1. A Decision Support System for Management of Mires in the Forest
First results of a research project (2006 – 2009) Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Division of Soil Science and Site Science (Prof. J. Zeitz, B. Hasch, H. Lotsch) University of Applied Science Eberswalde, Department of Vegetational Science and Applied Plant Ecology (Prof. V. Luthardt, R. Meier)
Supported by:
Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt

2. Object of investigation
Definition - Forest mire
„Forest mires (in terms of DSS-WAMOS) are defined as mires (with or without wood) connected to forest. The catchment area is predominantly covered with wood - which has a significant impact on the water supply situation of the mire.“
A Decision Support System for Management of Mires in the Forest (DSS-WAMOS)

3. Background: pressures on forest mires
WATER DEFICIENCY
drainage-systems
lowering of the regional ground water table
unnatural composition of forest stand in the catchment area
A Decision Support System for Management of Mires in the Forest (DSS-WAMOS)

4. Background: previous restoration practice
Degree of success (n=53)
high
mid
low
not evaluated
23% 6%
49%
*Evaluation criteria here was the development of the mire water level (spacial / temporal) in 2006
49 % of the projects showed only slight degree of success*
75 % of the restoration projects (n = 53) were accomplished without any further site analysis or simply based on inspection of the site
low transparency regarding the aspired development objective and decision relevant parameter
disregard of abiotic parameter (water supply and nutrient budget)
A Decision Support System for Management of Mires in the Forest (DSS-WAMOS)

5. Project objective What shall the DSS-WAMOS provide?
Derive an individually adapted, optimal proposal for restauration measures in forest mires:
high reliability at rather low data-requirement
high transparency and simple practicability (dichotomous decision trees)
provision of expertise and professional decision-relevant information
point out possible incertainties and additional investigations if necessary
A Decision Support System for Management of Mires in the Forest (DSS-WAMOS)

6. Identification of decision-relevant parameter:
Methods
Identification of decision-relevant parameter:
evaluation of technical literature and guidelines concerning the restoration of mires
experts talks on restoration with participants from science and practice
analysis of restoration projects
analysis of existent DSS-components concerning its applicability
Development and validation of the DSS-structure
Model part: elaborate decision trees in a modular concept
validation in selected mires (test areas)
Literaturauswertung zur Maßnahmenidentifikation
Leitfäden der Länder
Fachliteratur zum Moorschutz
Auswertung von Expertenwissen zur Maßnahmenidentifikation
Workshops
Akteursbefragungen
gebietsbezogene Expertengespräche nach Auswahl geeigneter Projektgebiete
A Decision Support System for Management of Mires in the Forest (DSS-WAMOS)

7. Basic structure of the DSS-WAMOS model part
Section „objective of restoration"
module
„self-eutrophication"
„nutrient discharge"
protection of
species and habitats
„water regime"
water availability
restriction caused by land use
module
„rewetting potential“
module
„spacial resistance/
utilisation"
development objective (intended water level and pattern of use)
Section „determination of measures“
A Decision Support System for Management of Mires in the Forest (DSS-WAMOS)

8. DSS-WAMOS – development objective – Matrix
Warum grau hinterlegt!!!, erläutern
() = under reserve: * = practicable not until removal of all limitation ** = conservation of species and habitats has priority in case maintenance is secured
A Decision Support System for Management of Mires in the Forest (DSS-WAMOS)

9. Basic structure of the DSS-WAMOS model part
Section „objective of restoration"
module
„self-eutrophication"
„nutrient discharge"
protection of
species and habitats
„water regime"
water availability
restriction caused by land use
module
„rewetting potential“
module
„spacial resistance/
utilisation"
development objective (intended water level and pattern of use)
Section „determination of measures“
module
„hydraulic
situation“
module
„catchment area"
module
„maintenance“
matrix
„hydraulic
measures“
management strategy
A Decision Support System for Management of Mires in the Forest (DSS-WAMOS)

10. module „hydraulic situation“
Waldmoor-Kartierung
Ortskenntnis
Entwässerungsanlagen
keine wasserbauliche
vorhanden?
nein
Maßnahme ja
Waldmoor-Kartierung
Waldmoor-Kartierung
Ortskenntnis
Sonderuntersuchung
Waldmoor-Kartierung
Ortskenntnis
Vermessung
Handelt es sich um ein ja
Oberboden tiefer als 15 cm
geneigtes Moor?
stark vererdet? ja
Unterlagerung durch gering
zersetzten Torf? ja
nein
Geol. Karte
nein
Ortskenntnis
Waldmoor-Kartierung
Ortskenntnis
Ortskenntnis / Sonder-
hohe Durchlässigkeit in der
untersuchung / Probeschurf ja
mineralischen Umgebung/
nein
Oberboden tiefer als 15 cm
mineral. Untergrund?
stark vererdet?
Liegt gespanntes
Grundwasser im oberen
Hangbereich vor? ja
nein
Geol. Karte
Ortskenntnis
hohe Durchlässigkeit in der
nein
nein
mineralischen Umgebung/
mineral. Untergrund? ja
nein ja
Ortskenntnis / Sonder-
Task:
determination of hydraulic measures
Decision relevant parameters:
slope
mire depth
thickness of degraded topsoil
decomposition of undegraded peat layers in the subsoil
water permeability of mineral subsoil
existance of artesian ground water
kind of ditches
untersuchung / Probeschurf
flachgründiges Moor ?
nein ja
Maßnahmen -
Maßnahmen -
Maßnahmen -
Maßnahmen -
Maßnahmen -
Maßnahmen -
Maßnahmen -
Maßnahmen -
feld M8
Maßnahmen -
feld M1
feld M2
feld M3
feld M4
feld M5
feld M6
feld M7
feld M9
max. 5 steps to come to a
decision
A Decision Support System for Management of Mires in the Forest (DSS-WAMOS)

11. DSS-WAMOS – rewetting measures – Matrix
A Decision Support System for Management of Mires in the Forest (DSS-WAMOS)

12. Decision-relevant parameters module „Maintenance“
Task:
derive of adequate maintenance measures in the mire
Decision relevant parameters:
feasibility of hydraulic measures
type of current land use (agriculture / commercial forestry)
species of mire grove
existance of specific kinds of shadowing-sensitive vegetation that need to be preserved
hydrostatic type of mire / oszillation ability
abundance of brown mosses
long term warrantee maintenance
density of mire grove
kind of pine-needle (short-needle / long-needle type)
A Decision Support System for Management of Mires in the Forest (DSS-WAMOS)

13. DSS-WAMOS – Conclusion
differentiated, practicable basic structure
manageable amount of parameters and decision steps
parameters are largely available through the standardized mapping sheet of forest mires
additional investigations referring to:
slope of mire surface
mire depth
ground water (especially confined ground water)
additional external data / information requirement:
ground water table (trend)
geology
water quality (influx of surface water)
status of protected area / type of habitat (FFH-directive)
uncertainties:
evaluation of rewetting potential (uncertain water balance)
impact assessment of nutrient remobilisation and discharge
handling of heterogeneous areas
applicability on other natural geographic region
A Decision Support System for Management of Mires in the Forest (DSS-WAMOS)

14. Thank you for your attention!
Thank you for your attention!
supported by:
Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt