A novel forest state assessment methodology to support conservation and forest management planning

T Standovár,Zs Pataki,M Plattner,K Kelemen,T Roth,B Kovács,F Szmorad

doi:10.1556/168.2016.17.2.5

Abstract

A new forest state assessment methodology to complement existing conservation and forestry data has been developed. The aim is to provide tools for strategic planning including spatial distribution of conservation priorities. The method is point-based using a dense systematic sampling grid and provides more detailed information than vegetation maps or forest subcompartment descriptions, but requires less effort than forest inventories. Indicators include canopy composition and structure, deadwood, herbs, microhabitats, disturbances, shrubs and regeneration. The results can inform managers about the structural and compositional diversity of forest stands in the form of thematic maps and can provide the basis for analysis of habitat suitability for forest-dwelling organisms. A smartphone application has been developed to enable electronic data collection. PostGIS and Python scripts were used in the data flow. In this paper, we outline the development of the assessment protocol, and present the sampling design and the variables recorded. The main advantages of the survey methodology are also shown by case-studies based on data collected during the first field season in 2014. The protocol has been designed for low mountain forests in Hungary, but it can be modified to fit other forest types.

Highlights

Forests were mainly used and managed for timber production
Social expectations regarding forests have notably changed in the last few decades. These changes are reflected in the initiatives of the pan-European FOREST EUROPE process, as well as in the statements on the role of forests in modern societies presented in the EU Forest Action Plan (EC 2006), and the New EU Forest Strategy (EC 2013)
Less deteriorated regions, because of social and economic hindrance, there is a shortage of land available for reserve allocation, and proper reserve management is often compromised. As it was stated by Lindenmayer and Franklin (2002) '... most forest will be in off-reserve, or matrix, lands in the vast majority of forest regions and forest types

Summary

Introduction

Forests were mainly used and managed for timber production. In addition to the traditional production function (timber), the other – often conflicting – functions that forests should fulfil include protective functions (e.g., of site, drinking water basis), biodiversity and ecosystem functions, social and cultural functions (e.g., health promotion, education, recreation) and economic functions (i.e., sustainable use of forest related goods and services). Less deteriorated regions, because of social and economic hindrance, there is a shortage of land available for reserve allocation, and proper reserve management is often compromised. As it was stated by Lindenmayer and Franklin (2002) '... Comprehensive strategies for the conservation of forest biodiversity must include both reserves and matrix-based strategies.'

Objectives

Methods

Findings

Conclusion