A review of the assessment of biodiversity in forest ecosystems

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to give a general description and analysis of the key factors important for forest biodiversity, and to show the development of a strategy for choosing an indicator methodology for assessment of forest biodiversity. Different biodiversity indicator schemes (methodologies) have been developed recently and all should be capable of being adapted to the specific objectives of biodiversity assessment and to the forest types concerned. Design/methodology/approach – A forest ecosystem comprises three main components: structure (e.g. physical characteristics); composition (e.g. number and population of species); and function (e.g. evapo-transpiration) and it is upon these characteristics that forest biodiversity is based and determined. Forest ecosystems can therefore be characterised by key factors (parameters) which are important for the development of indicators and evaluation of biodiversity. Findings – The key factors can be grouped or classified according to major ecosystem components and also according to spatial scale (national, regional, landscape and stand level). Selected indicators are the tools that can be used to assess the size/or level and quality of forest biodiversity. Originality/value – Biodiversity key factors and indicators are crucial for studying and monitoring forest biodiversity.