Outline

Biodiversity plots History and DescriptionData collectionResultsBenefits and OutcomesRecommendations

Biodiversity Plots History

Smithsonian Institute Global Climate change monitoring project

Canada representation

Ontario plots on escarpment

Protocol is strict, repeatable and comparable 500 + sites exist worldwide with 104 sites in Canada protocols were created to be long term monitoring projects in

partnerships with communities, educators, researchers and other environmental organizations

Why Monitor?

As the global climate warms we need to observe and record the well-being of many species within their changing habitats

Trees are important sequester carbon and put oxygen back into the atmosphere

Monitoring makes us think critically on how trees will be impacted by climate change, and what trees will survive the changes predicted for 2050 and beyond

Examining how ecosystems function and the role that biodiversity plays within this habitat can allow for anticipated negative impacts to be mitigated (Dallmeier 2000)

Physical Pressures

Increasing Developmentgrade changes, utilities, removal of edge and corridors

Disturbancetrails, vandalism, bmx’ers, encroachment

Climate Changedrought, insect and disease, changing precipitation patterns,

Background

Richard Jones Park woodland, Mississauga, soil shrinking and cracking June 2007

Benares Museum, Mississauga. Grass dieback July 2007

flora

mammals

mammals

Forest activities

Non-motor boating

Wildlife viewing

Fishing

Cross-country skiing

Hiking

Bird watching

Bicycle trails

Guided tours

Historic site visits

Picnics

Programs & talks

Geological site visits

Golf

Data Collection

Students Grade 6 High school

University Undergraduates Graduates (Masters and PhD students)

City Staff Citizen Scientist

Data Collection

Spring and SummerProtocol-basedBase-line (Benchmark date 1990)

Tree information Species Height Dbh Health Location

Data Collection

Web-sharedIncorporated in Climate research AnalysiBase-line Biodiversity information

Current Diameter Class Distribution

Basal Area

Mortality Rates

The Spheres of Benefits

Meet ExpertsTeamwork

Science

Exercise

Geography

Mapping(GIS)

Tree ID(Dendrology)

Communication

Tree Measurements(Mensuration)

Math

Smell Nature

Taste Nature

Fresh Air

Hear Nature Touch Nature

See Nature

Win-Win for ALL!

TeachersStudentsACERResearchers

Environment Canada University Research

Smithsonian InstituteGlobal Climate Change DatabaseCitizens

Recommendations

Data should be kept in one repository and copies kept with partners such as academic institutions

Protocols must be followed to ensure comparability.

Share monitoring reports and data with forest managers such as municipal and conservation managers to help them identify risks to their forests as well as to provide input to assist in watershed management

Sampling for biodiversity needs to be done using more than 5 plots as it does not accurately represent the species count.

Sampling for basal area and stems/hectare using 5 plots was acceptable and yielded comparable results from benchmark data basal area values of the entire 25 quadrats.

Establish plots in additional forested areas to better capture forest change in other forest types as well as at locations with differing future climate change characteristics and impacts.

Need more eyes in the forest….developing citizen scientists is crucial. future climate change characteristics and impacts.