History of Vegetation and Land-Use Change in the Northern Calcareous Alps (Germany/Austria)

A review of the vegetation history of the Northern Calcareous Alps of Germany and Austria for the montane, subalpine and alpine vegetation belts above 900 m a.s.l. is presented. Natural vegetation changes are recorded until the end of the Atlantic period. Human impact started locally in the valleys, but soon spread into higher altitude. First alpine pastoral farming is documented since the Bronze Age. Furthermore, a monitoring study of alpine and subnival vegetation dynamics as well as a grazing experiment on the Zugspitzplatt (Wetterstein Mountains) is outlined. The Zugspitzplatt is Germany’s highest investigation site with a long altitudinal gradient from 2000 to 2700 m providing excellent conditions. Along with the specific site climate, pedogenetic processes, and soil conditions show considerable variation in the investigation area. The vegetation on these sites is highly influenced by anthropo-zoogenic impact.