Foliar Browse Index field manual
Introduction
The Foliar Browse Index method uses ground-based assessment of permanently marked plant indicator species to determine the impact of possums on forest trees/mistletoes and their response to possum control. Published 2014.Download the publication
Foliar Browse Index field manual (PDF, 3,540K)
The manual includes these datasheets that you may want to download separately:
- Foliage cover score sheet (PDF, 160K)
- Mistletoe datasheet (PDF, 54K)
- Indicator species datasheet (PDF, 51K)
Summary
Possum control in New Zealand is necessary to protect the biodiversity of native forests and other communities. Measuring the results and outcomes of this work is an important aspect of control programmes and helps managers plan and determine the efficacy of their work.
The Foliar Browse Index (FBI) method uses ground-based assessment of permanently marked plant indicator species to determine the impact of possums on forest trees/mistletoes and their response to possum control. It has been used extensively around New Zealand since its development in the late 1990s.
This updated field manual incorporates changes and improvements to the method based on the knowledge that has been gained over the last decade.