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The Importance of Temporal and Spatial Vegetation Structure Information in Biotope Mapping Schemes: A Case Study in Helsingborg, Sweden

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Abstract

Temporal and spatial vegetation structure has impact on biodiversity qualities. Yet, current schemes of biotope mapping do only to a limited extend incorporate these factors in the mapping. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the application of a modified biotope mapping scheme that includes temporal and spatial vegetation structure. A refined scheme was developed based on a biotope classification, and applied to a green structure system in Helsingborg city in southern Sweden. It includes four parameters of vegetation structure: continuity of forest cover, age of dominant trees, horizontal structure, and vertical structure. The major green structure sites were determined by interpretation of panchromatic aerial photographs assisted with a field survey. A set of biotope maps was constructed on the basis of each level of modified classification. An evaluation of the scheme included two aspects in particular: comparison of species richness between long-continuity and short-continuity forests based on identification of woodland continuity using ancient woodland indicators (AWI) species and related historical documents, and spatial distribution of animals in the green space in relation to vegetation structure. The results indicate that (1) the relationship between forest continuity: according to verification of historical documents, the richness of AWI species was higher in long-continuity forests; Simpson’s diversity was significantly different between long- and short-continuity forests; the total species richness and Shannon’s diversity were much higher in long-continuity forests shown a very significant difference. (2) The spatial vegetation structure and age of stands influence the richness and abundance of the avian fauna and rabbits, and distance to the nearest tree and shrub was a strong determinant of presence for these animal groups. It is concluded that continuity of forest cover, age of dominant trees, horizontal and vertical structures of vegetation should now be included in urban biotope classifications.

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Acknowledgments

This research was funded by the China Scholarship Council (Chinese government scholarship for postgraduate program) and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences postgraduate program. We are grateful to Associate Professor Anders Busse Nielsen for valuable and helpful suggestions on the manuscript. We also appreciate the thorough review and critical comments of the anonymous reviewers that helped improve this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Forestry, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, 712100, China

    Tian Gao & Ling Qiu

  2. Department of Landscape Management, Design and Construction, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 23053, Alnarp, Sweden

    Tian Gao, Ling Qiu, Mårten Hammer & Allan Gunnarsson

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  1. Tian Gao
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Correspondence to Tian Gao.

Appendix

Appendix

Count, Area and Ratio of Modified Biotope Type in Helsingborg, Sweden

 

Modified biotope type

Count

Area (1,000 m2)

Ratio (%)

Green space

 Open green areas <10% tree/shrub

  

(16.5)

  with lawn areas

14

141

3.1

  with grazed land areas

4

179

3.9

  with meadow areas

12

193

4.2

  with succession areas

5

242

5.3

 Partly-open green area 10–30% tree/shrub

  

(25.2)

  with lawn areas

20

843

18.5

  with meadow areas

8

305

6.7

 Partly-closed green area 30–60% tree/shrub

  

(2.8)

  30–80 year of two-layered deciduous

1

13

0.3

  30–80 year of multi-layered deciduous

1

59

1.2

  >80 year of multi-layered mixed

1

61

1.3

 Grove, clump of trees, thicket, tree belt or avenue

  

(12.2)

  <30 year of one-layered deciduous

31

87

1.9

  <30 year of two-layered deciduous

23

189

4.1

  <30 year of multi-layered deciduous

9

192

4.2

  <30 year of one-layered swamp

3

5

0.1

  30–80 year of one-layered deciduous

2

5

0.1

  30–80 year of two-layered deciduous

6

25

0.6

  30–80 year of multi-layered deciduous

5

53

1.2

 Forest

  

(43.3)

  <30 year of one-layered deciduous

4

247

5.4

  <30 year of two-layered deciduous

1

8

0.2

  <30 year of multi-layered deciduous

7

655

14.4

  30–80 year of one-layered conifer

8

118

2.6

  30–80 year of one-layered deciduous

4

9

0.2

  30–80 year of multi-layered deciduous

4

760

16.7

  30–80 year of multi-layered mixed

2

108

2.4

  >80 year of two-layered deciduous

2

52

1.1

 Clear cutting areas

  conifer to deciduous

2

13

0.3

  deciduous to deciduous

1

1

0.0

Total

 

4,562

100

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Gao, T., Qiu, L., Hammer, M. et al. The Importance of Temporal and Spatial Vegetation Structure Information in Biotope Mapping Schemes: A Case Study in Helsingborg, Sweden. Environmental Management 49, 459–472 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-011-9795-0

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