Quantifying geomorphological heterogeneity to assess species diversity of set-aside arable land

The relationship between geomorphological habitat heterogeneity and species diversity was investigated on set-aside areas in arable land. The species assemblage of the studied set-aside areas had to be aggregated to groups of similar ecological behavior and indices of species diversity. Different methods of quantifying geomorphological habitat heterogeneity were tested, the relationship being investigated through regression and redundancy analysis. Two different sets of geomorphological data were used, one derived from already existing data bases like a digital elevation model and soil maps, the other also containing results from an investigation of the habitats. Significant relationships were found at different levels of data aggregation allowing for species diversity to be assessed based on geomorphological habitat heterogeneity.