Spatially explicit database of tree related microhabitats (TreMs)

Andreas Schuck; Daniel Kraus; Peter Bebi; Markus Blaschke; Rita Bütler; Martin Flade; Wilfried Heintz; Frank Krumm; Thibault Lachat; Laurent Larrieu; Lenka Lehnerova; Martin Levin; Ulrich Mergner; Maciej Pach; Yoan Paillet; Patrick Pyttel; Tomas Rydkvist; Giovanni Santopuoli; Kristina Sever; Knut Sturm; Kris Vandekerkhove; Susanne Winter; Manfred Witz; Martin Winnock; Matteo Marcandella; Isabelle Roth; Armin Jakob; Reiner Dickele; Gerhard Hofmann; Dirk Ruis-Eckhardt; Stephan Boschen; Uwe Schölmerich; Bertram Leder; Martin Guericke; Hubert Merkel; Dagmar Löffler; Stephan Schusser; Monika Runkel; Alexandra Steinmetz; Karl Heinz Marx; Andre Mongelluzzi; Florian Wilshusen; Jean-Jacques Boutteaux; Loic Duchamp; Nicolas Dericbourg; Emmanuel Rouyer; Valeria Csikos; Ken Sweeny; Daniel Steichen; Michel Leytem; Stefan Konczal; Krzysztof Stereńczak; Marko Kazimirovic; Vladimír Šebeň; Teresa Baiges Zapater; Marieke van der Maaten-Theunissen; Andreas Pommer; Thomas Nord-Larsen; Marc Fuhr; Luc-Olivier Delebeque; Lidón Martínez Navarro; David Lasala

doi:10.15468/ocof3v

Spatially explicit database of tree related microhabitats (TreMs)

Citation

Schuck A, Kraus D, Bebi P, Blaschke M, Bütler R, Flade M, Heintz W, Krumm F, Lachat T, Larrieu L, Lehnerova L, Levin M, Mergner U, Pach M, Paillet Y, Pyttel P, Rydkvist T, Santopuoli G, Sever K, Sturm K, Vandekerkhove K, Winter S, Witz M, Winnock M, Marcandella M, Roth I, Jakob A, Dickele R, Hofmann G, Ruis-Eckhardt D, Boschen S, Schölmerich U, Leder B, Guericke M, Merkel H, Löffler D, Schusser S, Runkel M, Steinmetz A, Marx K H, Mongelluzzi A, Wilshusen F, Boutteaux J, Duchamp L, Dericbourg N, Rouyer E, Csikos V, Sweeny K, Steichen D, Leytem M, Konczal S, Stereńczak K, Kazimirovic M, Šebeň V, Baiges Zapater T, van der Maaten-Theunissen M, Pommer A, Nord-Larsen T, Fuhr M, Delebeque L, Navarro L M, Lasala D, Zudin S (2021). Spatially explicit database of tree related microhabitats (TreMs). Version 1.10. Institut national de recherche pour l’agriculture, l’alimentation et l’environnement (INRAE). Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/ocof3v accessed via GBIF.org on 2021-03-05.

Description

‘Tree – tree’ interactions are important structuring mechanisms for forest community dynamics. Forest management takes advantage of competition effects on tree growth by removing or retaining trees to achieve management goals. Both competition and silviculture have thus a strong effect on density and distribution of tree related microhabitats (TreMs) which are key features for forest taxa at the stand scale (e.g. Bouget et al. 2013, 2014). In particular, spatially explicit data to understand patterns and mechanisms of TreM formation in forest stands are rare. To train and eventually improve decision making capacities related to the integration of biodiversity aspects into forest management to date more than 100 usually 1 ha (100 m x 100m) permanent plots were established in different forest communities of Europe. Due to their demonstration character the selection of plots was non-systematic. They do, however, cover a broad range of forest types (e.g. beech-oak, beech-fir (-spruce), oak-hornbeam, pine-spruce, etc.), altitudinal gradients (from 25 m – 1850 m) and site conditions (e.g. oligotrophic Luzulo-Fagetum or Vaccinio-Pinetum to mesotrophic Galio-Fagetum or Milio-Fagetum). For each plot the following data is collected: (1) tree location as polar coordinates (stem base map), (2) tree species, (3) forest mensuration data (dbh in [cm], tree height in [m]), (4) tree related microhabitats (TreMs) and (5) tree status (living or standing dead). In addition to the spatial dendrometric data we provide information on plot establishment, forest type, plot location (state, region, country), elevation, means for annual precipitation and temperature, and the natural forest community (Kraus et al., 2018).

Purpose

The demonstration plots were/are being established in the course of the projects Integrate+, Informar and FoReSite. Focus is given on showing good practice examples of integrative forest management concepts. The plots are designed following the marteloscope approach which allows to perform virtual tree selection exercises based on different scenarios and forest management strategies. Immediate feedback on decisions is given in terms of ecological and economic impacts with the help of a software that runs on hand held devises. Particular attention is given to tree related microhabitats as these structures are home to many, also endangered species. Retaining and restoring such habitats in managed forests can be well integrated into the work portfolio of forest managers and thus be a direct contribution to biodiversity conservation in managed forests. TreM recording and the development of the tree microhabitat field catalogue aims at providing individual habitat values for each tree to make harvesting impacts visible in the course of training exercises (Krumm et al, 2019). The plots and the corresponding data themselves proved also a valuable resource for different research questions. In particular, the database with the spatially explicit information on trees and TreMs can support e.g. our understanding of TreM formation and development and their spatial distribution.

Sampling Description

Study Extent

Plots were established based on interest to participate resulting in now more than 100 plots. They are mainly located in public and community forests, but also in forests owned by the church or private owners. They were selected by the forest owners based on either site availability or representing a particular forest management type (no systematic selection). Also the number of plots differs widely between countries e.g. from one to more than 35.

Sampling

Tree location: polar coordinates Tree species: scientific name (Note: tree species was also recorded for standing dead trees as far as possible; in the case of late decay stages or stands with a wide variety of trees species this was not done. The tree species was then recorded as “0”). Diameter breast height (dbh): in [cm] at 1.3 meters height Tree height: in [m] Tree related microhabitats: 64 saproxylic and epixylic tree related microhabitat types are defined and described in detail within a hierarchical structure (published as a field guide; see: quality control for reference).

Quality Control

Set-up of Marteloscope and data collection: Schuck, A., Krumm, F., Kraus, D., 2015. Integrate+ Marteloscopes - Description of parameters and assessment procedures. Integrate+ Technical Paper No. 18. 16 p. Tree related microhabitat assessment field guide: Kraus, D., Bütler, R., Krumm, F., Lachat, T., Larrieu, L., Mergner, U., Paillet, Y., Rydkvist, T., Schuck, A., and Winter, S., 2016. Catalogue of tree microhabitats – Reference field list. Integrate+ Technical Paper 13. 16 p. The catalogue of tree microhabitats is available in 17 languages: Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Farsi, Finnish, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, North Macedonian, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovenian, Spanish, Turkish and Ukrainian (http://iplus.efi.int/documentation.html)

Method steps

Plot selection: The permanent plots are selected non-systematically based on criteria, such as representative silvicultural systems for a region, accessibility or the availability of TreMs. Further plot selection was limited also by availability of forest stands which could ensure that tree removals would not take place within the next 5 to 10 years. Plot establishment: The plots are usually 1 hectare in size (100 m x 100 m) and of rectangular shape. Some of them, however, deviate in size and outline due to local site conditions, availability of resources or high tree numbers. Our standard approach is to divide the plot into 4 quadrants to facilitate orientation and the use of data subsets. All corners and centre points (incl. the centre points of each quadrant) are permanently marked. All trees with more than 7 cm diameter measured at breast height (dbh 1.30 m) are recorded and numbered. Data collection: All standing living and dead trees are recorded above a dbh of 7 cm. So is the species, spatial position, tree height and crown base height and the abundance of TreMs. Height measurements can e.g. be conducted with a digital hypsometer (VERTEX IV, Haglöf, Sweden), dbh usually with a measuring tape. Tree locations are determined e.g. by using a compass and the distance function of the Vertex digital hypsometer as a standard. In some plots the measurements were/are carried out using a specialized inventory software (Fieldmap, Czech Republic). In other plots tree coordinates were recorded using a GPS Trimble Geo7x. Note that a few trees with a dbh above 7 cm miss coordinates. They are still made available in this dataset to ensure completeness of all trees in the plots. Coordinates for those trees are labelled N/A. TreM recording in the field is based on the catalogue of tree microhabitats (see also quality control).

Additional info

In addition to the information provided in this dataset the following data are collected in the plots. Crown base height (cbh) in [m]. Further a visual assessment of timber quality classes is performed in order to be able to provide rough estimates of a trees' economic value (market price). Timber quality classes used are ‘veneer' (A - quality); ‘sawnwood’ (B - quality), ‘sawnwood’ (C – quality), ‘industrial timber’ (IT or D - quality) and ‘fuelwood’ / ‘energy wood’ (F – quality). The volume of each section is calculated based on standard calculation methods differentiated by tree species (form indices or specific tapering values are applied). Timber market prices for each quality class are provided by local forest managers at the time of data collection. As timber market prices fluctuate the economic value of a tree (in local currencies) represents only a rough indicator. In a few plots spatial information on coarse woody debris (diameter above 10 cm at the smaller end) was collected. Snags and standing deadwood are included in the main dataset but stumps and downed logs were measured only in these selected plots. For both stumps and logs the following information was recorded: (1) object (stump, log, root plate, crown); (2) polar coordinates plus orientation for logs (azimuth); (3) height and diameter (for stumps) or diameters at both ends (d1, d2) and length in [m] (for logs); (4) decay class and (5) actual tree species or if not possible conifers/broadleaves.

Taxonomic Coverages

Included are all tree species that occurred at least once in any of the plots.

Fagus sylvatica
common name: Common beech rank: species
Fagus orientalis
common name: Oriental beech rank: species
Quercus robur
common name: Pedunculate oak rank: species
Quercus petraea
common name: Sessile oak rank: species
Quercus pubescens
common name: Downy oak rank: species
Quercus rubra
common name: Champion oak rank: species
Picea abies
common name: Norway spruce rank: species
Pinus sylvatica
common name: Scots pine rank: species
Pinus nigra
common name: Black pine rank: species
Pinus cembra
common name: Swiss stone pine rank: species
Pinus mugo
common name: Swiss mountain pine rank: species
Abies alba
common name: Silver fir rank: species
Acer platanoides
common name: Norway maple rank: species
Acer pseudoplatanus
common name: Sycamore maple rank: species
Acer campestre
common name: Field maple rank: species
Fraxinus excelsior
common name: Common ash rank: species
Carpinus betulus
common name: Hornbeam rank: species
Tilia cordata
common name: Small-leaved lime rank: species
Tilia platyphylla
common name: Large-leaved lime rank: species
Ulmus glabra
common name: Scots elm rank: species
Larix decidua
common name: European larch rank: species
Betula pendula
common name: Silver birch rank: species
Betula pubescens
common name: Downy birch rank: species
Populus tremula
common name: Common aspen rank: species
Prunus avium
common name: Wild cherry rank: species
Prunus padus
common name: Bird cherry rank: species
Alnus glutinosa
common name: Common alder rank: species
Sorbus torminalis
common name: Wild service tree rank: species
Sorbus domestica
common name: True service tree rank: species
Sorbus aucuparia
common name: Rowan rank: species
Sorbus aria
common name: Common whitebeam rank: species
Taxus baccata
common name: European yew rank: species
Salix caprea
common name: Goat willow rank: species
Corylus avellana
common name: Common hazel rank: species
Pseudotsuga menziesii
common name: Douglas fir rank: species
Quercus cerris
common name: Turkey oak rank: species
Acer opalus
common name: Italian maple rank: species
Acer lobelii
common name: Lobel's maple rank: species
Ulmus minor
common name: Field elm rank: species
Ulmus laevis
common name: European white elm rank: species
Crateagus monogyna
common name: Common hawthorn rank: species
Prunus serotina
common name: Black cherry rank: species
Abies grandis
common name: Grand fir rank: species
Acer tataricum
common name: Tatar maple rank: species
Aesculus hippocastanum
common name: Horse chestnut rank: species
Alnus incana
common name: Grey alder rank: species
Castanea sativa
common name: Sweet chestnut rank: species
Cornus mas
common name: Cornelian cherry rank: species
Corylus maxima
common name: Large filbert rank: species
Frangula alnus
common name: Alder buckthorn rank: species
Fraxinus ornus
common name: Manna ash rank: species
Ilex aquifolium
common name: Holly rank: species
Juglans regia
common name: Common wa rank: species
Larix kaempferi
common name: Japanese larch rank: species
Malus sylvestris
common name: European crab apple rank: species
Ostrya carpinifolia
common name: European hop-hornbeam rank: species
Paulownia tomentosa
common name: Princess tree rank: species
Picea sitchensis
common name: Sitka spruce rank: species
Pinus strobus
common name: Eastern white pine rank: species
Prunus spinosa
common name: Blackthorn rank: species
Quercus faginea
common name: Portuguese oak rank: species
Quercus frainetto
common name: Hungarian oak rank: species
Robinia pseudoacacia
common name: Black locust rank: species
Sambucus nigra
common name: Black elder rank: species
Tilia tomentosa
common name: Silver lime rank: species
Tsuga heterophylla
common name: Western hemlock rank: species
Ulmus canescens
common name: Grey elm rank: species

Geographic Coverages

Europe: Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland. The network of marteloscopes continues to grow due to an ongoing interest of institutions from Europe but also other world regions. A few plots in this database are located in Chile and Iran.

Bibliographic Citations

Kraus, D., Bütler, R., Krumm, F., Lachat, T., Larrieu, L., Mergner, U., Paillet, Y., Rydkvist, T., Schuck, A., and Winter, S., 2016. Catalogue of tree microhabitats – Reference field list. Integrate+ Technical Paper 13. 16 p. Larrieu, L., Paillet, Y, Winter, S., Bütler, R., Kraus, D., Krumm, F, Lachat, T, Michel, A., Regnery, B., Vandekerkhove, K. 2018. Tree related microhabitats in temperate and Mediterranean European forests: A hierarchical typology for inventory standardization. Ecological Indicators 84: 194–207 Kraus, D., Schuck, A., Krumm, F., Bütler, R., Cosyns, H., Courbaud, B., Larrieu, L., Mergner, U., Pyttel, P., Varis, S., Wilhelm, G., Witz, M., Zenner, E. and Zudin, S., 2018. Seeing is building better understanding - the Integrate+ Marteloscopes. Integrate+ Technical Report. Marteloscopes (2018) 26:3 Krumm, F., Lachat T., Schuck, A., Bütler, R., Kraus, D., 2019. Marteloskope als Trainingstools zur Förderung und Erhaltung von Habitatbäumen im Wald. Schweizerische Z. Forstwes. 170 (2019) 2: 86-93. -

Contacts

Andreas Schuck
originator
position: Senior Researcher
European Forest Institute
DE
Telephone: +49 (0) 173 6293092
email: andreas.schuck@efi.int
homepage: http://www.efi.int

Daniel Kraus
originator
position: Senior Researcher
Chair of Silviculture, University of Freiburg
DE
Telephone: +49 (0) 170 335 7838
email: daniel.kraus@waldbau.uni-freiburg.de

Peter Bebi
originator
position: Team Leader
Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research
CH

Markus Blaschke
originator
position: Senior Researcher
Bayerische Landesanstalt für Wald und Forstwirtschaft
DE

Rita Bütler
originator
position: Head of Forest Biodiversity (Canton of Vaud)
Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research
CH

Martin Flade
originator
position: Section Head
Landesamt für Umwelt Brandenburg
DE

Wilfried Heintz
originator
position: Data Manager
INRAE
FR

Frank Krumm
originator
position: Senior Researcher
Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research
CH

Thibault Lachat
originator
position: Professor
Bern University of Applied Sciences, School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences
CH

Laurent Larrieu
originator
position: Senior Researcher
INRAE
FR

Lenka Lehnerova
originator
position: Team Leader
Ústav pro hospodářskou úpravu lesů, Brandýs nad Labem
CZ

Martin Levin
originator
position: Forest Manager (Former Head)
City Forest of Göttingen
DE

Ulrich Mergner
originator
position: Forest Manager (Head)
Bavarian State Forest Enterprise Ebrach
DE

Maciej Pach
originator
position: Senior Researcher
Department of Silviculture, University of Agriculture
PL

Yoan Paillet
originator
position: Senior Researcher
INRAE
FR

Patrick Pyttel
originator
position: Assistant Professor (until 2019)
Chair of Silviculture, University of Freiburg
DE

Tomas Rydkvist
originator
position: Nature Conservation Specialist (retired)
SCA SKOG AB
SE

Giovanni Santopuoli
originator
position: Senior Researcher
Università degli Studi del Molise
IT

Kristina Sever
originator
position: Researcher
Slovenia Forestry Institute
SI

Knut Sturm
originator
position: Forest Manager (Head)
City Forest of Lübeck
DE

Kris Vandekerkhove
originator
position: Senior Researcher
Research Institute for Nature and Forest
BE

Susanne Winter
originator
position: Head Forest Division
WWF World Wide Fund for Nature Germany
DE

Manfred Witz
originator
position: Silviculture Trainer
Landesforsten Rheinland-Pfalz
DE

Martin Winnock
originator
position: Field Course Trainer
Inverde
BE

Matteo Marcandella
originator
position: Student (Forestry and Natural Environment Management)
Haute École Provinciale de Hainaut - Condorcet
BE

Isabelle Roth
originator
position: Deputy Director / Head Nature Conservation
Stiftung Wildnispark Zürich
CH

Armin Jakob
originator
position: Ref. 85 - Waldbau und Forsteinrichtung
Regierungspräsidium Freiburg
DE

Reiner Dickele
originator
position: Forest Manager
Forest District Kandern
DE

Gerhard Hofmann
originator
position: Forest Manager
Forest District Wachenroth
DE

Dirk Ruis-Eckhardt
originator
position: Forest Manager
City Forest Bensheim
DE

Stephan Boschen
originator
position: Forest Manager (Head)
Gut Hohenhaus – Gutsverwaltung
DE

Uwe Schölmerich
originator
position: Forest Manager (Head)
Wald und Holz NRW - State Forest Enterprise Rhein-Sieg-Erft
DE

Bertram Leder
originator
position: Director
Wald und Holz NRW – SP Waldbau und Forstvermehrungsgut; Lehr- und Versuchsforstamt Arnsberger Wald
DE

Martin Guericke
originator
position: Professor
Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development
DE

Hubert Merkel
originator
position: Professor
Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaft und Kunst - Fakultät Ressourcenmanagement
DE

Dagmar Löffler
originator
position: Forest Manager (Head)
HessenForst, Forstamt Wolfhagen

Stephan Schusser
originator
position: Forest Manager (Head)
Sachsenforst - Forest District Eibenstock
DE

Monika Runkel
originator
position: Forest Manager (Head)
WaldRLP - Forstamt Hachenburg Forstliches Bildungszentrum Rheinland Pfalz
DE

Alexandra Steinmetz
originator
position: Forstplanung - Forstliches Controlling
Saarforst Landesbetrieb
DE

Karl Heinz Marx
originator
position: Forest Manager (Head)
Forest District Tegel, Berlin
DE

Andre Mongelluzzi
originator
position: Expert - Initiative Future Forest Bavaria
Amt für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft und Forsten Fürth
DE

Florian Wilshusen
originator
position: Forest Manager (Head)
Forest District Office Hofbieber
DE

Jean-Jacques Boutteaux
originator
position: Forest Manager (Head)
Unité territoriale d' Auberive
FR

Loic Duchamp
originator
position: Manager – Nature Reserves
Parc naturel régional des Vosges du Nord
FR

Nicolas Dericbourg
originator
position: Forest Manager
Office national des forêts
FR

Emmanuel Rouyer
originator
position: Forest Manager
Centre Regional Occitante (CNPF) / Centre National de la Propriete Forestiere (CRPF)
FR

Valeria Csikos
originator
position: Officer Directorate
Bükki Nemzeti Park Igazgatóság / Bukk National Park
HU

Ken Sweeny
originator
position: Silviculture Specialist
Coillte
IE

Daniel Steichen
originator
position: Forest Manager
Le Gouvernement du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg, Ministère de l’Environnement, du Climat et du Développement durable - Administration de la nature et des forêts
LU

Michel Leytem
originator
position: Head of Forest District - South
Le Gouvernement du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg, Ministère de l’Environnement, du Climat et du Développement durable - Administration de la nature et des forêts
LU

Stefan Konczal
originator
position: Forest Manager (Head)
General Directorate of the State Forests, Nadlesnictwo Woziwoda
PL

Krzysztof Stereńczak
originator
position: Deputy Director for Science and Research
Instytut Badawczy Leśnictwa
PL

Marko Kazimirovic
originator
position: Researcher
University of Belgrade, Faculty of Forestry
RS

Vladimír Šebeň
originator
position: Senior Researcher
National Forest Centre
SK

Teresa Baiges Zapater
originator
position: Senior Researcher
Centre de la Propietat Forestal - Departament d'Agricultura, Ramaderia, Pesca i Alimentació
ES

Marieke van der Maaten-Theunissen
originator
position: Professor
Technische Universität Dresden
DE

Andreas Pommer
originator
position: Forest Manager
Sachsenforst - Forest District Eibenstock
DE

Thomas Nord-Larsen
originator
position: Professor
IGN, University of Copenhagen
DK

Marc Fuhr
originator
position: Senior Researcher
INRAE
FR

Luc-Olivier Delebeque
originator
position: Forest Manager
Centre Regional Occitante / Centre National de la Propriete Forestiere
FR

Lidón Martínez Navarro
originator
position: Researcher
Forest Conservation and Management Service, Castilla y Leó
ES

David Lasala
originator
position: Expert
Agresta S. Coop
ES

Andreas Schuck
metadata author
position: Senior Researcher
European Forest Institute
DE
Telephone: +49 (0) 173 6293092
email: andreas.schuck@efi.int
homepage: http://www.efi.int

Wilfried Heintz
metadata author
position: Data Manager
INRAE
FR
Telephone: +335 61 28 55 16
email: wilfried.heintz@inrae.fr
homepage: https://dynafor.toulouse.inrae.fr/
userId: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9244-9766

Sergey Zudin
metadata author
position: Senior Programmer
European Forest Institute
FI

Wilfried Heintz
programmer
position: Data manager
INRAE
UMR 1201 DYNAFOR 24 Chemin de Borde-Rouge - Auzeville CS 52627
Castanet-Tolosan
31326
FR
Telephone: +33 561 28 55 16
email: wilfried.heintz@inrae.fr
homepage: https://dynafor.toulouse.inrae.fr/
userId: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9244-9766

Andreas Schuck
administrative point of contact
position: Senior Researcher
European Forest Institute
DE
Telephone: +49 (0) 173 6293092
email: andreas.schuck@efi.int
homepage: http://www.efi.int

Daniel Kraus
administrative point of contact
position: Senior Researcher
Chair of Silviculture, University of Freiburg
DE
Telephone: +49 (0) 170 335 7838
email: daniel.kraus@waldbau.uni-freiburg.de

Laurent Larrieu
administrative point of contact
position: Senior researcher
INRAE
FR
email: laurent.larrieu@inrae.fr

Sergey Zudin
administrative point of contact
position: Senior Programmer
European Forest Institute
FI
email: sergey.zudin@efi.int
homepage: http://www.efi.int