The demand for comparable, long-term, high quality data on forest ecosystems' status and changes is increasing at the international and global level. Yet, sources for such data are limited and in many case it is not possible to compare data from different monitoring initiatives across space and time because of methodological differences. Apart from technical manuals, there is no comprehensive multidisciplinary, scientific, peer-reviewed reference for forest monitoring methods that can serve and support the user community. This book provides in a single reference the state-of-the-art of monitoring methods as applied at the international level.The book present scientific concepts and methods that form the basis of the transnational, long-term forest monitoring in Europe and looks at other initiatives at the global level. Standardized methods that have been developed over two decades in international forest monitoring projects are presented. Emphasis is put on trans-nationally harmonized methods, related data quality issues, current achievements and on remaining open questions. - A comprehensive overview of needs, requirements, organization and possible outcomes of an integrated monitoring program - Tested and quality assured, internationally harmonized methodologies based on a complete revision of existing methods carried out in 2009-2011 - Connection with monitoring results allows assessment of the potential of the monitoring method

The assessment and evaluation of tree condition and vitality is an essential part of the ICP Forests monitoring programme. Due to the complex structure of forest ecosystems, a number of different indicators of tree condition are adopted. In this chapter, they are described also in terms of their ecological relevance. Special emphasis is laid on biotic agents affecting forest ecosystems and explaining tree responses to stressors. For operational reasons, definitions and recommendations for the use of the indicators are given. Tree condition assessment in forest monitoring is closely linked to field measures of Quality Assurance and Control. Examples of results show that the methods currently used in tree condition monitoring are sensitive to detect the effects of climate change on forests and identifying main spatial and temporal patterns and damaging agents.

Among the elements of forest biodiversity, vegetation, including epiphytes, is the foundation of ecosystem functioning and primary production. Basic features for harmonized large-scale and intensive monitoring of vascular plants, cryptogams, and epiphytic lichens are presented. For the assessment of ground vegetation on the European scale, a minimum, single-scale approach (with a common sampling area of 400-m2) is suggested to produce sets of presence–absence and relative cover data. This common frame can accommodate national designs. For epiphytic lichens, sampling follows a standard procedure for tree selection after stratification by bark type. On each tree, four vertical grids of five 10×10cm contiguous quadrates are used to record the species occurrence. Monitoring parameters and timing of surveys, transformation of different abundance scales, and the need for continuously updated nomenclature are also discussed. Examples of transnational results (e.g., functional groups for both lichen and vascular plants and nitrogen deposition) are presented which demonstrate the importance and value of harmonized monitoring data.

There is ample evidence that current concentrations of tropospheric ozone (O3) cause negative effects on plants. The present chapter describes a systematic and statistical sound way of monitoring visible injury at the European intensive monitoring plots that may allow detecting spatial and temporal trends on a national or transnational scale. The extended database of monitoring data from different forest ecosystems in more than 15 European countries and covering the past 10 years provides a solid basis for O3 risk assessment. In combination with the current assessment of O3 visible injury on forest plants that are grown under natural field conditions, further, long-term studies of physiological measurements are needed to gain a better understanding of the complex interactions between plants and atmosphere, in particular, when considering climate change that may alter the risk of O3 for our forests.

Covering recent developments in satellite observation data undertaken for monitoring forest areas from global to national levels, this book highlights operational tools and systems for monitoring forest ecosystems. It also tackles the technical issues surrounding the ability to produce accurate and consistent estimates of forest area changes, which are needed to report greenhouse gas emissions and removals from land use changes. Written by leading global experts in the field, this book offers a launch point for future advances in satellite-based monitoring of global forest resources. It gives readers a deeper understanding of monitoring methods and shows how state-of-art technologies may soon provide key data for creating more balanced policies.

The importance of translating the results of forest monitoring into useful commodities (i.e., data, information, knowledge, and wisdom) is discussed. The need for an effective communications strategy is stressed, following well-established reporting principles. Reporting may involve a range of communications specialists as well as those who collect the data, and scientists who analyze and interpret it. It is vital that the type of report is tailored to the needs of particular audiences, be they scientists or modelers, policy and/or decision makers. Monitoring platforms need to be increasingly aware of new opportunities for the data and information they generate. The internet is now enabling quicker and global reporting of monitoring outputs but also promoting two-way communication between user and consumer. A political movement to promote open access to all forms of monitoring data is gaining ground and some international and European regulations are already affecting the way forest monitoring outputs are placed in the public domain.

Chemical foliar analyses are a widely used tool to obtain information on the nutritional status of forests and effects of stress factors such as atmospheric deposition. Harmonized methods for field sampling, laboratory analysis, and data treatment as well as stringent Quality Assurance and Quality Control are essential to provide reliable results, especially when data collection is carried out at the large scale and on the long term. Based on the experience gained within the ICP Forests, this chapter gives practical advice on how, where, and when to sample tree foliage. It further covers methodologies for sample transport, storage, and preparation and gives advice on treatment and analysis of the samples in the laboratory. Examples of 20 years’ experience in foliar analysis in the context of the ICP Forests monitoring program show the potential and relevance of the methods presented.