**8. Use of monitoring data for biodiversity and climate change**

The NILS program covers all terrestrial habitats in Sweden, including wetlands and peatlands. Moreover, NILS also includes the alpine area of the Scandinavian Mountain Range and the various shallow-peated wetlands that harbour a rich diversity of habitats and flora. The long-term series of data that will be made available have a substantial potential for various purposes. With the 5-year inventory cycle of the NILS programme it should be possible to observe changes of vegetation that may relate to climate change, as well as anthropogenic influences such as various land use activities and atmospheric pollution. Below we present a list of possible wetland and peatland ecosystem changes that may be observed, having in mind future improvements and supplementary research within the NILS monitoring system.


encroachment onto peatlands (e.g., Fig. 1). We also suggest that it may be useful in future analyses to combine i) lawn and carpet, and ii) mud-bottom with flark pools (e.g., Fig. 6). These elements individually have low accuracy of estimation, but by combining these pairs

The NILS program covers all terrestrial habitats in Sweden, including wetlands and peatlands. Moreover, NILS also includes the alpine area of the Scandinavian Mountain Range and the various shallow-peated wetlands that harbour a rich diversity of habitats and flora. The long-term series of data that will be made available have a substantial potential for various purposes. With the 5-year inventory cycle of the NILS programme it should be possible to observe changes of vegetation that may relate to climate change, as well as anthropogenic influences such as various land use activities and atmospheric pollution. Below we present a list of possible wetland and peatland ecosystem changes that may be observed, having in mind future improvements and supplementary research within the

1. **Shifts in temperature and moisture regimes will cause biological responses**: With increases in temperature, we expect increased evapotranspiration, decreases in water level, and increased decomposition in warmer acrotelms. However, there are predicted to be net positive or negative changes in precipitation, which may move different habitats toward wetter or drier conditions (Lind et al., 2008). If the net effect of the changes is towards warming, the vegetation will have net increases in biomass. Tall woody vegetation, dwarf shrubs, *Carex* and other graminoids, herbs, *Sphagnum*, other mosses, liverworts, and lichens will all respond to the effects of climate changes, with changes in metabolic processes (photosynthesis, productivity, respiration), and this will translate to changes in decomposition rates and net accumulation or loss of peat

2. **Changes in the Field and bottom layers:** The changes will not be uniform, but rather will change in different directions depending on the pH-base saturation status. Dwarf shrub types will develop denser cover with increased shading and litterfall over *Sphagnum*. In the case of Graminoid types, it is probable that productivity will increase and canopies become taller and more lush owing to response to increased release of nutrients from more rapid decomposition and cycling in deeper acrotelms. For these same reasons, tall graminoids may gain at the expense of low graminoids. Sphagnum will probably decrease in general owing to being covered by litterfall of more rapidly growing field layers. Lichen cover will probably increase. Tall sedge, Limnogenous fen, and Non-mire wetlands could increase if precipitation increases, causing higher/more

3. **Changes in relative abundances of Sphagnum:** Hummock species of Sphagnum will increase over lawn and carpet Sphagnums. Mauquoy *et al*. (2002) showed from peat core analyses that in periods with lower temperature, due to decreased solar activity, there was a shift in representation from lawn and hummock species to hollow species in ombrotrophic mires in Denmark and the UK. Breeuwer et al. (2008) performed greenhouse warming studies with species from sites in southern and northern Sweden.

we may achieve more accurate and reliable estimations of cover changes.

**8. Use of monitoring data for biodiversity and climate change** 

NILS monitoring system.

(Mooney, 1991).

frequent flooding.

They predict that in northern Sweden, hollow species such as *S. balticum* will lose competitive strength relative to hummock species such as *S. fuscum* and southern species such as *S. magellanicum*.


Main Ecosystem Characteristics and Distribution of Wetlands

global warming. *Ecol. Appl.* 1:182.

North America. *Environ. Rev.* 9:99-126.

237.

(9):723–734.

pp.169-187.

Report 5225.

Available from:

in Boreal and Alpine Landscapes in Northern Sweden Under Climate Change 215

Christensen P., Glimskär A., Hedblom M. & Ringvall A. (2008). *Myrarnas areal och* 

Dale, V. H., Joyce, L.A., McNulty, S., Neilson, R.P., Ayres, M.P., Flannigan, M.D., Hanson,

Gorham, E. (1991). Northern peatlands: role in the carbon cycle and probable responses to

Gorham, E. (1995). The biogeochemistry of northern peatlands and its possible responses to

Gorham, E., Brush, G.S., Graumlich, L.J., & Johnson, A.H. (2001). The value of paleoecology

Government of Sweden. (2009). *Regeringens proposition 2009/10:55. Svenska miljömål, för ett* 

Gunnarsson, U. & Löfroth, M. (2009). *Våtmarksinventeringen – resultat från 25 års* 

Götbrink, E. & Haglund, A, (2010). *Manual för uppföljning i myrar i skyddade områden*. (*Manual* 

 http://naturvårdsverket.se/upload/04\_arbete\_med\_naturvard/Skydd\_och\_skotse l\_vardefull\_natur/Uppfoljning/7\_ufmanual\_myrar\_faststalld20100503.pdf Hånell, B. (1989). *Skogliga våtmarker I Sverige (Peatlands in Sweden. A description of forest* 

Swedish Univ. Agricultural Sciences, Department of Forest Soils, Rep. 60. Hebda, R. J., Gustavson, K., Golinski, K. & Calder, A. M. (2000). *Burns Bog Ecosystem Review* 

Helmfrid, S. (1996). *Sveriges geografi (Geography of Sweden)*, National Atlas of Sweden Series,

Ihse, M. (2007). Colour infrared aerial photography as a tool for vegetation mapping and

*Geografisk Tidsskrift - Norwegian Journal of Geography* 61(4), 170-191.

Environmental Assessment Office, Victoria, BC, Canada.

SNA, Swedish Land Survey, Vol. 17.

*Objectives as a tool for more effective environmental work*), Available from:

http://www.sweden.gov.se/content/1/c6/14/24/56/dca35b38.pdf

*vegetation: skattningar från provytedata i NILS 2003-2007 (Mire area and vegetation: estimations from field sample data in NILS 2003-2007)*. Swedish Univ. Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Department of Forest Resource Management, Work Report No.

P.J., Irland, L.C., Lugo, A.E., Peterson, C.J., Simberloff, D., Swanson, F.J. Stocks, B.J. & Wotton, B.M. (2001). Climate change and forest disturbances. *BioScience* 51

global warming. In Woodwell, G.M. & MacKenzie, F.T. (eds.), *Biotic feedbacks in the global climatic system: will the warming speed the warming?*, Oxford Univ. Press,

as an aide to monitoring ecosystems and landscapes, chiefly with reference to

*effektivare miljöarbete*. *(Governemnt Proposition, Swedish Environmental Quality* 

*inventeringar. Nationell slutrapport för våtmarksinventeringen (VMI) i Sverige, (The Wetland Inventory – Results from 25 years of inventory. Final report from the National Wetland Inventory (VMI) in Sweden)*, Swedish Environmental Protection Agency,

*for continued monitoring of mires in protected areas, A field manual for follow-up on European Habitats Directive*), Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, Typescript.

*conditions on shallow and deep peatlands and their national and local distribution)*.

*–Synthesis Report for Burns Bog, Fraser River Delta, South-western British Columbia*,

change detection in environmental studies of Nordic ecosystems: A review. *Norsk* 


#### **9. Acknowledgements**

We are grateful to Erik Cronvall for the help that he provided in the processing of the data and for help with the GIS problems. We also thank the diligent inventory staff of the NILS aerial photography inventory, Per Andersson, Sofia Andreassen, Merit Kindström, Anders Lindblad, Björn Nilsson, Maud Tyboni and Marianne Åkerholm.

#### **10. References**


9. **Melting of permafrost or palsas in alpine-subalpine zone:** Palsas and palsa melting are key indicators of climate and climate warming (Sollid & Sørbel, 1998; Zuidhoff, 2003). Increases of percent of water cover, expressed as thermokarst and melt lakes, may be an early indicator of permafrost melting (Callaghan et al., 2002). Permafrost thawing is likely to change the flow pathways taken by water as it moves through arctic and subarctic landscapes, and there may be increases in the content of dissolved organic

carbon in waterways and lakes in subarctic catchments (e.g., Lyon et al., 2009). 10. **Changes in bog processes: peat decomposition and accumulation, nutrient cycling, and greenhouse gases:** A large amount of research has been done concerning peat accumulation, decomposition, and release of CH4 and CO2 greenhouse gases relative to climate change (e.g., Strack et al., 2004). Decomposition rates increase with temperature and increased N availability, and hummock species decompose slower than hollow species (Limpens et al., 2003). There is a great deal of uncertainly, however, in predicting the effect of climate change on the carbon cycling in peatlands

We are grateful to Erik Cronvall for the help that he provided in the processing of the data and for help with the GIS problems. We also thank the diligent inventory staff of the NILS aerial photography inventory, Per Andersson, Sofia Andreassen, Merit Kindström, Anders

Allard, A., Nilsson, B., Pramborg, K., Ståhl, G. & Sundquist, S. (2005). *Manual for aerial photo* 

Allard, A., Löfgren, P. & Sundquist, S. (2004). *Skador på mark och vegetation i de svenska fjällen* 

Allard, A., Cronvall, E., Nilsson, B., Kindström, M., Pramborg, K., Ståhl, G. & Sundquist, S.

Breeuwer, A., Monique, M.P.D., Heijmans, B.J.M. Robroek, & Berendse, F. (2008). The effect

Callaghan, T.V., Crawford, R.M.M., Eronen, M., Hofgaard, A., Payette, S., Rees, W.G., Skre,

*interpretation in the National Inventory of Landscapes in Sweden, NILS, year 2003*. Swedish Univ. Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Department of Forest Resource

*till följd av barmarkskörning.* (*Mechanical damage of ground and vegetation in the Swedish Mountains as a consequence of vehicle driving during summer*), Swedish Univ. Agricultural Sciences, Department of Forest Resource Management, Work Report

(2010). *Instruktion för bildtolkningsarbetet vid Nationell Inventering av Landskapet i Sverige, NILS, år 2006*. *(Manual for aerial photo interpretation in the national inventory of landscapes in Sweden NILS, year 2006)*, Swedish Univ. Agricultural Sciences,

of temperature on growth and competition between Sphagnum species. *Oecologia*

O., Sveinbjörnsson, B., Vlassova, T.K. & Werkman, B.R. (2002). The dynamics of the tundra-taiga boundary: An overview, suggested coordinated and integrated

Lindblad, Björn Nilsson, Maud Tyboni and Marianne Åkerholm.

Department of Forest Resource Management.

approach to research. *Ambio Special Report,* No. 12:3-5.

Management and Geomatics.

(e.g., Moore et al., 1998).

**9. Acknowledgements** 

**10. References** 

No. 126,

156: 155-167.


Main Ecosystem Characteristics and Distribution of Wetlands

in Boreal and Alpine Landscapes in Northern Sweden Under Climate Change 217

Päivänen, J. & Paavilainen, E. (1996). Forestry on peatlands. In Vasander, H. (ed.), *Peatlands* 

Persson, G., Bärring, L., Kjellström, E., Strandberg, G. & Rummukainen, M. (2007). *Climate* 

Renman, G., 1989. *Barmarkskörning på fjällen. Effekter av körning med terränghjulingar på mark* 

Rydin, H., Sjörs, H., & Löfroth, M. (1999). Mires. *Acta Phytogeographica Suecica* 84:

Rydin, H. & Jeglum, J.K. (2006). *The Biology of Peatlands*. Oxford University Press.

Seppä, H. (1996). The morphological features of the Finnish peatlands. In Vasander, H. (ed.),

Sollid, J.L. & L. Sørbel. (1998). Palsa bogs as a climate indicator: examples from Dovrefjell,

Strack, M. (ed.) (2008). *Peatlands and climate change*. International Peat Cong. Tulamoor,

Strack, M., Waddington, J.M., & Tuittila, E.-S. (2004). Effect of water table drawdown on

Ståhl, G., Allard, A., Esseen, P.-A., Glimskär, A., Ringvall, A., Svensson, J., Sundquist, S.,

Svensson, J. (2002). Succession and dynamics of Norway spruce communities on Gulf of

Svensson, J., Allard, A., Christensen, P., Eriksson, Å. & Glimskär, A. (2009), Glimskär, A. &

Tarnocai, C. (2006). The effect of climate change on carbon in Canadian peatlands. *Global and* 

Warner, B.G. & Asada, T. (2006). Knowledge gaps and challenges in wetlands under climate

Zuidhoff, F.S. (2003). *Palsa growth and decay in Northern Sweden*. PhD Thesis, Uppsala Univ.,

*World Forestry Congress, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Conference Proc*. p.8.

northern peatland methane dynamics: Implications for climate change. *Global* 

Christensen, P., Gallegos Torell, Å., Högström, M., Lagerqvist, K., Marklund, L., Nilsson, B., & Inghe, O. 2011. National Inventory of Landscapes in Sweden (NILS) - scope, design, and experiences from establishing a multiscale biodiversity monitoring system. *Environmental Monitoring and Assessment* 173:

Bothnia rising coastlines. PhD Thesis, *Acta Universitatis Agriculturae Suecicae -* 

Sandring, S.. Landscape biodivesity monitoring in the Swedish NILS program. *XIII* 

change in Canada. In Batti, S., Lal, R., Apps, M.J. & Price, M.A. (eds.), *Climate change and managed ecosystems,* CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group, Boca Raton FL, pp.

Uppsala, Sweden. Comprehensive summaries of Uppsala Dissertations from the

*Peatlands in Finland*. Finnish Peatland Society, Helsinki, pp. 27-33.

*Biogeochem. Cycles* 18, GB4003, doi:10.1029/2003GB002209, 2004.

*indices for vulnerability assessments*. Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological

*och vegetation*. (*Vehicle driving during summer in the Swedish Mountains. Effects of driving with off-road vehicles on ground and vegetation)*, Swedish Environmental

*in Finland*. Finnish Peatland Society, Helsinki, pp.72-83.

Institute (SMHI), RMK No. 111. Norrköping.

Protection Agency, Report 3598.

southern Norway. *Ambio* 27(4:287-291).

91–112.

Oxford.

Ire.

579-595.

355-371.

*Silvestra* 239.

*Planetary Change* 53, pp. 222–232.

Faculty of Science and Technology 813.


Joosten, H. & Clarke, D. (2002). *Wise use of mires and peatlands – background and principle* 

Keltikangas, Laine, J., Puttonen, P. & Seppälä, K.M. 1986. Vuosina 1930-1978 metsäojitetut

Lennartsson, T. & Stighäll, K. (2005). *Landmiljöer i kust och skärgård* (*Land environment at* 

Limpens, J., Tomassen, H.B. & Berendse, F. (2003) Expansion of Sphagnum fallax in

Lind, P. & Kjellström, E. (2008). *Temperature and precipitation changes in Sweden; a wide range of* 

Linderholm, H.W. & Leine, M., (2004). An assessment of Twentieth Century tree-cover

Lyon, S.W., Destouni, G., Giesler, R., Humborg, C., Mörth, M., Seibert, J., Karlsson, J. &

catchment using recession flow analysis. *Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.* 13:595–604. Löfroth, M. (1991). *Våtmarkerna och deras betydelse*. (*The wetlands and their importance*),

Mauquoy, D., van Geel, B., Blaauw, M. & van der Plicht, J. (2002). Evidence from northwest

Mooney, H.A. (1991). Biological response to climate change: An agenda for research.

Moore, T.R., Roulet, N.T., & Waddington, J.M. (1998). Uncertainty in predicting the effect of

Morgan, J.L., Gergel, S.E. & Coops, N.C. (2010). Aerial photography: A rapidly evolving tool

National Wetlands Working Group. (1988). *Wetlands of Canada*. Environment Canada,

Nordic Council of Ministers. 1977. *Naturgeografisk regionindelning av Norden*. (*Natural geographic regions of the Nordic Countries*), NU–serien 1977 (34: 1–137). Noss, R.F. (1990). Indicators for monitoring biodiversity: a hierarchical approach.

Paavilainen, E. & Päivänen, J. (1995). *Peatland forestry: Ecology and principles. Ecological* 

Internatl. Peat Soc. Saarijärvi Offset Oy.

Institute, SMHI, RMK, No. 113.

activity. *Holocene* 12, 1-6.

40:229-245.

Ottawa.

*Ecological Applications* 1, 112-117.

*Conservation Biology* 4, 355-364.

*Studies*, Vol. III. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.

photograph analysis. *Wetlands* 24(2):357-363

Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, Report 3824.

for ecological management. *Bioscience* 60(1):47–59.

194.

5482.

pp 83-90.

*including a framework for decision-making*. Internatl. Mire Conserv. Group and

suot: Ojitusalueiden inventoinnin tuloksia. Abstract: Peatlands drained for forestry during 1930-1978: Results from field surveys of drained areas. *Acta For. Fenn*. 193:1-

*coasts and archipelagos*), Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, Report

bogs: striking the balance between N and P availability. *Journal of Bryology* 25,

*model-based projections for the 21st century*. Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological

changes on a southern Swedish peatland combining dendrochronology and aerial

Troch., P.A. (2009). Estimation of permafrost thawing rates in a sub-arctic

European bogs shows 'Little Ice Age' climatic changes driven by variations in solar

climate change on the carbon cycling of Canadian peatlands. *Climatic Change*


**10** 

*1,3Tanzania 2Norway* 

**Valley Bottom Wetlands Can Serve for** 

Pantaleo K.T. Munishi1, Nice N. Wilfred1, James S. Nshare1, Stein R. Moe2, Deo D. Shirima1 and Halima H. Kilungu3

*1Department of Forest Biology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro* 

*3Open University of Tanzania (OUT), Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences* 

Wetlands are among the world's most biologically productive ecosystems and rich in diversity of species and are very important storehouses of plant genetic material some of which are valuable resources for human wellbeing. The Great Ruaha River Basin covering about 6950ha forms one of the major and largest wetland systems composed of numerous ecologically and socio-economically important valley bottom wetlands in Tanzania. This study was conducted in the Ruaha River Basin to assess the contribution of the valley bottom wetlands to livelihoods and biodiversity conservation. Three sites were selected for ecological studies which include Uchindile with Mpombochi River and Isimani stream plus associated swamps, Idete with Idete River and associated swamps/streams and Mapanda with Mkungwe and Kinoga Rivers and associated swamps/streams. The five villages selected for the socio-economic study include Luganga, Matanana, Igowole, Kisada, Njiapanda and Nzivi villages within the little Ruaha sub catchment of the Great Ruaha River. The sites for ecological studies were stratified into broad vegetation types using existing topographic and land cover maps. This stratification gave several major vegetation types in which plant species were then assessed in systematically established temporary nested sample plots measuring 20 x 20 m. Each plant species encountered in each plot was identified and their percent cover estimated. For socio-economic studies the village register was used as a sampling frame, households were then randomly selected and a questionnaire administered to heads of the selected households. The questionnaire sought to get information on whether the household is involved in any kind of wetland utilization, socioeconomic activities undertaken in the wetlands, costs and revenues associated with wetlands utilization. Further to questionnaire survey PRA techniques including Focus Group Discussions (FGD) were used to supplement information from household surveys. The ecological data were summarized into tables showing a list of different vegetation types

**1. Introduction** 

**Both Biodiversity Conservation and** 

**Local Livelihoods Improvements** 

*2Department of Ecology and Natural Resource Management,* 

*Department of Tourism and Hospitality, Dar es Salaam* 

*Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Aas* 

Zuidhoff, F.S. & Kolstrup, E. (2000). Changes in palsa distribution in relation to climate change in Laivadalen, Northern Sweden, especially 1960-1997. *Permafrost and Periglacial Processes* 11:55-69.
