| Ferretti M, Beuker E, Calatayud V, Canullo R, Dobbertin M, Eichhorn J, Neumann M, Roskams P, Schaub M (2013) Chapter 21 - Data Quality in Field Surveys: Methods and Results for Tree Condition, Phenology, Growth, Plant Diversity and Foliar Injury due to Ozone. In: M. Ferretti, R. Fischer (ed.) Forest Monitoring - Methods for terrestrial investigations in Europe with an overview of North America and Asia, Developments in Environmental Science, Elsevier, , 12: 397-414. [10.1016/B978-0-08-098222-9.00021-2] |
Keywords
| Data quality, Defoliation, Growth, Species diversity, Phenology, Ozone injury |
Abstract
| Vegetation-related response variables adopted in the ICP Forests are related to health, growth, phenology, and diversity. Their assessment and measurement is subject to errors, which need to be controlled and documented. To do this, data quality requirements (DQRs) and intercomparison exercises were implemented. During 2009 and 2010, 111–260 field crews took part in different exercises organized across Europe. Results revealed that, while for some variables (e.g., tree diameter, standing basal area, ozone injury, species diversity) DQRs were substantially achieved, problems still exist for other measurements/calculations (tree height, volume and increment, crown base height, crown symptoms identification and description). In some cases, achievement of DRQs was partly due to relaxed DQRs. While the recent progresses in Quality Assurance/Quality Control for field surveys are promising, further effort is necessary to sharpen DQRs, refine standard operating procedures, and reinforce training. |
LWF Classification
| Network: LWF, Category: peer-reviewed, |