Table 7.

Advantages and disadvantages of the possible methods for the derivation of Ellenberg site EIVs.

	Calculation of average EIVs based on vegetation mapping and species lists	Theoretical estimation of site EIVs, based on soil maps
Advantage	•Fine-scale •Easy to obtain •The principle is well described in the literature •Applicable without further expertise	•Often widely available •Future scenarios use the same logic as current scenarios to derive values
Disadvantage	•Not available for future scenarios (only over time for space) •Not available after recent disturbances when the vegetation is destroyed/absent, such as fires, floods, or raw soil conditions •The same sources are used for species EIV selection	•National or federal state-specific standards for soil maps and the available parameters •Requires expert knowledge of phytogeography to determine how soil and site characteristics affect the vegetation