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Biodiversity monitoring protocols for REDD+: can a one-size-fits-all approach really work?

Harrison, Mark E., Boonman, Arjan, Cheyne, Susan M., Husson, Simon, Marchant, Nicholas C., Struebig, Matthew J. (2012) Biodiversity monitoring protocols for REDD+: can a one-size-fits-all approach really work? Tropical Conservation Science, 5 (1). pp. 1-11. ISSN 1940-0829. (doi:10.1177/194008291200500102) (KAR id:31173)

Abstract

Development of a standard monitoring protocol for assessing the impacts of REDD+ (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation) projects on biodiversity is desirable. Drawing on the conservation literature and our personal experience, we review whether such a one-size-fits-all approach is justifiable on scientific and practical grounds. We conclude that achieving a model biodiversity monitoring protocol suitable for use in all potential REDD+ sites is probably an unrealistic objective, owing to the huge differences among the world's forests in terms of structure, species composition, ecological interactions and ecosystem services provided. Moreover, to provide useful feedback for conservation managers, ecological monitoring programmes must be designed around a project's conservation goals, which will vary from project to project, owing to these differences in forest ecology and human threats faced. Thus, site-specific biodiversity monitoring programmes are needed. No single monitoring method is likely to be optimal, or even suitable for use, in all REDD+ forests. Instead, we suggest that a standard approach be adopted, in which ecological monitoring research is (i) designed to reflect a project's biodiversity conservation goals; (ii) based upon scientifically-tractable, policy-relevant questions regarding the impacts of management interventions on the ecosystem; (iii) founded on detailed knowledge of the habitat type in question; (iv) includes monitoring of a number of indicators, as appropriate to the project; and (v) defines appropriate reference/baseline conditions against which progress can be assessed.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1177/194008291200500102
Additional information: Unmapped bibliographic data: Y1 - 2012/// [EPrints field already has value set] JA - TROPICAL CONSERVATION SCIENCE [Field not mapped to EPrints]
Uncontrolled keywords: Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation, REDD, forest, biodiversity monitoring, biodiversity benefits
Subjects: Q Science > QH Natural history > QH75 Conservation (Biology)
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation > DICE (Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology)
Depositing User: Matthew Struebig
Date Deposited: 03 Oct 2012 11:05 UTC
Last Modified: 09 Mar 2023 11:32 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/31173 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Struebig, Matthew J..

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2058-8502
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