Handbook of field sampling for multi-taxon biodiversity studies in European forests

Forests host most terrestrial biodiversity and their sustainable management is crucial to halt loss. Although scientific evidence indicates that forest (SFM) should be assessed by monitoring multi-taxon biodiversity, current SFM criteria indicators account only for trees or consider indirect proxies. Several projects performed sampling investigate the effects of on but large variability approaches hampers identification general trends, limits broad-scale inference designing SFM. Here we address need common protocols structure used at broad spatial scales. We established a network researchers involved in 41 across 13 European countries. The data comprised assessment least three taxa, measurement stand same plots stands. mapped standing deadwood, this overview provide operational answers two simple, yet crucial, questions: what sample? How commonly sampled taxonomic groups are vascular plants (83% datasets), beetles (80%), lichens (66%), birds fungi (61%), bryophytes (49%). They cover different structures habitats, with limited focus soil, litter canopy. Notwithstanding goal assessing differed widely within among groups. Differences derive from units (plots size, use vs. plot scale), substrates functional organisms. Sampling methods lying deadwood were relatively homogeneous focused volume calculations, great diameter thresholds. developed handbook (SI 3) aimed greatest possible comparability studies as basis European-wide programs, robust understanding response management, direct