The Chinese Forest Biodiversity Monitoring Network: 20-year achievements and outlook

Abstract

Background: Long-term observation of large-scale forest dynamics plot may be one of the best ways to understand the community scale dynamics of forests. Chinese Forest Biodiversity Monitoring Network (CForBio) was started to establish in 2004, and it is one of the most active part of Forest Global Earth Observatory (ForestGEO). Large-scale forest dynamics plots of CForBio are typically with a size of 20 ha, with three to five auxiliary plots with the size of 1-3 ha distributed across different vegetation areas. A standard protocol has been implemented for censusing woody plants with DBH (diameter at breast height) ≥ 1 cm. The objectives of this network are to monitor the patterns and dynamics of biodiversity within typical zonal forests in China, and to investigate the mechanisms underlying the origin and maintenance of biodiversity in these forests. Review Results: This paper briefly introduces the overview of CForBio, the establishment of the large dynamics forest plot, data sharing, capacity building, major scientific findings, and evidence-based policy supports and biodiversity conservation. Continued efforts are crucial to enhance the monitoring and research activities of CForBio, broaden its thematic networks, and strengthen its capacity in the future.