title: Early maps as stepping stones for the reconstruction of historic ecological conditions and biota.
abstract: We reconstructed the flora of a European region at a historical point in time from historical topographical maps that contain rather precise information about the condition and composition of habitats. The ecological information obtained from these maps can be enriched through the potential of broadly diversified archival information. This study is confined to grassland communities. Considerations in terms of phytosociology make historical lists of plant species a good starting point for the reconstruction of grassland communities. The combination of historical and scientific methods proves suitable for reconstructing specific historical environmental conditions. Taking into account the frequency of relevant historical sources in European archives as well as in archives abroad, this approach claims for far-reaching application to ecosystem restoration matters, especially if ecological information from natural sources is missing.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Historical Anthropology and Human Ecology, Department of Zoology and Anthropology, University of Goettingen, Buergerstrasse 50, 37073 Goettingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Antje
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jakupi
authors.forename: Peter-M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Steinsiek
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Herrmann
mesh_terms: D044822:Biodiversity; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D017753:Ecosystem; D005843:Geography / Q000266:history*; D005858:Germany; D049671:History, 18th Century; D008377:Maps as Topic; D029783:Thuja
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal