Assessing Forest Biodiversity: A Novel Index to Consider Ecosystem, Species, and Genetic Diversity
Rates of biodiversity loss remain high, threatening the life support system upon which all human life depends. In a case study, a novel biodiversity composite index (BCI) in line with the Convention on Biological Diversity is established in Tyrol, Austria, based on available national forest inventor...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Forests |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/14/4/709 |
| _version_ | 1797605444789731328 |
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| author | Jana-Sophie Ette Markus Sallmannshofer Thomas Geburek |
| author_facet | Jana-Sophie Ette Markus Sallmannshofer Thomas Geburek |
| author_sort | Jana-Sophie Ette |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Rates of biodiversity loss remain high, threatening the life support system upon which all human life depends. In a case study, a novel biodiversity composite index (BCI) in line with the Convention on Biological Diversity is established in Tyrol, Austria, based on available national forest inventory and forest typing data. Indicators are referenced by ecological modeling, protected areas, and unmanaged forests using a machine learning approach. Our case study displays an average biodiversity rating of 57% out of 100% for Tyrolean forests. The respective rating for ecosystem diversity is 49%; for genetic diversity, 53%; and for species diversity, 71%. Coniferous forest types are in a more favorable state of preservation than deciduous and mixed forests. The BCI approach is transferable to Central European areas with forest typing. Our objective is to support the conservation of biodiversity and provide guidance to regional forest policy. BCI is useful to set restoration priorities, reach conservation targets, raise effectiveness of financial resources spent on biodiversity conservation, and enhance Sustainable Forest Management. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T05:01:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-76b9db9aff2a424384e6b60368ebae4a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1999-4907 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T05:01:12Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Forests |
| spelling | doaj.art-76b9db9aff2a424384e6b60368ebae4a2023-11-17T19:16:46ZengMDPI AGForests1999-49072023-03-0114470910.3390/f14040709Assessing Forest Biodiversity: A Novel Index to Consider Ecosystem, Species, and Genetic DiversityJana-Sophie Ette0Markus Sallmannshofer1Thomas Geburek2Austrian Research Centre for Forests, Department for Forest Growth, Silviculture, and Genetics, Seckendorff-Gudent Weg 8, 1130 Vienna, AustriaAustrian Research Centre for Forests, Department for Forest Growth, Silviculture, and Genetics, Seckendorff-Gudent Weg 8, 1130 Vienna, AustriaAustrian Research Centre for Forests, Department for Forest Growth, Silviculture, and Genetics, Seckendorff-Gudent Weg 8, 1130 Vienna, AustriaRates of biodiversity loss remain high, threatening the life support system upon which all human life depends. In a case study, a novel biodiversity composite index (BCI) in line with the Convention on Biological Diversity is established in Tyrol, Austria, based on available national forest inventory and forest typing data. Indicators are referenced by ecological modeling, protected areas, and unmanaged forests using a machine learning approach. Our case study displays an average biodiversity rating of 57% out of 100% for Tyrolean forests. The respective rating for ecosystem diversity is 49%; for genetic diversity, 53%; and for species diversity, 71%. Coniferous forest types are in a more favorable state of preservation than deciduous and mixed forests. The BCI approach is transferable to Central European areas with forest typing. Our objective is to support the conservation of biodiversity and provide guidance to regional forest policy. BCI is useful to set restoration priorities, reach conservation targets, raise effectiveness of financial resources spent on biodiversity conservation, and enhance Sustainable Forest Management.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/14/4/709convention on biological diversitynational forest inventorydynamic forest typingmachine learningsustainable forest managementtemperate forests |
| spellingShingle | Jana-Sophie Ette Markus Sallmannshofer Thomas Geburek Assessing Forest Biodiversity: A Novel Index to Consider Ecosystem, Species, and Genetic Diversity Forests convention on biological diversity national forest inventory dynamic forest typing machine learning sustainable forest management temperate forests |
| title | Assessing Forest Biodiversity: A Novel Index to Consider Ecosystem, Species, and Genetic Diversity |
| title_full | Assessing Forest Biodiversity: A Novel Index to Consider Ecosystem, Species, and Genetic Diversity |
| title_fullStr | Assessing Forest Biodiversity: A Novel Index to Consider Ecosystem, Species, and Genetic Diversity |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessing Forest Biodiversity: A Novel Index to Consider Ecosystem, Species, and Genetic Diversity |
| title_short | Assessing Forest Biodiversity: A Novel Index to Consider Ecosystem, Species, and Genetic Diversity |
| title_sort | assessing forest biodiversity a novel index to consider ecosystem species and genetic diversity |
| topic | convention on biological diversity national forest inventory dynamic forest typing machine learning sustainable forest management temperate forests |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/14/4/709 |
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