Monitoring the forest

Throughout the Smithsonian's biodiversity network, programs at the research sites monitor and record changes in the composition, structure and dynamics of temperate and tropical forest ecosystems. This is done by first determining what species are present at a particular site. Data on species abundance and distribution is gathered. Then, the site is monitored over a period of time and more data gathered. Changes are noted and patterns may be discovered.

Understanding the changes that occur assists in developing management techniques that will maintain ecosystem stability and integrity. It also helps in planning for restoring degraded areas.

The data collected is shared. Although the research sites are located in many different places throughout the world, the assessing and monitoring techniques they use are standardised. This means that data gathered at different sites, and over different periods of time, can be easily compared. Researchers from other sites can share and draw on the information collected.

Kejimkujik site

The Smithsonian's first site in Canada was established in 1994 in Kejimkujik National Park in Nova Scotia. In cooperation with Parks and Environment Canada, two one-hectare biodiversity monitoring plots were set aside for study. One of these was in a mixed hardwood stand, the other in a mixed softwood stand.

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