Monitoring dynamic dunes

state of the art

monitoring biotic changes

Hubert Kivit

Considerations

• Large-scale dynamics leads to changes on landscape level

Developments unpredictable

• Define unambiguous and measurable targets (not easy!)

– name them expectations instead of targets

• Where existing vegetation will not be destroyed, start monitoring the

situation before the intervention

• Integrate abiotic and biotic measurements, e.g. along transects

• Plan evaluation

What to measure?

• Target & process indicator plant species

• Species groups

• Landscape pictures

• Vegetation structure map

• Vegetation map -> Habitats

• Vegetation relevés (permanent quadrats)

• Target & process indicator plant

species (€ 500/km2)

• use a (ha)grid to standardize time spent

and area coverage

• if short in time, monitor grid cells on

gradiënts or make random selection

• use tablet with e.g. Locus mapping app for

oriëntation

• in most dynamic parts start on a yearly

basis

• monitor recurrence of remnants of former

vegetation (e.g. Ammophila, Rubus

caesius, Populus)

How to measure (1)

How to measure (2)

– Species groups

• use methods according to Non-governmental data managing organisations

(PGO’s)

• choose species groups, depending on budget, volunteers & current

monitoring

– plants (Tansley relevés)

– birds

– butterflies, dragonflies, mushrooms etc.

– thermophilous insects

Monitoring Thermophilous

fauna NW Nature Core

– target groups: bees, wasps, ants, carabid

beetles

– methods:

• pitfalls (terrestrial species)

• malaise traps (flying species)

• water boards (flower visitors)

• sightings along fixed route (from trap to trap)

– 2008, 2015

– needs specialist!

– Labour intensive: € 12000

Total monitoring budget (incl. abiotics) 3%

How to measure (3)

• Vegetation structure (€ 500/km2)

– aerial (IR-) images

– drones or existing photo’s

• vegetation map -> habitats

(€ 8000/km2)

– national standard under

construction

How to measure (4)

• vegetation relevés (permanent quadrats) (€ 1000/10 rel.)

– to follow subtle changes in vegetation (and soil)

– combine with abiotic monitoring

– use a 10 cm accurate GPS

– also install reference transects

How to measure (5)

• Landscape pictures: (panoramic) photo’s at fixed points & fixed date

The finishing touch

• Evaluate & dissiminate

– with English summary

– spread through international repository