The Terrestrial Ecosystems Biodiversity Monitoring Protocols have been prepared for the Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network by the Biodiversity Science Board’s expert teams and/or individual scientists, or, are endorsed by the Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network.
To provide feedback individual authors should be contacted regarding particular protocols.
EMAN Ecosystem Monitoring Protocols (EMPs) for terrestrial systems have been developed or modified from existing protocols which compliment plot-based monitoring programmes or which can be used on their own for more specific research purposes. Many of these protocols have been implemented in integrated monitoring sites across Canada. These EMPs are based on environmental indicators that identify significant changes in ecosystems so as to trigger and guide the design of future investigation.
The Community-based monitoring protocols are being administered through a partnership between EMAN Coordinating Office, Nature Canada, and the University of Guelph. These protocols are available online via the NatureWatch website.
If you are interested in learning about the status of these programmes or other resources available for terrestrial ecosystems please contact the EMAN office.
| Biodiversity Monitoring Protocols |
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International Tundra Experiment (ITEX)
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ITEX site which provides information on the experiment and details on where to find the ITEX Manual which contains protocols, analysis and assessment methods for monitoring arctic ecology.
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Arthropods
(Terrestrial Ecosystems)
Albert T. Finnamore, Neville N. Winchester & Valerie M. Behan-Pelletier
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Protocols for the sampling of arthropods to enhance ecosystem information. These methods will permit comparison of arthropod datasets collected at different sites, by different workers, for unrelated studies. They do not preclude the use of additional protocols.
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Parasites of Amphibians and Reptiles
Timothy M. Goater and Cameron P. Goater
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These protocols discuss the advantages of studying the parasites of amphibians and reptiles and then go on to provide detailed sampling and quantification procedures.
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Parasites of Birds
J. Daniel McLaughlin
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Protocols describing general techniques used to collect and process endoparasites, ectoparasites and blood parasites in avian hosts.
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Terrestrial Vegetation Biodiversity Monitoring Protocols
P. Roberts-Pichette & Lynn Gillespie
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Protocols for long term plot-based monitoring of plant species diversity. They can be used in conjunction with protocols for monitoring other terrestrial organisms living above or below ground, and for monitoring selected climatic and other abiotic variables.
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| EMAN Ecosystem Monitoring Protocols |
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Plethodontid Salamanders
Paul Zorn, Valerie Blazeski and Brian Craig
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Protocol for standard monitoring of plethodontid salamanders (family Plethodontidae) using artificial cover objects (ACO). This method consists of placing ACOs, such as wooden boards, on the forest floor in a specified pattern and inspecting them periodically for salamanders that seek refuge under them.
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Terrestrial Vegetation Biodiversity Monitoring Protocols
P. Roberts-Pichette & Lynn Gillespie
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Protocols for long term plot-based monitoring of plant species diversity. They can be used in conjunction with protocols for monitoring other terrestrial organisms living above or below ground, and for monitoring selected climatic and other abiotic variables.
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Plant Collections
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Protocols describing the collection and storage of voucher plant species.
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Exotic and invasive plants
Erich Haber
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Protocols guiding the monitoring of exotic and invasive plant species.
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Lichen Abundance and Diversity
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Protocols for the sampling of arboreal lichen species along with methods for the collection and analysis of lichen tissue for organic and metal pollutants. |
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Lichen identification field guide for the Mixed Hardwood Forest
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The "suite" of lichen species selected exhibit a range of tolerances to sulphur dioxide and other air pollutants.(PDF) |
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Lichen identification field guide for the Boreal Forest
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The "suite" of lichen species selected exhibit a range of tolerances to sulphur dioxide and other air pollutants.(PDF) |
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Lichen identification field guide for the West Coast Forest
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The "suite" of lichen species selected exhibit a range of tolerances to sulphur dioxide and other air pollutants.(PDF)
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Tree Health
Tree Health: Data Analysis and Threshold Indicator (pdf)
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Protocols measuring crown condition and stem defects of mature trees.
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Annual Decay Rates
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Protocols monitoring the decay rate in soils
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Annuran Species Richness and Calling Phenology
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Protocols monitoring the presence/absence and abundance of frogs and toads through call identification.
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Worm Species Richness
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Protocols using presence/absence and abundance of worm species as an indicator of soil health. |
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Regeneration and Sapling Survey |
Protocols describing the measurement of the regeneration of seedlings and saplings.
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Plant Phenology
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Protocols to record the flowering times for indicator plant species.
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Downed Woody Debris
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Protocols for recording downed woody debris in terrestrial systems.
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Soil Temperature |
Protocols for recording average daily soil temperature at a single depth.
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Monitoring bird populations in small geographic areas
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A complete resource for anyone planning to organize monitoring of noncolonial landbirds within a relatively small geographic area.
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CANTTEX Field Manual: Part A - Setting up a basic monitoring site
David Bean & Greg Henry, CANTTEX |
This document is designed to provide people and agencies with clear, comprehensive, standardized protocols for setting up and maintaining an ecological monitoring program in northern Canada. The use of these protocols will ensure that information is collected in a scientifically robust manner, and that information from each site will be comparable across. (PDF) |
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CANTEX Field Manual: Part B - Additional Methods and Experimental Manipulation
David Bean, Greg Henry, and Sandra Rolph |
Additional monitoring and experimental manipulations that can be added to a northern ecological monitoring site. (PDF) |
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Global Observation Research Initiative in Alpine Environments (GLORIA) Field Manual |
Guidelines for site selection, setup and documentation of permanent plots, data recording, and data management for large-scale in-situ observations on alpine biota. |
