Database Report

VESTA - resurvey of natural, non-forest vegetation (Central Europe)

Krzysztof Swierkosz & Kamila Reczynska

GIVD Database ID: EU-PL-004	Last update: 2025-11-25
VESTA - resurvey of natural, non-forest vegetation (Central Europe)	Web address:
Database manager(s): Krzysztof Swierkosz (krzysztof.swierkosz@uwr.edu.pl); Kamila Reczynska (kamila.reczynska@gmail.com)
Owner: Krzysztof Swierkosz & Kamila Reczynska
Scope: Resurvey database focused on documentation of changes in marginal, natural and non-forest, rocky, tall-herb and scrub phytocoenoses from Central Europe
Abstract: “VESTA - resurvey of natural, non-forest vegetation (Central Europe)” is a thematic, resurvey database focused on documentation of changes in natural, non-forest communities. Currently, the database includes 1014 relevés (377 replots for 123 sites) corresponding to the classes Asplenietea trichomanis, Polypodietea, Koelerio-Corynephoretea (rocky grasslands), Loiseleurio-Vaccinietea, Mulgedio-Aconitetea, as well as rocky and subalpine natural shrub communities. The project is continuous in character. It is based on the phytosociological relevés from own field studies which have been carried out in the Sudetes Mts. and their foothills since 1989. The subject of research have been all types of rocky communities (chasmophytic, grasslands, thickets), mountain and submountain tall-herb communities, subalpine thickets and heathlands. Relevés are collected according to the standard Braun-Blanquet method (species coverage scale: r, +, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) and on rectangular or square-shaped surfaces with possible adjustment to the shape of the rocky outcrops. Initially (until 2008), the location of plots was marked on maps and field sketches. However, the fact that all relevés were collected by the owners of the database made it easier to revisit all plots and assigned a location compatible with GPS with SiRFstar III chipset. The accuracy of position measurements varies between 2 and 15 meters (on average 10 meters). Aspect is determined using electronic compass linked to GPS. Altitude is obtained from Google Earth and corrected with landmarks from topographical maps if necessary. The shading of the plots has been visually assessed so far. The bedrock type is derived from a Detailed Geological Map of the Sudetes (http://sudety.pgi.gov.pl/). Subsequent resurveys of the plots are conducted during field visits planned specifically for this purpose or during other research carried out in the same area.
Availability: according to a specific agreement	Online upload: no	Online search: no
Database format(s): TURBOVEG	Export format(s): TURBOVEG, Excel, other, XML
Plot type(s): time series	Plot-size range (m²): 2 to 100
Non-overlapping plots: 377	Estimate of existing plots: 500	Completeness: 75%	Status: ongoing capture
Total no. of plot observations: 1014	Number of sources (biblioreferences, data collectors): 2	Valid taxa: 504
Countries (%): PL: 100%
Formations: Non Forest: 100% = Terrestrial: 100% (Arctic-alpin: 3%; Non arctic-alpin: 97% [Natural: 91%; Semi-natural: 1%])
Guilds: all vascular plants: 100%; bryophytes (terricolous or aquatic): 30%
Plot size categories (%): 1-10 m2: 72%%; 10-100 m2: 28%%;
Environmental data (%): altitude: 100%; slope aspect: 100%; slope inclination: 100%; other attributes: bedrock type, shadow of the locality
Performance measure(s): cover: 100%%
Geographic localisation: GPS coordinates (precision 25 m or less): 100%
Sampling periods: 1980-1989: 1,2%; 1990-1999: 12.2%; 2000-2009: 5%; 2010-2019: 65.4%; unknown: after 2020 15.9%
Information as of 2026-05-29; further details and future updates available from http://www.givd.info/ID/EU-PL-004

Krzysztof Swierkosz* (krzysztof.swierkosz@uwr.edu.pl)
Museum of Natural History, University of Wroclaw, Sienkiewicza 21, 50-335 Wroclaw, POLAND
Kamila Reczynska (kamila.reczynska@gmail.com)
Independent Researcher, Wesola 44/2, 50-524 Wroclaw, POLAND
* corresponding author