Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

National Inventory of Landscapes in Sweden (NILS)—scope, design, and experiences from establishing a multiscale biodiversity monitoring system

  • Published:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The landscape-level and multiscale biodiversity monitoring program National Inventory of Landscapes in Sweden (NILS) was launched in 2003. NILS is conducted as a sample-based stratified inventory that acquires data across several spatial scales, which is accomplished by combining aerial photo interpretation with field inventory. A total of 631 sample units are distributed across the land base of Sweden, of which 20% are surveyed each year. By 2007 NILS completed the first 5-year inventory phase. As the reinventory in the second 5-year phase (2008–2012) proceeds, experiences and insights accumulate and reflections are made on the setup and accomplishment of the monitoring scheme. In this article, the emphasis is placed on background, scope, objectives, design, and experiences of the NILS program. The main objective to collect data for and perform analyses of natural landscape changes, degree of anthropogenic impact, prerequisites for natural biological diversity and ecological processes at landscape scale. Different environmental conditions that can have direct or indirect effects on biological diversity are monitored. The program provides data for national and international policy and offers an infrastructure for other monitoring program and research projects. NILS has attracted significant national and international interest during its relatively short time of existence; the number of stakeholders and cooperation partners steadily increases. This is constructive and strengthens the incentive for the multiscale monitoring approach.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ahlqvist, O. (2008). In search of classification that supports the dynamics of science: The FAO land cover classification system and proposed modifications. Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design, 35, 169–186.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Allard, A. (2003). Vegetation changes in mountainous areas—A monitoring methodology based on interpretation of aerial photos, high-resolution satellite images and on field investigations (no. 27, p. 111). Ph.D. thesis in Geography, With Emphasis on Physical Geography and Quaternary Geology, Stockholm University.

  • Allard, A., Nilsson, B., Pramborg, K., Ståhl, G., & Sundquist, S. (2005). Manual for aerial photo interpretation in the National Inventory of Landscapes in Sweden, NILS, year 2003 (p. 96). Technical Report, Department of Forest Resource Management, SLU, Umeå, Sweden.

  • Allard, A., Esseen, P.-A., Holm, S., Högström, M., Marklund, L., Nilsson, B., et al. (2007). Fångst av vegetationsdata och Natura 2000-habitat i fjällen genom flygbildstolkning med punktgittermetodik (in Swedish) (p. 47). [Capture of vegetation data and Natura 2000 habitats in the mountainous areas using aerial photo interpretation and point grid methodology]. Work report 171, Department of Forest Resource Management, SLU, Umeå, Sweden.

  • Anonymous (2000). Skogsdata 2000. Aktuella uppgifter om de svenska skogarna från Riksskogstaxeringen (in Swedish) (110 pp.). [Forest data 2000. Current information on the Swedish forests from the National Forest Inventory]. Department of Forest Resource Management, SLU, Umeå, Sweden.

  • Anonymous (2008). Seventh framework programme, Theme 6. European biodiversity observation network: Design of a plan for an integrated biodiversity observing system in space and time, EBONE (p. 84). Annex I—“Description of Work”, A collaborative project for Environment (Including Climate Change).

  • Barr, C. J., Bunce, R. G. H., Clarke, R. T., Firbank, L. G., Gillespie, M. K., Howard, D. C., et al. (2003). Methodology of countryside survey 2000 module 1: Survey of broad habitats and landscape features, final report (p. 117). Contract report to Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Cumbria, England.

  • Brandt, J., Holmes, E., & Agger, P. (2001). Integrated monitoring on a landscape scale—Lessons from Denmark. In G. Groom & T. Reed (Eds.), Strategic landscape for the Nordic countries, Nordic Council of Ministers (chapter 4, p. 128). TemaNord Environment.

  • Brandt, J., Bunce, R. G. H., Howard, D. C., & Petit, S. (2002). General principles of monitoring land cover change based on two case studies in Britain and Denmark. Landscape and Urban Planning, 62, 37–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bunce, R. G. H., Groom, G. B., Jongman, R. H. G., & Padoa-Schioppa, E. (Eds.). (2005). Handbook for surveillance and monitoring of European habitats (1st ed., p. 107). Alterra-rapport 1219, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

  • Bunce, R. G. H., Pérez-Soba, M., Gómez-Sanz, V., García del Barrio, J. M., & Elena-Rosselló, R. (2006). European framework for surveillance and monitoring of habitats: A methodological approach for Spain. Investigación Agraria: Sistemas y Recursos Forestales, 15(3), 249–261.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bunce, R. G. H., Metzger, M. J., Jongman, R. H. G., Brandt, J., de Blust, G., Elena-Rossello, R., et al. (2008). A standardized procedure for surveillance and monitoring European habitats and provision of spatial data. Landscape Ecology, 23, 11–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bühler, C. (2006). Biodiversity monitoring in Switzerland: What can we learn for general surveillance of GM crops? J Verbr Lebensm, 1(1), 37–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Christensen, P., Glimskär, A., Hedblom, M., & Ringvall, A. (2008). Myrarnas areal och vegetation: Skattningar från provytedata i NILS 2003–2007 (in Swedish) (p. 32). [Area and vegetation of mires: Estimations from permanent plot data in NILS 2003–2007]. Work Report 237, Department of Forest Resource management, SLU, Umeå, Sweden.

  • Christensen, P., & Ringvall, A. (in preparation). Evaluation of a large-scale environmental programme in Sweden: How small environmental changes are detectable.

  • Commission of the European Communities (1994). Corine land cover. Retrieved from http://reports.eea.europa.eu/COR0-landcover/en.

  • Council of Europe (2000). European landscape convention (p. 8). European Treaty Series No. 176, Florence, Italy.

  • Davies, C. E., Moss, D., & Hill M. O. (2004). EUNIS habitat classification revised 2004 (307 pp.). European Environmental Agency, European Topic Centre for Nature Protection and Biodiversity. Retrieved from http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/upload/EUNIS_2004_report.pdf.

  • De Vries, P. G. (1986). Sampling theory for forest inventory (p. 399). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Di Gregorio, A., & Janssen, L. J. M. (2005). Land Cover Classification System (LCCS), version 2. Classification concepts and user manual (p. 208). FAO, Environmental and Natural Resources Series, No. 8. Rome.

  • Esseen, P.-A., Glimskär, A., Moen, J., Söderström, B., & Weibull, A.-C. (2004). Analys av informationsbehov för Stickprovsvis Landskapsövervakning (SLÖ) (in Swedish) (p. 73). [Analysis of information needs for Sample-based Landscape Monitoring (SLÖ)]. Work Report 132, Department of Forest Resource Management, SLU, Umeå, Sweden.

  • Esseen, P. A., Glimskär, A., Ståhl, G., & Sundquist, S. (2007a). Field instruction for National Inventory of Landscapes in Sweden, NILS, year 2007 (p. 194). Umeå: SLU, Department of Forest Resource Management.

  • Esseen, P-A., Nilsson, B., Allard, A., Gardfjell, H., & Högström, M. (2007b). Landskapsdata från Nationell Inventering av Landskapet i Sverige (NILS)—Flygbildstolkning av 1 km x 1 km rutan för år 2003 (in Swedish) (p. 63). [Landscape data from the National inventory of landscape in Sweden (NILS)—Inventory of aerial photo interpretation of the 1 km x 1 km square for the year 2003]. Work Report 169, Department of Forest Resource Management, SLU, Umeå, Sweden.

  • European Commission (2008). The habitats directive. Retrieved from http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/legislation/habitatsdirective/index_en.htm.

  • Fjellstad, W., Mathiesen, H., & Stokland, J. (2001). Monitoring Norwegian agricultural landscapes: The 3Q program. In G. Groom & T. Reed (Eds.), Strategic landscape monitoring for the Nordic countries. TemaNord 2001:523. Copenhagen.

  • Fridman, J., & Walheim, M. (2000). Amount, structure and dynamics of dead wood on managed forests in Sweden. Forest Ecology and Management, 131, 23–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gallegos Torell, Å., & Glimskär, A. (2009). Computer-aided calibration for visual estimation of vegetation cover. Journal of Vegetation Science, 20, 973–983.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Geoghegan, J., Wainger, L. A., & Bockstael, N. E. (1997). Analysis, spatial landscape indices in a hedonic framework: An ecological economics analysis using GIS. Ecological Economics, 23, 251–264.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Glimskär, A., Esseen, P.-A., Moen, J., Söderström, B., & Weibull, A-C. (2001). Contents of a Swedish landscape monitoring program. In Ü, Mander, A. Printsmann, & H. Palang (Eds.). Development of European Landscapes (Vol. 92, pp. 276–280). Conference Proceedings, IALE 2001. Publ. Inst. Geogr. Univ. Tartuensis.

  • Glimskär, A., Wikberg, J., Marklund, L., & Christensen, P. (2007). Linjära landskapselement i NILS fältinventering 2003–2006 (in Swedish) (p. 122). [Linear landscape elements in the NILS field inventory 2003–2006]. Work Report 199. Department of Forest Resource Management, SLU, Umeå, Sweden.

  • Green, R. H. (1989). Power analysis and practical strategies for environmental monitoring. Environmental Research, 50, 195–205.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gunnarsson, U., & Löfroth, M. (2009). Våtmarksinventeringen (VMI)—Resultat från 25 års inventeringar. Slutrapport (in Swedish). [The National Wetland Inventory of Sweden (VMI)—Results from 25 years of inventory. Final report.]. Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. Stockholm.

  • Haines-Young, R., Barr, C. J., Firbank, L. G., Furse, M., Howard, D. C., McGowan, G. et al. (2003). Changing landscapes, habitats and vegetation diversity across Great Britain. Journal of Environmental Management, 67, 267–281.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hedblom, M., & Gyllin, M. (2009). Övervakning av biologisk mångfald och friluftsliv i tätorter—en metodstudie (in Swedish) (p. 76). [Monitoring biodiversity and recreation in urban areas—A method analysis]. Naturvårdsverket. Rapport 5974.

  • Hånell, B. (1990). Torvtäckta marker, dikning och sumpskogar i Sverige (in Swedish). [Peatlands, ditching and swamp forests in Sweden]. Skogsfakta, Inventering och ekonomi, nr 22., SLU Umeå.

  • Ihse, M. (2007). Colour infrared aerial photography as a tool for vegetation mapping and change detection in environmental studies of Nordic ecosystems: A review. Norsk Geografisk Tidsskrift—Norwegian Journal of Geography, 61(4), 170–191.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ihse, M., & Blom, G. (2000). Monitoring changes in land-use, landscape features, biodiversity and cultural heritage in Sweden—The LIM project. In R. H. G. Jongman & U. Mander (Eds.), Consequences of land use changes, advances in ecology series (pp. 39–74). Boston: WITT.

    Google Scholar 

  • Inghe, O. (2001). The Swedish landscape monitoring program—Current status and prospects for the near future. In G. Groom & T. Reed (Eds.), Strategic landscape monitoring for the Nordic countries. TemaNord 2001:523. Copenhagen.

  • Lindenmayer, D. B., & Likens, G. E. (2009). Adaptive monitoring: A new paradigm for long-term research and monitoring. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 24, 482–486.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lovett, G. M., Burns, D. A., Driscoll, C. T., Jenkins, J. C., Mitchell, M. J., Rustad, L., et al. (2007). Who needs environmental monitoring? Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 5, 253–260.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Löfvenhaft, K. (2002). Spatial and temporal perspectives on biodiversity for physical planning—Examples from Urban Stockholm, Sweden. PhD thesis in Geography, With Emphasis on Physical Geography, Stockholm University, No 26. Stockholm.

  • Metzger, J. P. (2008). Landscape ecology: Perspectives based on the 2007 IALE world congress. Landscape Ecology, 23, 501–504.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of the Environment, Sweden (2001). The Swedish Environmental Objectives—Interim targets and action strategies (p. 80). Summary of Gov. Bill 2000/01:130, Stockholm.

  • Ministry of the Environment, Sweden (2004). Sweden’s Environmental Policy. A brief overview. Ref. no. M 2004.03. Retrieved from http://www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/574/a/25800.

  • Nassauer, J. I., & Opdam, P. (2008). Design in science: Extending the landscape ecology paradigm. Landscape Ecology, 23, 633–644.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Noss, R. F. (1990). Indicators for monitoring biodiversity: A hierarchical approach. Conservation Biology, 4, 355–364.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Noss, R. F., Cline, S. P., Csuti, B., & Scott, J. M. (1992). Monitoring and assessing biodiversity. In E. Lykke (Ed.), Achieving environmental goals (pp. 67–85). London: Belhaven. Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD): Environmental Indicators. OECD core set. OECD, Paris.

  • Olsson, B. (2002). Beräkning av sankmarksareal från topografiska kartan per län och biogeografisk region (in Swedish) (p. 11). [Estimates of peatland areas from topographic maps, for provinces and biogeographic regions]. Technical report, Metria Miljöanalys. Stockholm.

  • Peterseil, J., Wrbka, T., Plutzar, C., Schmitzberger, I., Kiss, A., Szerencsits, E., et al. (2004). Evaluating the ecological sustainability of Austrian agricultural landscapes—The SINUS approach. Land Use Policy, 21(3), 307–320.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Petit, S. (2009). The dimensions of land use change in rural landscapes: Lessons learnt from the GB Countryside survey. Journal of Environmental Management, 90, 2851–2856.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rydin, H., & Jeglum, J. (2006). The biology of peatlands (p. 343). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shao, G., & Wu, J. (2008). On the accuracy of landscape pattern analysis using remote sensing data. Landscape Ecology, 23, 505–511.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schmeller, D. S., Henry, P.-Y., Julliard, R., Gruber, B., Clobert, J., Dziock, F., et al. (2008). Advantages of volunteer-based biodiversity monitoring in Europe. Conservation Biology, 23(2), 307–316.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schreuder, H. T., Gregoire, T. G., & Wood, G. B. (1993). Sampling methods for multiresource forest inventory (p. 446). New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schreuder, H. T., Gregoire, T. G., & Weyer, J. P. (2001). For what applications can probability and non-probability sampling be used? Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 66, 281–291.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Skånes, H. (1996). Landscape change and grassland dynamics—Retrospective studies based on aerial photographs and old cadastral maps during 200 years in South Sweden (p. 125). Ph.D. thesis in Geography, with a major in Physical Geography and Quaternary Geology, Stockholm University, No 8.

  • Sohlman, A. (ed.). (2008). Arter och naturtyper i Habitatdirektivet—tillståndet i Sverige 2007 (in Swedish) (p. 73). [Species and nature types in the habitat directive—The status in Sweden 2007]. ArtDatabanken, SLU, Uppsala.

  • Stadt, J. J., Schieck, J., & Stelfox, H. A. (2006). Alberta biodiversity monitoring program—Monitoring effectiveness of sustainable forest management planning. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 121, 33–46.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Svensson, J. (2009). NILS—Översyn av verksamheten 2003–2008 (in Swedish) (p. 34). [NILS—Evaluation of activities 2003–2008]. Work Report 254, Department of Forest Resource Management, SLU, Umeå, Sweden.

  • Svensson, J., Allard, A., Christensen, P., Eriksson, Å., Esseen, P.-A., Glimskär, A. et al. (2009). Landscape biodiversity monitoring in the Swedish NILS program (p. 8) . Conference proceedings, XIII World Forestry Congress, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

  • Takács, G., & Molnár, Z. (eds.) (2009). National biodiversity monitoring system XI. Habitat mapping (2nd modified ed., p. 54). Ministry of Environment and Water, Budapest.

  • Thompson, S. K. (1992). Sampling (p. 343). New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • United Nations (1992). United Nations framework convention on climate change (25 pp.). FCCC/Informal/84. Retrieved from http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/convkp/conveng.pdf.

  • UNEP, United Nations Environment Programme (1993). Convention on biological diversity (with annexes) (p. 83). Concluded at Rio de Janeiro on 5 June 1992. UNEP, Convention No. 30619. Retrieved from http://www.cbd.int/convention/convention.shtml.

  • Vos, P., Meelis, E., & ter Keurs, W. J. (2000). A framework for the design of ecological monitoring programs as a tool for environmental and nature management. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 61, 317–344.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Westerberg, S., & Rynbäck Andersson, L. (2004). Våtmarker i Norrbottens län (in Swedish) (p. 217). [Peatlands in the province of Norrbotten, Sweden]. Technical report, Länsstyrelsen i Norrbottens län, Luleå.

  • Wiens, J. A. (2008). Allerton Park 1983: The beginning of a paradigm for landscape ecology. Landscape Ecology, 23, 125–128.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yli-Viikari, A., Risku-Norja, H., Nuutinen, V., Heinonen, E., Hietala-Koivu, R., Huusela-Veistola, E., et al. (2002). Agri-environmental and rural development indicators: A proposal (p. 114). Agrifood Research Reports 5. MIT Agrifood Research, Finland.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Forest Resource Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 90183, Umeå, Sweden

    Göran Ståhl, Anna Allard, Anna Ringvall, Johan Svensson, Sture Sundquist, Pernilla Christensen, Åsa Gallegos Torell, Mats Högström, Kjell Lagerqvist, Liselott Marklund & Björn Nilsson

  2. Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden

    Per-Anders Esseen

  3. Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 90183, Umeå, Sweden

    Anders Glimskär

  4. Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, Stockholm, Sweden

    Ola Inghe

Authors
  1. Göran Ståhl
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Anna Allard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Per-Anders Esseen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Anders Glimskär
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Anna Ringvall
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Johan Svensson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Sture Sundquist
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Pernilla Christensen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Åsa Gallegos Torell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Mats Högström
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Kjell Lagerqvist
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  12. Liselott Marklund
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  13. Björn Nilsson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  14. Ola Inghe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Johan Svensson.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ståhl, G., Allard, A., Esseen, PA. et al. National Inventory of Landscapes in Sweden (NILS)—scope, design, and experiences from establishing a multiscale biodiversity monitoring system. Environ Monit Assess 173, 579–595 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-010-1406-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-010-1406-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation