Outline Biodiversity plots History and Description Data collection Results Benefits and Outcomes Recommendations

Biodiversity Plots History Smithsonian Institute Global Climate change monitoring project Canada representation Ontario plots on escarpment Protocol is strict, repeatable and comparable  sites exist worldwide with 104 sites in Canada  protocols were created to be long term monitoring projects in partnerships with communities, educators, researchers and other environmental organizations

Why Monitor?  As the global climate warms we need to observe and record the well-being of many species within their changing habitats  Trees are important  sequester carbon and put oxygen back into the atmosphere  Monitoring makes us think critically on how trees will be impacted by climate change, and what trees will survive the changes predicted for 2050 and beyond  Examining how ecosystems function and the role that biodiversity plays within this habitat can allow for anticipated negative impacts to be mitigated (Dallmeier 2000)

Physical Pressures Increasing Development grade changes, utilities, removal of edge and corridors Disturbance trails, vandalism, bmx’ers, encroachment Climate Change drought, insect and disease, changing precipitation patterns,

Background

Richard Jones Park woodland, Mississauga, soil shrinking and cracking June 2007 Benares Museum, Mississauga. Grass dieback July 2007

flora

mammals

Forest activities Non-motor boating Wildlife viewing Fishing Cross-country skiing Hiking Bird watching Bicycle trails Guided tours Historic site visits Picnics Programs & talks Geological site visits Golf

Data Collection Students  Grade 6  High school  University Undergraduates  Graduates (Masters and PhD students)  City Staff  Citizen Scientist

Data Collection Spring and Summer Protocol-based Base-line (Benchmark date 1990)  Tree information  Species  Height  Dbh  Health  Location

Data Collection Web-shared Incorporated in Climate research Analysi Base-line Biodiversity information

Current Diameter Class Distribution

Basal Area

Mortality Rates

The Spheres of Benefits Meet Experts Teamwork Science Exercise Geography Mapping (GIS) Tree ID (Dendrology) Communication Tree Measurements (Mensuration) Math Smell Nature Taste Nature Fresh Air Hear Nature Touch Nature See Nature

Win-Win for ALL! Teachers Students ACER Researchers  Environment Canada  University Research Smithsonian Institute Global Climate Change Database Citizens

Recommendations Data should be kept in one repository and copies kept with partners such as academic institutions Protocols must be followed to ensure comparability. Share monitoring reports and data with forest managers such as municipal and conservation managers to help them identify risks to their forests as well as to provide input to assist in watershed management Sampling for biodiversity needs to be done using more than 5 plots as it does not accurately represent the species count. Sampling for basal area and stems/hectare using 5 plots was acceptable and yielded comparable results from benchmark data basal area values of the entire 25 quadrats. Establish plots in additional forested areas to better capture forest change in other forest types as well as at locations with differing future climate change characteristics and impacts. Need more eyes in the forest….developing citizen scientists is crucial. future climate change characteristics and impacts.