., author = {Dabard, Caroline H{\´e}l{\`e}ne and Gohr, Charlotte and Weiss, Fabio and von Wehrden, Henrik and Neumann, Frederike and Hordasevych, Solomiia and Arieta, Bruno and Hammerich, Jenny and Meier, Caroline and Jargow, Janine and Luthardt, Vera and Ibisch, Pierre L. and Ferreira, Ana Filipa}, title = {Biosphere Reserves as model regions for transdisciplinarity? A literature review}, series = {Sustainability Science}, volume = {19}, journal = {Sustainability Science}, number = {6}, publisher = {Springer Japan}, address = {Tokyo}, issn = {1862-4065}, doi = {10.1007/s11625-024-01542-1}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-9497}, pages = {2065 -- 2081}, abstract = {Abstract The World Network of Biosphere Reserves promotes learning sites for sustainable development, designated under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere programme (MAB). The programme aims to strengthen biodiversity conservation, economic development and capacity building. Scientific research in and about Biosphere Reserves is expected to support these objectives. In response to a strong focus on natural sciences and conservation issues, calls for transdisciplinary approaches emanated from science and the newest MAB Lima Action Plan. Yet, the extent and contributions of transdisciplinary research in Biosphere Reserves remains unexplored. This study provides a comprehensive and systematic screening of 3304 scientific publications in and about Biosphere Reserves published since 1975. Research within Biosphere Reserves spans a broad spectrum, encompassing social to political to ecological investigations, with a focus on natural sciences and studies conducted mainly in Europe and Asia. We identified an emerging field of transdisciplinary science in research, represented in 336 publications. Most transdisciplinary studies were conducted in Mexican and Indian Biosphere Reserves. While transdisciplinary research provided insights about participation, management and governance in Biosphere Reserves, its transformative potential could be enhanced, notably through stronger forms of participation of non-academic actors in research processes. Our review suggests strengthening knowledge co-creation about transformative solutions and interventions addressing deep leverage points. Scientific research could thereby enhance the role of Biosphere Reserves as model regions for sustainability transformations.}, subject = {-}, language = {en} } @article{AdhikariBachsteinGohretal., author = {Adhikari, Yojana and Bachstein, Nadine and Gohr, Charlotte and Blumr{\"o}der, Jeanette S. and Meier, Caroline and Ibisch, Pierre L.}, title = {Old-growth beech forests in Germany as cool islands in a warming landscape}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {14}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, number = {1}, publisher = {Nature Publishing Group UK}, address = {London}, issn = {2045-2322}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-024-81209-0}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-9608}, abstract = {Abstract The climate crisis seriously threatens Central European forests and their ecosystem functions. There are indications that old-growth forests are relatively resilient and efficient in micro-climatic regulation during extreme climatic conditions. This study evaluates five well-protected old beech forests in Germany, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We examined temperature dynamics and vitality in core, buffer, and border zones during hot days from 2017 to 2023, using Landsat 8 and 9 imageries to assess Land Surface Temperature (LST) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), alongside on-site Air Temperature (AT) measurements. Our findings reveal that all five forests were impacted by recent extreme heat events, with core zones remaining cooler and more vital, followed by buffer zones. Temperature-regulating patterns varied with landscape characteristics and the surrounding matrixes. We observed a site-dependent cooling effect of the forest interior that increased with higher LST. Our study highlights the value of old-growth forests and recommends increasing effective protection around mature forests, establishing corridors between isolated patches, and creating mosaics in managed landscapes that include unmanaged areas capable of developing into old-growth ecosystems.}, subject = {-}, language = {en} } @article{DabardGohrWeissetal., author = {Dabard, Caroline H{\´e}l{\`e}ne and Gohr, Charlotte and Weiss, Fabio and von Wehrden, Henrik and Neumann, Frederike and Hordasevych, Solomiia and Arieta, Bruno and Hammerich, Jenny and Meier, Caroline and Jargow, Janine and Luthardt, Vera and Ibisch, Pierre L. and Ferreira, Ana Filipa}, title = {Correction: Biosphere Reserves as model regions for transdisciplinarity? A literature review}, series = {Sustainability Science}, volume = {19}, journal = {Sustainability Science}, number = {6}, publisher = {Springer Japan}, address = {Tokyo}, issn = {1862-4065}, doi = {10.1007/s11625-024-01589-0}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-9506}, pages = {2083 -- 2084}, subject = {-}, language = {en} } @article{GohrvonWehrdenSaatchietal., author = {Gohr, Charlotte and von Wehrden, Henrik and Saatchi, Sassan and Pettorelli, Nathalie and Ibisch, Pierre L.}, title = {Effectiveness of the world network of biosphere reserves in maintaining forest ecosystem functions}, series = {Communications Earth \& Environment}, volume = {6}, journal = {Communications Earth \& Environment}, number = {1}, publisher = {Nature Publishing Group UK}, address = {London}, issn = {2662-4435}, doi = {10.1038/s43247-025-02081-y}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-9691}, abstract = {Abstract UNESCO biosphere reserves serve as learning areas for sustainable development, where preserving ecosystem functionality is an imperative. However, this critical assumption has yet to be thoroughly examined. To address this knowledge gap, we investigated differences in satellite-derived proxies of ecosystem functions in forests between inside and surrounding areas of biosphere reserves, globally. Our findings based on linear mixed effect models show that (i) only 18 of 119 biosphere reserves exhibited higher values for all forest ecosystem function proxies inside the reserves compared to outside, (ii) smaller reserves in fragmented forestscapes were more affected by hot day temperatures, and (iii) greater forest cover correlated with increased ecosystem functioning across all biomes. This study underscores the potential significance of biosphere reserves to biodiversity conservation efforts and the need for the integration of satellite-based, outcome-oriented proxies of ecosystem functions in assessments of protected area effectiveness.}, subject = {-}, language = {en} }