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Responsible institution:
Universidade Regional de Blumenau (FURB)
Coordinator:
Professor Dr. Alexander Christian Vibrans
Goal:
To evaluate species composition, structure, and forest dynamics. Field data are obtained by means of a systematic and continuous inventory in permanent sample plots distributed in the entire state.
The IFFSC's methodology is compatible with the Brazilian National Forest Inventory (NFI-Brazil), although it was adapted to Santa Catarina's specific needs.
The inventory is based on a multiple occasion systematic sampling, repeated every five years, aimed to provide information about forest conservation and forest cover changes over time.
"Forest" was defined according to the FAO (2009)*: land with a minimum area of 0.5 ha, with trees with height > 5 m, and with crown cover ≥ 10%.
Data are gathered in 1074 ground sample plots located at the intersections of a 10 × 10 km grid that covers the entire state; it is compatible with the 20 × 20 km grid used by the NFI-Brazil. For the highly fragmented Semi-deciduous Forest, a 5 km × 5 km grid was employed to guarantee a sufficient sample size to generate estimates of species richness and forest attributes.
Trees Outside Forest
Trees Outside Forest
The survey of "trees outside forest" was performed through 148 sample plots of a 20 × 20 km grid. These sample plots were defined as non-forest plots through forest cover maps from the years 2005 and 2008 (SAR, 2005; PPMA, 2008).
Land use classes were registered within these sample plots (50 were installed in early-succession forests, 34 in forest plantations, and 64 in agriculture, grassland or urban areas).
Epiphytes
Epiphytes
Epiphytes are plants that grow on others, but without taking of them any nutrient (e.g., orchids, bromeliads, ferns). Plants that take nutrients are called parasites, such as "erva-de-passarinho" (Struthanthus sp.).
An independent survey of vascular epiphytes was conducted in the Evergreen Rainforest. For this, 33 samples plots located in forests with greater conservation status were selected. From the center of these samples plots, an area with radius of 80 m was defined. In each of these circular areas, field crew members climbed on up to eight trees per site (phorophytes); all fertile vascular epiphytes were collected. In addition, the collection of epiphytes on the ground or in fallen tree branches was conducted.
Summing up:
Summing up:
The IFFSC's sample plots have different purposes:
556 sample plots are evaluated only through Remote Sensing: they are used to define and quantify land use through interpretation of satellite images;
430 regular sample plots: field evaluation of well-developed forests (i.e., intermediate and advanced succession stages); from these sample plots, 370 belong to the 10 x 10 km grid and 60 to the 5 x 5 km grid. A survey of vascular epiphytes was carried in 33 sample plots of the 10 x 10 km grid located in the Evergreen Rainforest;
148 sample plots "outside of forest": they were installed in different land uses, including early-aged forests, forest plantations, pastures, and agricultural areas with scattered trees;
19 complementary plots: they were located in supposedly well-conserved public or private forests outside the systematic grids.
The sample plot used by the IFFSC is a cluster with total area of 4,000 m² (0.4 ha); it is composed of four subplots, each with 1,000 m² (20 × 50 m), located at a distance of 30 m from the sample plot’s center and oriented toward the four cardinal directions (North, South, East, and West). The figure below shows the current layout of the cluster.
Note:
Below it is presented the updated and definitive measurement thresholds for each vegetation component; they come from methodological adjustments made after the first publications.
Criteria for inclusion on the sample plot
Criteria for inclusion on the sample plot
Tree/Shrub: dbh ≥ 10 cm and height ≥ 1.3 m;
Regeneration: dbh < 10 cm and height ≥ 1.3 m;
Herbaceous: dominant herbaceous species on the subplot;
Deadwood: dead branches and trunks with diameter > 2.5 cm that intercept the two transects on the sample plot's center.
*FAO. 2009. National Forest Monitoring and Assessment – Manual for integrated field data collection. NFMA Paper37/N. Roma. FAO.
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