Principle and Approach

Species diversity or biodiversity plays an important role in sustaining an ecosystem at present and in future. Forest conversion to intensive agriculture and monoculture plantations lead to a loss of biodiversity in any landscape. Generally, the rich biodiversity in natural or managed systems does not provide tangible benefits − a reason why local people may not be interested in conservation initiatives. Payment for Environmental Services or PES schemes are being proposed and tested in different contexts as a way to involve the local people in conservation practices. The Rapid Agro-Biodiversity Appraisal (RABA) (Kuncoro et al., 2006) is a diagnostic tool designed to appraise perceptions of different stakeholders related to conservation in a target area and to assess the feasibility of a PES mechanism. Extensive consultations are held with both buyers and sellers of conservation services, usually in landscapes of high biodiversity value or that harbour species of special interest such as tigers, orangutans, rhinos or endangered bird species. Data on such high-value species and biodiversity richness are usually available. Detailed biodiversity surveys are usually tedious, time-consuming and can be conducted only by experts. Occasionally, however, where detailed recent biodiversity data are unavailable or where previous information on biodiversity may need to be validated, a rapid biodiversity survey of indicator plant and animal groups may provide sufficient information necessary for a RABA. The Quick Biodiversity Survey or QBS tool was developed for this purpose.

Quick Biodiversity Survey

QBS uses indicator animal groups − dung beetles, bats, small mammals, primates, birds − in addition to plants. The animal groups can be modified depending on their importance in the locality, but the survey technique should be maintained for consistency and data comparison. The entire field work can be conducted in two weeks while the species identification should be done in consultation with experts. A local guide who is knowledgeable about local plants and animals is necessary for the field work. Indicator animals and plants are surveyed along one- km long transects; the layout and frequency of sample points are determined by the animal groups being surveyed. Time and other resources permitting, the number of transects can be increased to improve the accuracy of survey data. In general, the survey, identification, data analysis and reporting can be completed in about six weeks.

Tools and Materials

Binoculars, hand counter, notebook, digital camera, sound recorder, compass, GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) equipment, altimeter, thermometer, vernier caliper, plastic rope, yellow bowl 750 ml capacity, plastic bottle 90 cc, pin set, scissors, machete, plastic box, plastic bags, alcohol 70 per cent, light detergent, saline, naphthalene, chloroform, balance, mist net 30-32 mm mesh (6 m x 2.7 m and 10 m x 2.7 m), kasmin trap made from iron (26 cm x 13 cm x 13 cm size), bait (burnt coconut, salted fish or red oil palm fruit), measuring tape, plastic rope (10 mm diameter) and fabric bags.

How to conduct QBS?

• Set up 6 m x 2.7 m mist net 0.5 m above ground in high density canopy vegetation; 10 m x 2.7 m mist net at   3-5 m above ground in medium density canopy; and 3-10 m above ground in open area.
• Install mist net in the evening at 5pm for two to four nights; longer if it rains.
• The mist nets can be placed in strategic locations for maximum bat observations ─ open area, narrow space between hillocks and paths through dense forests. Three to four mist nets are required.
• Identify, count and release the trapped bats every one or two hours from 7pm to 10pm and again the next morning at 6am.
• If a bat cannot be positively identified, kill it by injecting chloroform; record the body length, weight, tail, ears, tarsus, tibia and wing.
• Store the specimen in 70 per cent alcohol in properly labelled plastic box for later identification.
• With the help of bat expert/s, identify the preserved specimens and their ecological functions.
• Mist nets are not effective for sampling insect bats (Microchiroptera) as they can “see” the nets with their echolocation capability. Harp nets, specially designed with catch bags, or other bat traps if available can be used. Use of bat detectors (for sound detection) or direct observation at nests, caves, coconut trees, banana trees, and house ceilings are other useful techniques.

• Use kasmin traps to collect small mammals.
• Put some bait (salted fish, burnt coconut or red oil palm fruit) in the trap. Replace bait every alternative day.
• Install traps every 20-40 m distance along the one-km transect for three-four days; check every day; may require more days under wet weather conditions.
• Collect the trapped animals every day (24 hours after setting the trap); identify, record and release positively identified animals.
• If an animal cannot be positively identified, kill it by injecting chloroform; record the body length, weight, tail, ears, tarsus and tibia.
• Store the specimen in 70 per cent alcohol in properly labelled plastic box for later identification.
• With the help of expert/s, identify the preserved specimens and their ecological functions.

• Set up the dung trap (yellow bowl) every 100 m distance along the one-km transect for 24 hours.
• Put light detergent and salt in the bowl to kill the beetles that fall into the trap.
• Put baits (human faeces) under the bowl with bait hanging from above.
• Collect trapped beetles and put in plastic bottle with 70 per cent alcohol.
• Consult expert/s to identify morpho-species in laboratory and species if possible.

• Choose a good clear day and observe primates between 6am and 6pm while walking slowly along the one-km transect. Continue three-four times a day.  A good pair of binoculars and digital camera with zoom lens are useful equipment. Visual observation can be complemented by listening for characteristic sounds (can be recorded in a voice recorder).
• Identify the species; count the population in each group or age strata and sex ratio if possible.
• Note the biophysical condition and fruit tree species in the habitat.

Birds

• As with primates, observe birds along the one-km transect between 6am to 3pm, the time when birds are most active.
• Record the bird counts following the Mackinnon Twenty Species List method (Mackinnon and Phillips, 1993). Mackinnon species lists consist of time, species and occurrence of birds.
• Each list consists of maximum 20 species. After 20 species are recorded in a list, a new list is started that may include species in the previous list. But in each list a species appears only once. If a species that is already recorded in the list is observed before the list reaches 20 species, it is included as another occurrence of the same species.
• Take photographs (and record sound if appropriate) of birds observed.
• Identify the birds (local and scientific names) if possible; describe them and site and time of observation.

Trees and saplings

Identification and counting of large trees and saplings are the objectives of the QBS method.

• Trees: set up 8 m x 8 m sample plot at every 100 m distance along the one-km transect. Record all trees with girth of 31cm and above; identify local and/ or scientific names, if possible their phenology (fruiting and flowering).
• Saplings: set up 4 m x 4 m sample plot at every 100m distance. Record all plants below 31cm girth but above 2m height. Identify their local and/or scientific names. Count the number of all saplings in each plot.
• If a plant (tree and sapling) cannot be identified positively, collect its specimen for later identification.
• Collect information about seed dispersal mechanism (wind, long-range animal, short-range animal and large-seeded autochory meaning seeds and fruits dispersed through some kind of physical explosion) from the local people and/ or literature.

References

Kuncoro SA, van Noordwijk M, Martini E, Saipothong P, Areskoug V, Eka Dinata A and O'Connor T. 2006. Rapid Agro-Biodiversity Appraisal (RABA) in the Context of Environmental Service Rewards. Bogor, Indonesia. World Agroforestry Centre - ICRAF, SEA Regional Office. 106 p.
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/sea/publication?do=view_pub_detail&pub_no=BK0105-06

Mackinnon, J and Phillips. K. 1993. Field Guide to the Birds of Sumatra, Borneo, Java and Bali (The greater Sunda Islands). Oxford University Press. Oxford.

Site for QBS and tree inventory

1. Mae Wang Watershed, Mae Wang District, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand
2. Kutai Kartanegara District, East Kalimantan Province, Indonesia

Printed Flyer - English - Indonesian