Forest Biodiversity indicators in the Biosoil
Project
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Goals of the biodiversity package:
•To harmonize activities at European level and to use common parameters, in
key issues of forest biodiversity
•To asses the usefulness of Level I European network for supporting
transfrontier intensive studies
•A first classification of the European forests, taking account the problems of
selection of indicators, its robustness and effectiveness
• To carry out a feasible methodology and guidelines for future studies
•The design of a framework for studying the forest biodiversity in space and
time, with future assessments
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Selection of indicators
What indicators do we need?
The selection of indicators to use in any particular assessment will depend on the precise
goals of the assessment (which has to be clearly defined) and on the framework for the
development of the selected indicator. In addition, the relationship between selected
indicators and endpoints should be analyzed using appropriate statistical approaches
(Hyman and Leibowitz, 2001). Many indicators of forest biodiversity have been poorly
tested and require rigorous validation in order to be interpreted with confidence (Noss,
1999).
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In a recent report from the EEA (Anon. 2007), several sets of indicators were proposed for European biodiversity aiming to evaluate the 2010- target. Concerning forest biodiversity three indicators have been suggested:
•Ecosystem coverage, •Forest growing stocks •Dead wood.
Only the last two have relevance for the assessment of biodiversity trends in European forests.
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What are indicators?
Indicators are measurements or expressions that convey information about more
than just themselves. They quantify and simplify information on complex issues that
is often derived from technical investigations.
Indicators are purpose-dependent and open to interpretation, and rarely, if ever, tell
the whole story. Indicators should be:
• scientifically valid;
• based on easily available data;
• responsive to change;
• easily understandable;
• relevant to focal issues and users’ needs;
• subject to target or threshold setting.
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In addition Biosoil has several peculiarities:
At European level the project cover different scenarios of work, from boreal to
mediterranean systems, therefore it has to be:
•Easy to carry on, cleary defined and comparable among plots
•To include different structures and ecosystems in Europe
•To cover the key issues for the study of forest biodiversity
•Feasibility of be repeated thorough time
•Applicable in Level I plots.
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The sampling approach of the biodiversity component of BioSoil includes the following surveys;
Plot design: BioSoil sampling plot designGeo-referencing of the plot using a common projection
Forest type classificationVerification of actual forest type
Structural forest diversity ‒
Diameter at breast height and species composition of all woody plants (including standing and lying trees, living and dead))‒ Coarse woody debris (including snags and stumps)‒ Canopy closure and tree layering
Compositional forest diversityGround vegetation (vascular plant species list)
BioSoil sampling approach:
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In biodiversity assessment a key issue is the use of an appropriate scale resolution.
Species distribution data on, for example 50x50 km grids, may provide little guidance on
the presence or absence of species in any given square kilometer of forest. However,
such data may be useful for estimating patterns of species richness, in particular clusters,
by superimposing distribution data for each individual species. Such potential richness
maps, though coarse, can be combined with data on forest cover to indicate forest areas
that are likely to have high species richness and to direct further inventory work.
It is a pilot project where different countries has participated in different ways, using all or
part of Level I plots (half, one quarter). This issue is very important when assessing the
data at transnational level.
Biosoil design
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The sampling plot design affects the variability and the representatively of the network.
One approach is to deal with that problem in a large-scale inventory, by taking a number of
samples and mixing them together in a combined sample that can be analysed. The most
frequently asked questions are how many samples should be taken and how high should
be. Uncertainties that appear on different scales and at different components. Especially,
systematic errors have to be avoided. Analytical data which are systematically too high or
too low have to be avoided, too.
Biosoil design (II)
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It is recommended that the BioSoil sampling plot be sited in relation to the location of the
crown condition assessment and the soil pit of the soil component of the BioSoil project, in
such way that the soil pit should be within the 2000 m2, but where possible outside the
boundaries of subplots 1 and 2. If the BioSoil plot occurs on steep slopes and slope
correcting factors are used, they should be recorded and noted in the data forms along with
the average slope of the plot.
Based in a large amount of studies developed using this type of design the basic BioSoil plot
is devised as a circular plot divided in three circular subplots: an outer plot (subplot 3) with a
radius of 25.24 m (2000 m2) and including 2 circular subplots with fixed radii of 3.09 m (30
m2, subplot 1) and 11.28 m (400 m2, subplot 2).
Optionally for specific surveys within the BioSoil plot such as ground vegetation and forest
deadwood, 4 randomly selected squares of 10 m x 10 m (so called random sampling units A,
B, C and D) may be established within the 2000 m2 plot, while still respecting the overall
BioSoil subplot layout 1, 2 and 3 for the other surveys e.g. DBH.
Biosoil design (III)
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The random selection is carried out by first generating a random azimuth and
random distance from the centre of the BioSoil plot to establish a corner of the
random sampling unit A. From this first sampling unit the other three sampling
units B, C and D may be established by using the same azimuth and distance as
for plot A but rotated through 90o on each occasion. These sampling units should
not overlap.
The random sampling units A,B, C and D are used optionally only instead of the
recommended BioSoil subplots 1 and 2 where countries desire to do so. It is not
mandatory to establish the random sampling Units A, B, C and D in the BioSoil
plot. Where they are established they may be used for ground vegetation and
coarse woody debris assessments only. When they are not established,
vegetation and deadwood surveys are conducted only in BioSoil subplots 1 and
2.
Biosoil design (IV)
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The basic BioSoil circular sampling plot of 25.24 m radius, consisting of 3 subplots of different radii and optionally
for specific surveys 4 randomly selected square sampling units (A, B, C, and D)
Unit Shape Radius*(area)
Subplot (1) Circle 3.09 m (30 m2)
Subplot (2) Circle 11.28 m (400 m2)
Subplot (3) Circle 25.24 m (2000 m2)
Unit A, B, C, and D Square 10 m x 10 m (100 m2)
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Biosoil design (V)
Subpar 1 30 m2
Subpar 2 400 m2
Subpar 3 2000 m2
General plot description YesCheck of the forest type classification Yes
DBH and species of all woody plants taller than (standing and lying living and dead trees)
DBH > 0 cm DBH > 10 cm DBH> 50 cm
Top height and bottom of canopy layer Selection of 5 trees
Coarse woody debris (incl. stumps and snags) D > 10 cm D > 10 cm -Canopy closure (visual) YesTree layering (visual) YesGround vegetation –vascular species list only Yes
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Mandatory minimum requirements in the BioSoil Plot. Tree species and DBH of standing and lying,
living and dead trees (H >130 cm) are recorded across the entire BioSoil sampling plot according to the
diameter thresholds shown above. Forest deadwood (coarse woody debris incl. stumps and snags, ground
vegetation (vascular plant species list only) are measured in a total sampling area of 400 m2. Ground
vegetation and forest deadwood surveys may be performed in EITHER the two BioSoil subplots 1 and 2 OR
in the randomly selected sample units A. B, C and D of 10 m x 10 m each.
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The general description of the Level I plot has been performed according to the description of the EU/ICP-Forests Level I plots (UN-ECE, 2004) Under the BioSoil demonstration project, this description is validated in the field, together with the following complementary compulsory parameters for the interpretation of the results:
Previous land use Origin of standForest managementForest Type Harvesting methodRemoval of coarse woody debris Ownership informationPattern of tree mixtureAge of the dominant tree layerSlope Orientation Fencing of the plot
GENERAL PLOT DESCRIPTION
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Some indicators, such as area of different forest types and protected forest area, are
common to all of the criteria and indicator processes and international reporting
obligations.
The total area of each type of forest present in a country has a major bearing on the
biodiversity that can be supported. Spatial or mapped data on the extent and location of
forests can thus be used to generate useful indicators for both assessing and monitoring
forest biodiversity. This information can be derived from satellite remote sensing or aerial
survey. Its usefulness depends on an ability to classify forest types in ways that are
meaningful in biodiversity terms. This usually requires integration with other types of
information, including forest structure, soils, topography and expert knowledge.
As well, a parallel study to BioSoil has classified the Level I plots into broad forest types
based on the main tree species and some few other selection criteria, using the existing
data of the Monitoring Programme (Chirici et al., 2005). A system using the nomenclature
developed by the EEA is used, which classifies Europe into 28 general forest types.
Forest type classification
This process will allow verification of other systems of forest classification and should also
be a very useful tool to permit a pre-stratification of the plots at national level for sampling
purposes.The forest type classification in the BioSoil comprises the verification of the pre-assessed forest type classification of the Level I at plot level (EEA system).
It’s a very important parameter at three levels:- Assessment of the nowadays situation of the European forests- Checking if it’s recommendable a more in depth study for certain forest types- Assessment of changes in a temporal scale
Forest type classification also gives information about the human activity effects in the forests
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Forest type classification (II)
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Structural characteristics of forest stands are relatively easy to assess and are of fundamental importance for biodiversity. Forest stands tend to be structurally heterogeneous, both vertically and horizontally; structural complexity may determine habitat availability and may thus influence in the diversity of plant, animal and microbial communities. Measures of forest structure that can contribute to indicators include canopy cover, vertical structure of the canopy, and size or age distribution of trees.Forest structure is of interest in biodiversity monitoring due to its use by forest organisms, i.e. habitat range. The measurement of forest structure provides an important, robust and repeatable indicator of forest biodiversity.
Structural diversity including:Tree diameter (see plot design)Tree species composition of all trees on the BioSoil sampling plotTree height measurementsCanopy characteristics
Optional assessmentdistance from plot center to each tree (in meters with 1 decimal)azimuth from plot center to each tree (in degrees 360o)
Structural forest diversity
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Tree diameter distribution, species composition, tree height
The tree diameter distribution is used to describe the structure of the forest stand.
The DBH is recorded in cm only as follows:
Subplot 1: DBH > 0 cm and taller than 130 cm
Subplot 2: DBH > 10 cm
Subplot 3: DBH > 50 cm
All trees (standing and lying, living and dead) are calipered (or measured by tape) at DBH
(130 cm) if the height is greater than 130 cm.
Tree species is recorded for all measured living and dead trees according to the species
list.
Tree status is recorded as well: (condition code 1= standing living, 2= standing dead, 3=
lying dead
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The canopy structure has widespread ramifications on the function of the forested ecosystem and its suitability to support other species. It plays an important role for the regeneration of trees as well as for understory species. They can also serve as early warnings for changes in the abundance of difficult to measure species including endangered species and soil species. The BioSoil project includes estimates of canopy closure and number of tree layers. Canopy closure is estimated as the amount of shade that the canopies of trees create on the ground.
Canopy characteristics
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Deadwood has become more and more considered as indicator in the assessment of
the biodiversity and naturalness of forest systems. Its occurrence, in an appropriate
proportion according to forest use, is fundamental for the maintenance of biological
diversity, since it represents a microhabitat for hundred of species of invertebrates, fungi,
bryophytes, lichens, amphibians, small mammals and birds.
The quantity of deadwood occurring in natural forests in the different European regions
depends on many factors, and its correct estimation must consider forest type,
development stage, type and frequency of natural disturbance in the region, type of
management, but also soil and climatic characteristics, which together contribute to
complete the formation and decomposition cycle of deadwood.
Quantities of deadwood have strongly decreased since the middle of the nineteenth
century due to intense forest exploitation and widespread burning of small wood pieces
and other leftovers, and to the removal of all physical obstacles to selvicultural activity.
The forest deadwood assessment involves mandatory measuring of lying dead trees,
coarse woody debris (CWD), snags, and stumps. in this case.
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Forest deadwood
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Forest deadwood II
Forest deadwood components with diameter greater than 10 cm
are considered as coarse woody debris and assessed by a full
sampling within either the inner subplots 1 and 2 or the four
randomly selected square BioSoil sampling units A, B, C and D.
Fine woody debris is measured as an option only using the
same approach as CWD but using a 5 cm threshold.
Presence of deadwood can be related to the intensity of
selvicultural actions and the way these are carried out. This is
because deadwood quantities (woody necromass) in managed
forests are considerably lower than in forests left to evolve
naturally: it has been estimated that only 2 to 30% of the
deadwood found in non-managed forests occurs in managed
ones. Therefore, in the interest of conservation, attempts are
being made to increase woody necromass in productive areas.
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1. Mandatory• Diameter (in cm) of coarse woody debris and length (in m) • Species of the coarse woody debris if possible (see species list)• Diameter of stump (cm) less than 130 cm in height with a diameter at normal cut height greater than 10 cm• Species of stump if possible (see species list) • Estimated diameter of snag (cm) and snag height (in m)• Species of snag if possible (see species list)• Decay state (5 classes) of all deadwood
2. Optional • Diameter (in cm) of fine woody debris and length (in m).• Species of fine woody debris species if possible (see species list)
Coarse woody debris (CWD) includes stems, limbs, branches lying on the ground occurring in the inner subplots 1 & 2 OR in the 4 square optional sampling units.
Forest deadwood (III)
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Ground vegetation information is a key parameter for biodiversity, directly expressed by
the species richness and derived indices like Shannon-Wiener-Index or Simpson- Index,
indirectly trough the providing of numerous ecological niches.
Furthermore ground vegetation is a bioindicator of environmental changes and can thus be
used for long-term studies of vegetation dynamics and their relationship to changes in
other forest ecosystem variables like deposition, climate, soil and also other key
parameters for biodiversity like stand structure.
Detecting change in populations of forest species is problematic, especially for animals,
which are usually difficult to census, and especially in tropical moist forests where most
species are, statistically speaking, rare. It is unlikely that significant changes can be
detected with confidence in less than 4-5 years. Even when change can be detected,
caution must be exercised when interpreting it, mainly because populations of species
constantly change under natural conditions. km x 32 km grid.
COMPOSITIONAL BIODIVERSITY Ground vegetation
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Such changes are brought about by climatic fluctuations, disease, predator-prey cycles
and other interactions between species, as well as random or stochastic variation.
Distinguishing these changes from those brought about by human actions may be
difficult.
Following the recommendations of the EU/ICP Forest Expert Panel on Ground
Vegetation, vascular plant species list are assessed on mandatory across the
minimum sampling area of 400m2
Vascular plant species list are assessed by a full sampling within EITHER the inner
subplots 1 and 2 OR the four optionally selected square sampling units A, B, C and D.
As previously showed, interannual changes in vegetation thorough the year due to the
climatic conditions that affect mainly to annual species
Ground vegetation (II)
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•Lichens Lichen assessment is relevant to describe and monitor part of forest biodiversity
development over time in space and evaluate effects of changing air quality over time in
space. Only macrolichens can be assessed on a representative sample of plots for Europe.
The effects of the surrounding landscape on species richness on the plot (e.g. area
•of forests / fragmentation) can be assessed, at landscape level.
•Naturalness / Environmental quality: Considering the proposed forest naturalness
assessment at all levels is rather a quality parameter/concept, it has been proposed
replacing the expression “Naturalness” with the new one “Environmental quality”.
•Invertebrates: To address the main priorities at European level (climate change, loss of
biodiversity/SEBI2010, synergies with the Nature2000 network, ecosystem functioning) is
recommended to apply the method “window traps”,
•Birds This would allow information on bird species densities and frequency of occurrence to
be evaluated against already existing data on forest structure and ground vegetation
communities for the first time.
Biosoil
optional indicators
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Level I plots near of roads, buildings… can have altered their characteristics in flora
species, distribution and number of components . The consequence it that flora inventory in
Biosoil gives less number of individuals that registered in the Level II ForestBiota project.
In pasture land and dehesas there are almost no trees in the plots.
Flora inventory one time per year does not necessarily show annual species that only
appear seasonally
Problems during the plot design in Spain
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Plots hierarchy accordingprevious land use
Years Plots Nª %
Forested > 300 years 24 15,89
Forested > 100 years 53 35,10
forested more 100 y. 55 36,42
In the past 25 years 4 2,65
no information 15 9,93
Plots hierachy according the origin of stand
Origin Plots %
Planted 50 32,26
Seeded 4 2,58
Natural regeneration 80 51,61
Mixed 11 7,10
Unknown 6 3,87
Plots hierarchy according the pattern of tree mixture
Differents species Plots Number %
Intimate 36 23,84
No intimate 21 13,91
Monospecific 94 62,25
Example of results: Spain
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Códe Descriptión Nº plots % total
1 Boreal Forest
2 Hemiboreal and nemoral Scots pine forest
3 Alpine coniferous forest 7 4,52
4 Atlantic and nemoral oakwoods, Atlantic ashwoods and dune forest 7 4,52
5 Oak-hornbeam forest
6 Beech forest
7 Montaneous beech forest 4 2,58
8 Thermophilous deciduos forest 19 12,26
9 Broadleaved evergreen forest 42 27,10
10Coniferous forests of the Mediterranean, Anatolian and Macaronesian regions 47 30,32
11 Swamp forest
12 Floodplain forest 1 0,65
13 Native plantations 15 9,68
14 Exotic plantations and woodlands 13 8,39
Total 151 100,00
Forest type classification in Spain
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No deadwood in 40% of the plots, up to 65% if stumps are excluded
Degradation of deadwood is Level 3: dead wood mantain its structure but neither
branchlets nor bark
There are a link between forest types and the amount and level of dead wood.
degradation: Lowest index in quantity (60% of plots without dead wood) and degradation
level (less than 3) occurs in evergreen broadleaves
Deadwood
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Especie Nº parcela Especies Nº de parcela
Quercus ilex 62 Rubus sp 35
Juniperus oxycedrus 39 Genista scorpius 30
Pinus halepensis 29 Crataegus monogyna 24
Quercus coccifera 24 Cistus ladanifer 23
Pinus pinaster 21 Ulex europaeus 16
Pinus sylvestris 19 Rhamnus alaternus 16
Quercus pyrenaica 19 Rubus ulmifolius 13
Pinus nigra 17 Cistus albidus 13
Juniperus communis 17 Cytisus sp 12
Quercus robur 16 Buxus sempervires 12
Tree and shrub species with highest presence in the BIOSOIL plots, amount of plots where have been found
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November 2009 Brusseles
Conclusion
Biosoil project has been the first great scale test of biodiversity in the framework of European
Damage grids.
Data obtained in this first phase give us a nowadays picture, but more in depth studies are
necessary covering all the European plots and developing periodic revisions to assess the “loss of
biological diversity”, in order to contribute to the 2010 policy goal.
Loss of biological diversity description depends of multitude of factors: (i) time space between
assessments, (ii) spatial and regional scale, (iii) selection of parameters (key issue in the assessment
process)
Basic parameters in the biodiversity studies are assessed. In any case it’s necessary to follow the
assessment in the future in order to study trends and remove the influence of punctual climatic
events.
Other parameters should be included in the future, as
the quoted lichen analysis or microsoil fauna. Wide
spreading of the assessment to all the European Level I
grid, forest inventories Level II and other forest grids
also should be considered in the future.
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PROTECCIÓN FORESTAL
“Forest Focus Biosoil-Conference 2009”
9th
November 2009 Brusseles
¡Thanks you!
MINISTERIODE CIENCIA Y TECNOLOGÍA
INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE INVESTIGACIÓNY TECNOLOGÍA
AGRARIA Y ALIMENTARIA
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MINISTERIODE CIENCIA Y TECNOLOGÍA
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CIFOR
PROTECCIÓN FORESTAL
“Forest Focus Biosoil-Conference 2009”
9th
November 2009 Brusseles