In order to explain the trends of the different transects, we ask you to assess the habitat on a yearly basis in the area of about 200 m surrounding your transect. Habitat assessment implies only four questions.
1. What is the main habitat (200 m surrounding the transect) :
- urban (including industrial, residential, transport and commercial areas)
- Park (public or private park or open residential areas with lots of full grown trees)
- Agricultural
- Broad-leaved forest (less then 25% coniferous)
- Coniferous forest (less then 25% broadleaves)
- Mixed forest (mixture of broadleaves and coniferous trees)
- Natural or semi-natural vegetation other than forest
2. An estimate of the extent by covered by the crowns of broad-leaved trees (200 m surrounding the transect) :
- To estimate this, look at an aerial photograph of your transect for example via Google maps.
- 0-25%
- 26-50%
- 51-75%
- 76-100%
3. How much dead wood is available (200 m surrounding the transect) :
- Estimating the amount of dead wood, including old trees (>1m in diameter), dead broad-leaved trees, broad-leaved tree stumps, and artificial logs (railway sleepers, log piles, …) of more than 40 cm in diameter
- None or little (<1/ha)
- Moderate (1-5/ha)
- High (5-25/ha)
- Very high (>25/ha)
4. Has the habitat (suitable dead wood) over the last five years been decreasing or increasing:
- Habitat is decreasing
- Habitat is rather stable
- Habitat is increasing
If you find it difficult to fill in these questions, please contact the responsible at your country.