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Forest
Biodiversity Monitoring Plots
From 1987 to 1991, the Smithsonian Institute's
Monitoring and Assessment of Biodiversity (SI/MAB) Program
(formerly named the Smithsonian Institute Man and Biosphere
Program) developed and tested methods for establishing permanent
forest biodiversity plots in the tropics.
The Ecological
Monitoring and Assessment Network (EMAN) of Environment
Canada adopted these methods for use in Canadian forests.
Since 1996, the ONE Monitoring Program has established forest
biodiversity plots along the Escarpment using this protocol.
These plots are part of a network of over 300 sites worldwide
that can provide information on:
tree species abundance and diversity
long-term trends in forest growth, mortality and regeneration
the impact of disturbance
Control and Pressure Plots
Relatively undisturbed (control) plots are located
in areas of the Escarpment within the "Escarpment Natural"
designation of the Niagara Escarpment Plan, where development
is most restricted. Control plots are intended to be paired
with a disturbed (pressure) site for determining the impact
of human disturbance on Escarpment ecosystems. Both control
and pressure plots are monitored once every five years for
changes in forest biodiversity, growth and dynamics.
Site
Selection
Sites for locating forest biodiversity plots
along the Escarpment are selected based on criteria
defined in the Phase III of the Niagara Escarpment
Cumulative Effects Monitoring Project (Geomatics
International Inc., 1997).
Plot Locations
Five one hectare control plots have been established
through the ONE Monitoring Program. Additional plots along
the Escarpment have been set up and monitored by organizations
such as the Credit Valley Conservation Authority, Environment
Hamilton, Association for Canadian Educational Resources (ACER),
Wiarton Outdoor Education Centre, Royal Botanical Gardens
and Bruce Peninsula National Park. Some of these plots have
been established as education tools, rather than for research
purposes, to create demonstrations sites where students can
learn how to monitor biodiversity. Some organizations have
adopted a 20m x 20m standard plot size, in place of the more
work-intensive one hectare plot size.
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