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A selection of forest condition indicators for monitoring

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Abstract

Regional monitoring and assessments of the health of forested ecosystems require indicators of forest conditions and environmental stresses. Indicator selections depend on objectives and the strategy for data collection and analysis. This paper recommends a set of indicators to signal changes in forest ecosystem distribution, productivity, and disturbance. Additional measurements are recommended to help ascribe those changes to climate variation, atmospheric deposition, and land use patterns. The rationale for these indicators is discussed in the context of a sequential monitoring and assessment strategy.

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Author notes

  1. B. E. Law

    Present address: Department of Forest Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA

  2. R. L. DeVelice

    Present address: The Nature Conservancy, Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, MT, USA

  3. C. J. Palmer

    Present address: Environmental Research Center, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. ManTech Environmental Technology, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA

    K. H. Rutters

  2. National Council of the Paper Industry for Air and Stream Improvement, Corvallis, OR, USA

    B. E. Law

  3. ManTech Environmental Technology, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA

    R. C. Kucera

  4. ManTech Environmental Technology, Corvallis, OR, USA

    A. L. Gallant, R. L. DeVelice & C. J. Palmer

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Rutters, K.H., Law, B.E., Kucera, R.C. et al. A selection of forest condition indicators for monitoring. Environ Monit Assess 20, 21–33 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00396518

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