Loss of characteristic species across German federal states detected by repeated mapping of protected habitats

Abstract

Identifying the winners and losers of biodiversity change within different habitat types requires systematic monitoring. While such data are still lacking in Germany, species trends could be derived from previously untapped sources. Here, we derive temporal trends in plant species from data of repeated habitat mapping programs of three German states from 1977-2021, both across all habitat types per state and within habitat types. Consistently negative trends were found across all states for species preferring heaths and semi-natural grasslands, moist to wet grasslands, and coastal and marine habitats, including many endangered species. Consistently positive trends were found for species preferring scrubs, copses and field hedges, and for non-native species. Trends within habitat types showed negative trends for species characteristic of those habitat types. While trends varied among states, the overall patterns were very similar. This points to ongoing habitat degradation and common drivers of biodiversity change in Germany.