5.2 Wilderness and process dynamics
‚Wilderness' has grown to a substantial topic in the conservation community in the last decades. In the session we want to focus on ecosystem dynamics of wild lands and the implications for protected areas management (e.g. the spontaneous wilderness restoration concept). We welcome oral and poster presentations about empirical research and monitoring as well as modelling of ecosystem dynamics in protected areas: on spatial and temporal patterns (effects of natural disturbance on biota and site/soil conditions, formation of niches, soil species distribution, succession, biodiversity) and on related processes along the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum (effects on water, greenhouse gas fluxes etc.) and consequences for the provision of ecosystem services. We also appreciate contributions on related theories, concepts for policy and management, networks and databases.