European Forest Types. Anna Barbati

Transcription

1 Workshop on Pan European understanding of forest classification November, Bled,, Slovenia European Forest Types Testing the operationality of the classification Anna Barbati Italian Academy of Forest Sciences & University of Tuscia

2 possible concerns on the new system of forest types The system shows a considerable potential to improve the quality of information (benefit) but it requires an increased effort of data elaboration (cost) future MCPFE Reports on the State of Europe s Forest 1 < categories <14 vs 3 classes

3 future MCPFE Reports on the State of Europe s Forest the shift to the new system of forest types implies the elaboration of a cross-reference matrix to stratify and process national data (NFIs, etc.), available in different classes than requested, into the proposed categories Cross-reference reference matrix

4 Testing the operationality of the classification In the framework of the COST Action E-43 Harmonisation of National Inventories in Europe: Techniques for Common Reporting correspondents of National Forest Inventories (NFIs) of European countries were asked through a questionnarie to evaluate possibilities of reclassification of national data to the proposed European Forest Types In the context of the Forest Focus projects Forest Biota and Forest BioSoil, both concerned with the operational assessment of forest biodiversity indicators on ICP-Level I and ICP-Level II plots, respectively the classification was applied to stratify ICP plots in order to optimize the reporting of biodiversity indicators

5 COST Action E-43 E Harmonisation of National Inventories in Europe: Techniques for Common Reporting feedbacks

6 20 countries answered the questionnaire Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Norway, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom

7 Existing FTs schemes within NFIs YES NO

8 Parameters are used to classify forest types Number of countries TREE SPECIES SITE TYPE CLIMATIC CONDITIONS, BIOGEOGRAPHICAL REGIONS AND ALTITUDE PHYTOSOCIOLOGICAL COMMUNITIES SOIL CONDITIONS AND FERTILITY MANAGEMENT ECONOMY ADMINISTRATIVE (PROPERTY) AGE 1 2

9 The forest type classification is based on real or potential vegetation? POTENTIAL REAL AND POTENTIAL REAL

10 Can you link your national data to European Forest Type YES NO the shift to the proposed European Forest Types is regarded as feasible for most countries included in the COST E-43 survey

11 Example of cross-reference reference matrix Italy In the ongoing Italian National Forest Inventory about ground plots are classified and stratified according to a national forest types classification based on 20 classes grounded on forest physiognomy; 3 classes correspond to forest plantations

12 Cross-reference reference matrix 14 first level classes (CATEGORIES) second level classes (TYPES) Cross-reference at the type level Italian NFIs forest types

13 EUROPEAN FOREST TYPES ITALIAN NFI FOREST TYPES CATEGORY 3. Alpine coniferous forest 4. Acidophilous oak and oak birch forest 5. Mesophytic deciduos forest TYPE 3.1 Subalpine larch-arolla pine and dwarf pine forests 3.2 Subalpine and montane spruce and montane mixed spruce-fir mixed forests 3.3 Scots pine and Black pine forests 4.1 Acidophilous oak-dominated (Q. petraea, Q. robur) 5.2 Sessile oak-hornbeam forest 5.8 Ravine and slope forest CLASS (code). Dominant species 1. Larch, Arolla 4. Mountain pine 2. Spruce 3. Fir 4. Scots pine 5. Black pine 9. Sessile oak, Peduncolate oak 12. Horn-beam 14. Maple, lime 6. Beech forest 7. Montane beech forest STRATIFICATION OF NFIs plots by categories 6.3 Subatlantic submontane beech forests 7.3 Apennine-Corsican montane beech forests European Forest Types nomenclature + key 8. Beech 8. Beech, fir by field survey plots are assigned to NFI forest types dominant species & basic ecological information

14 EUROPEAN FOREST TYPES ITALIAN NFI FOREST TYPES CATEGORY 8. Thermophilous deciduous forest 9. Broadleaved evergreen forest TYPE 8.1 Downy oak forests 8.2 Turkey oak, Hungarian oak and sessile oak forest 8.5 Macedonian oak forest 8.6 Valonia oak forest 8.7 Chestnut forests 8.9 Other thermophilous deciduous forests 9.1 Mediterranean evergreen oak forest CLASS (code). Dominant species 9. Downy oak 10. Turkey oak, Hungarian oak 10. Macedonian oak 10. Valonia oak 11. Chestnut 12. Hop-hornbeam, Oriental hornbeam 14. Cercis siliquastrum 15. Holm-oak 16. Cork-oak 9.2 Olive-carob forest 9.5 Other sclerophlyllous forests 17. Kermes oak 17. Olive-carob 17. Laurel, holly, yew 10. Coniferous forest of the Mediterranean, Anatolian and Macaronesian regions 10.1 Mediterranean pine forest 10.2 Mediterranean and Anatolian Black pine forest 10.8 Cypress forest 6. Maritime pine 6. Stone pine 6. Aleppo pine 5. Austrian pine 5. Corsican pine 5. Bosnian pine 7. Cypress

15 EUROPEAN FOREST TYPES ITALIAN NFI FOREST TYPES CATEGORY 12. Floodplain forest TYPE 12.1/2 Riparian/fluvial forest CLASS (code). Dominant species 13. Alders 12.1/2 Riparian/fluvial forest 13. Aspen 13. Non-riverine alder, birch or aspen forest 13.4 Southern boreal birch forest 14. Birch ITALY = 11 categories for MCPFE reporting 14.1 Plantation of site-native species 14. Plantatations and self-sown exotic forest 12.1 Riparian forest 12.3 Mediterranean and Macaronesian riparian forest 13.2 Italian Alder forest 14.2 Plantations of not-site-native species and self-sown exotic forest Plantation identification Expert local knowledge Afforestation/reforestation Even-aged structure Regular horizontal pattern Intensive forest management 13. Willow 13. Plane tree 14. Italian alder 19. Plantations of native broadleaves (e.g. cherry, walnut) 20. Plantations of native conifers 14. Self-sown stands of Robinia pseudoacacia, Ailanthus altissima 18. Plantation of Popolus clones 19. Plantations of Eucalyptus 20. Plantations of Pseudotsuga menziesii or Pinus radiata or of other exotic conifers

16 Ideally, the area of forest plantations should be derived from statistically designed forest inventories/surveys which can provide a reliable estimate of afforestated/reforested areas as well as species composition, volume and age class distribution Key 0. Criteria for Category 14. Plantations and self-sown exotic Unfortunately forest and such related information forest types is not always available (number) European refers to countries, explanatory notes and (see in following most cases page). the forest plantation area is based on official statistics (e.g. planted areas reported by planting agencies) and conjecture (over/under-estimation) Plantations or forests of exotic species? (1) Yes No 14. Plantations and selfsown exotic forest Dominant tree types (3) Plantations of site-native species? (2) Yes No 14.1 Plantations of sitenative species 14.2 Plantations of not-sitenative species and self-sown exotic forest Coniferous (go to key 1) Broadleaved deciduos (go to key 2) Broadleaved evergreen (go to key 3) Mixed (go to key 4)

17 14. Plantations and self-sown exotic forest Class definition The class covers forest plantations (sensu MCPFE indicator 4.3) and self-sown stands of exotic species. Forest plantations are stands established by planting or/and seeding in the process of afforestation or reforestation; they are intensively managed stands (e.g. short rotation forestry) that meet all the following criteria: one or two species at plantation, even aged, regular spacing, systematic thinning regimes. Tips for the assesment National checklist of flora In which part of the country a given tree species is regarded as spontaneous and where is introduced? 14.2 Plantation of not-site-native species and self-sown exotic forest Reliable identification of reforested/afforested areas (regional forest maps, national or regional forest services data on planted areas, satellite imagerybased periodical forest cover assessments) + Evidence of plantation-like structure and high intensity of forest management (from NFIs field survey) 14.1 Plantation of site-native species

18 Stratification of ICP Level I and Level II plots by Categories

19 Bio Soil Level I plots Forest Biodiversity Monitoring Extensive network of observation points ~ 6,000 (16 x 16km)

20 Level II plots Forest Biodiversity Monitoring Intensive network of observation points ~ 900

21 Stratification of ICP plots by European Forest Types Data sources - ICP Level I & II databases: tree species composition (dbh data only for Level II) + ecological information of forest site (e.g. climate, elevation, soil type) - General Map of Natural Vegetation of Europe (Bohn et al., 2000) - Atlas Florae Europaeae - European rivers map

22 Natural range of distribution of the tree species Biogeographic region Bohn potential forest type Number of species dominant species ICP level I derived from species frequency ICP level II derived from basal area Climate soil elevation river proximity (buffer 1 km) 12. Floodplain forest

23 General Map of Natural Vegetation of Europe to assess the coherence of forest physignomy with natural vegetation e.g. ICP plots dominated by native conifers falling in areas characterized by a natural dominance of broadleaved or mixed forest, are, for sure, replacement vegetation though not necessarily forest plantations

24 DIGITAL NON GEOREFERENCED DB showing the natural range of distribution of European vascular plants Broad delineation of areas of native occurence of the trees native to Europe Plots dominated by the species falling outside their natural range are assigned to plantations (not-site-native plantation)

25 Classification of ICP Level I plots

26 ICP level I plots by categories

27 The test does not provide exact statistics of the relative frequency of the categories country level (reliably derived only from country NFIs data) but, it gives a reasonable idea of the possible increase in the MCPFE reporting burden; the number of categories at country level is on average 6 and ranges from 1 to 12 Italy: ICP categories = 9 vs NFIs categories = 11

28 ICP Level II database: DB INCREMENT PERIODIC (619/900 plots) COUNTRY PLOT NUMBER YEAR OF ASSESMENT TREE NUMBER SPECIES CODE DBH Dominant tree species identified on basal area

29 ICP Level II plots by categories

30 There is a considerable potential to improve the quality of information collected in ICP monitoring network by applying the proposed categories to stratify ICP plots improved data evaluation, understanding and reporting

31 toanswerconcerns regarding implementation the elaboration of a cross-reference matrix to stratify and process national data (NFIs, etc.) according to Categories is regarded as feasible for many countries the effort required to cross-link national classes greatly depends on the design of the national forest type schemes (e.g. use of potential vs real vegetation; discrimination of forest plantations) Data on MCPFE indicators reported by categories making calculations Cross-reference reference matrix if, with time, the Categories and Types identification will be integrated in NFIs field survey activities

32 Thank you for your attention! Anna Barbati Italian Academy of Forest Sciences & University of Tuscia