The locations:          


The field studies are conducted in vulnerable shrubland ecosystems representative for Europe at sites in Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Hungary, UK, and Denmark.
 Mols - Denmark
 Kiskun Sag - Hungary
Capo Caccia - Italy
 
 

Table 1 - Spain, Italy and The Netherlands

Table 2 - United Kingdom, Denmark and Hungary
The sites:

  • represent continental, Atlantic and Mediterranean shrublands and span a natural gradient in temperature from c. 8°C in the North to c. 16°C in the South
  • span a gradient in water input with three of the study sites limited by water
  • span a gradient in atmospheric nitrogen deposition, which is believed to interact strongly with climate factors.
  • represent different types of vulnerable shrubland ecosystems relevant for Europe, some of which are hosting endangered species.
  • in DK, NL, UK and ES was established during a previous project - CLIMOOR, allowing for obtaining a longer term experiment and dataset.
Basic characteristics of the 6 sites included in the VULCAN project:
Table 1
Spain
Italy
The Netherlands
Site Garraf NE Spain Capo Caccia, Sardinia, IT Oldebroek Central NL
Climate region Mediterranean Mediterranean Atlantic - dry
Use/management of Soil preservation Plant protection Bio-fuel Essential oil Recreation Conservation Hunting Soil preservation Conservation Recreation Turf cutting Conservation Recreation Turf cutting
shrubland eco-system
Precipitation 600 615 800
Temperature 13-15 14-16 8-10
Soil type Petric calcisol Chromic Luvisol Sandy podzol
N-deposition 5-12 8-12 35-45
Main plant species

Erica
Multiflora
Globularia
alypum

Pistacia lentiscus
Phillyrea spp.
Rosmarinus officinalis
Juniperus communis 		Calluna vulgaris
Molinia caerulea
Deschampsia flexuosa
Existing dataset 2 years No 2 years



Table 2 United Kingdom Denmark Hungary
Site Clocaenog NW Wales, UK Mols E Jutland, DK Kiskunsag Nat. Park Central Hungary
Climate region Atlantic - wet Atlantic - dry Continental
Use/management of Conservation Grazing Recreation Tourism Conservation Grazing Recreation Tourism Conservation Plant protection Biodiversity maintenance Hunting
shrubland eco-system
Precipitation 2000 550 535
Temperature 8-10 8-10 10-11
Soil type Peaty podzol Sandy podzol Humic sand
N-deposition 20-25 13 15-20
Main plant species

Calluna vulgaris
Vaccinium myrtillus

Calluna vulgaris Deschampsia flexuosa Juniperus communis
Populus
Canescens
Festuca
Vaginata
Existing dataset 2 years 2 years No

Last updated July 2001