A review of the assessment of biodiversity in forest ecosystems

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to give a general description and analysis of the key factors important for forest biodiversity, and to show the development of a strategy for choosing an indicator methodology for assessment of forest biodiversity. Different biodiversity indicator schemes (methodologies) have been developed recently and all should be capable of being adapted to the specific objectives of biodiversity assessment and to the forest types concerned.Design/methodology/approachA forest ecosystem comprises three main components: structure (e.g. physical characteristics); composition (e.g. number and population of species); and function (e.g. evapo‐transpiration) and it is upon these characteristics that forest biodiversity is based and determined. Forest ecosystems can therefore be characterised by key factors (parameters) which are important for the development of indicators and evaluation of biodiversity.FindingsThe key factors can be grouped or classified according to major ecosystem components and also according to spatial scale (national, regional, landscape and stand level). Selected indicators are the tools that can be used to assess the size/or level and quality of forest biodiversity.Originality/valueBiodiversity key factors and indicators are crucial for studying and monitoring forest biodiversity.

Reviewing the strength of evidence of biodiversity indicators for forest ecosystems in Europe

“…Three primary attributes of biodiversity are widely recognised as providing a framework for research on forest biodiversity (Spanos et al, 2006;Larsson et al, 2001a,b;Noss, 1990;Franklin, 1988). These are: (1) Species/composition; identity and variety of elements, including species lists and measures of species diversity; (2) structure; physiognomy of forest as measured within a stand to variation at forest scale and on to the pattern of forest patches at a landscape scale; and (3) function; ecological and evolutionary processes, including gene flow, disturbances and nutrient cycling.…”

Resin production in natural Aleppo pine stands in northern Evia, Greece

“…Several factors influencing resin production (through wounding) have been reported (Zanski 1970, Moulalis 1981, Philippou 1986, Papajiannopoulos 1997, such as soil, climate, applied chemicals, tree age, silvicultural regime, and genetics of trees. Managing the genetic diversity of forest species is an essential component of forest management practices (Namkoong 1991, Eriksson et al 1995, Andersson et al 1997, Buchert et al 1997, Mullin and Bertrand 1998, Spanos and Feest 2007 since it 1) secures the provision of goods of ecological and economical value, 2) preserves the capacity of forests to respond to changing environmental pressures, and 3) is a tool to keep the genetic material of forest trees for breeding purposes and further use. The purpose of this study was 1) to address the variability in resin production in natural pine forests in northern Evia, 2) to investigate the correlation between tree size and resin production, and 3) to draw conclusions for sustainable forest management.…”

Regulation of small-scale carbon sink projects in the clean development mechanism from the perspective of aspects of multidisciplinary biodiversity

“…Just as earlier afforestations in Western Europe were aimed at production, with the introduction of conifers (Schelhaas et al 2006), the same inconsiderate routine is now transferred to land in developing countries. Ecological processes are not maintained well when forest biodiversity is not conserved effectively (Spanos and Feest 2007). However, there is currently a lack of empirical evidence for the statement that biodiversity maintains ecosystem services (Mertz et al 2007).…”