Lessons Learned from Vegetation Stability Indicators Applied to Individual Vegetation Types

There is a growing need to optimize conservation efforts in the face of widespread habitat loss and climate change. We explored the utility of an existing indicator framework encompassing ten indicators representing matches and mismatches between current and potential vegetation estimates. Using Hungary as a case study, the framework was applied to three vegetation types: Artemisia salt steppes, swamp forests, and beech forests. The spatial distribution of indicators revealed patterns of stability, degradation, and restoration potential. Artemisia salt steppes were largely stable in their core range but showed signs of instability and vegetation inertia in certain western and central regions within Hungary. Swamp forests exhibited strong regional variation, while beech forests were mostly confined to climatically suitable mountainous regions, with high stability overall, though some marginal and western populations showed signs of instability possibly linked to climate change. Exploring the spatial pattern of these indicators provided valuable spatial insights into vegetation condition, highlighting areas of high conservation value, instability, and restoration opportunity. The framework shows potential for guiding conservation planning, supporting habitat restoration, and informing land-use decisions by identifying where the specific vegetation types are selfsustaining versus where intervention may be needed.