A technical manual for vegetation monitoring

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Abstract:

Effective monitoring involves a commitment to conducting reliable and systematic measurements and responding to those measurements with appropriate management actions. This can only be achieved if the design of the monitoring project is relevant and scientifically rigorous. Therefore, the purpose of this manual is to equip you with the understanding and skills necessary to design and carry out simple but scientifically rigorous monitoring projects. The manual is primarily intended to be a tool box for ecologists but it is hoped that it will also be used by field managers, private land owners and volunteers. Sections 1–5 are designed to give anybody involved in a monitoring project an overview of the principles and processes of designing monitoring projects. The rest of the manual is intended for trained ecologists so it is written in the technical language of ecologists. Section 2 discusses the Nature Conservation Branch’s Monitoring Program and the protocol that has been developed to standardize the design and implementation of monitoring projects conducted within that program. Section 3 outlines a framework for designing monitoring projects. Sections 4–5 describe two monitoring techniques that can be used by people who are not trained ecologists. Sections 6–14 outline a range of specialized monitoring techniques used by ecologists. Designing a new project requires consideration of the issues covered in the manual. Monitoring projects should be designed by professional ecologists who should also undertake the analysis of the results to ensure that their interpretation leads to the most appropriate management response being recommended. Statistical advice should always be sought once a monitoring question has been determined and the sampling strategy and analysis designed. Trained field assistants and volunteers should be able to set up and undertake some of the field methods described.

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Reference Code: U01BAR04IDUS 

Full Citation: Barker, P. 2001. A technical manual for vegetation monitoring. Resource Management and Conservation, Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment, Hobart, Tasmania. 79 pp.

Location: ELECTRONIC FILE BOTANY: OTHER