Skip to main content
WCS
Menu
Library
Library Catalog
eJournals & eBooks
WCS Research
Archives
Research Use
Finding Aids
Digital Collections
WCS History
WCS Research
Research Publications
Science Data
Services for WCS Researchers
Archives Shop
Bronx Zoo
Department of Tropical Research
Browse By Product
About Us
FAQs
Intern or Volunteer
Staff
Donate
Search WCS.org
Search
search
Popular Search Terms
WCS History
Library and Archives
Library and Archives Menu
Library
Archives
WCS Research
Archives Shop
About Us
Donate
en
fr
Title
A standardized procedure for surveillance and monitoring European habitats and provision of spatial data
Author(s)
Bunce R.G.H., Metzger M.J., Jongman R.H.G., Brandt J., De Blust G., Elena-Rossello R., Groom G.B., Halada L., Hofer G., Howard D.C., Kovar P., Mucher C.A., Padoa-Schioppa E., Paelinx D., Palo A., Perez-Soba M., Ramos I.L., Roche P., Skanes H., Wrbka T.
Published
2008
Publisher
Landscape Ecology
Published Version DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-007-9173-8
Abstract
Both science and policy require a practical, transmissible, and reproducible procedure for surveillance and monitoring of European habitats, which can produce statistics integrated at the landscape level. Over the last 30 years, landscape ecology has developed rapidly, and many studies now require spatial data on habitats. Without rigorous rules, changes from baseline records cannot be separated reliably from background noise. A procedure is described that satisfies these requirements and can provide consistent data for Europe, to support a range of policy initiatives and scientific projects. The methodology is based on classical plant life forms, used in biogeography since the nineteenth century, and on their statistical correlation with the primary environmental gradient. Further categories can therefore be identified for other continents to assist large scale comparisons and modelling. The model has been validated statistically and the recording procedure tested in the field throughout Europe. A total of 130 General Habitat Categories (GHCs) is defined. These are enhanced by recording environmental, site and management qualifiers to enable flexible database interrogation. The same categories are applied to areal, linear and point features to assist recording and subsequent interpretation at the landscape level. The distribution and change of landscape ecological parameters, such as connectivity and fragmentation, can then be derived and their significance interpreted. © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
Keywords
biodiversity; biogeography; connectivity; environmental monitoring; field method; fragmentation; habitat management; habitat type; landscape ecology; model validation; nineteenth century; plant; sampling; spatial data; standardization; Eurasia; Europe
Access Full Text
A full-text copy of this article may be available. Please email the
WCS Library
to request.
Back
PUB12057