Assessing and monitoring forest biodiversity: A suggested framework and indicators

Enlightened forest management requires reliable information on the status a nd condition of each forest - interpreted from a broad context - and of cha nge in forest conditions over time. The process of forest planning must beg in with a clear statement of goals, from which detailed objectives and mana gement plans follow. Goals and objectives for forest management should refl ect the conservation value of a forest relative to other forests of the sam e general type. This paper reviews some recent assessments (with emphasis o n North America), presents a framework for forest assessment and monitoring , and suggests some indicators of biodiversity in forests. Among the broad assessments of forest status and conservation value are a global 'forest fr ontiers' assessment by the World Resources Institute, gap analysis projects that assess the level of representation of forests and other communities i n protected areas, and ecoregion-based conservation assessments conducted b y the World Wildlife Fund. Also important is information on change in fores t area and condition over time. Among the common changes in forests over th e past two centuries are loss of old forests, simplification of forest stru cture, decreasing size of forest patches, increasing isolation of patches, disruption of natural fire regimes, and increased road building, all of whi ch have had negative effects on native biodiversity. These trends can be re versed, or at least slowed, through better management. Progress toward fore st recovery can be measured through the use of ecological indicators that c orrespond to the specific conditions and trends of concern. Although there is a wealth of indicators to choose from, most have been poorly tested and require rigorous validation in order to be interpreted with confidence. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.