Rapid site assessment

A rapid site assessment (RSA) determines the existing potential for natural forest regeneration and identifies limiting factors that preventing natural forest regeneration. It is a vital step in restoration planning. It helps with deciding on an overall restoration strategy and, if tree planting is needed, it can be used to calculate the number of trees and species to plant. 

Rapid site assessment

Recognizing which of the five stages of degradation has been reached at a site will determine which broad restoration strategy will be most suitable. A more detailed site assessment is then needed to determine the existing potential for natural forest regeneration and to identify factors that could be limiting it. These parameters will define which activities should be undertaken and the intensity of the effort necessary at each site (and hence the labor requirements and costs). The project plan can then begin to take shape.

How to do?

To carry out a rapid site assessment (RSA), you will need: a compass, a topographic map, a global positioning system (GPS) (or app on your phone), a camera, plastic bags, 2-m metal poles, a piece of string with a mark exactly 5 m from the end and datasheets on a clip-board with a pencil. 

Invite all stakeholders (particularly local people) to participate in the site survey and begin by marking the boundaries of the site on a map and recording the GPS coordinates. Next, survey natural regeneration along a transect across the site at its widest point. Select the starting point and decide on a compass bearing to follow for the line. Establish sample circles 5-m radius along the transect at regular intervals.

What kind of data should be recorded? 

Using the data sheet below, record the following in each circular sample plot:

1. The number and species of natural regenerants (tree sapling >50 cm tall, adult trees and live tree stumps (coppicing).
2. The density of ground cover/weeds/herbaceous plant
3. The evidence of forest fire or castle

After the RSA

Initial restoration activities should aim to:

• counteract the factors recorded that impede forest regeneration (e.g. fire, cattle, hunting of seed dispersers etc.);
• maintain or increase the number of natural regenerants to 3,100/ha (if density is already >3100, plant few or no tree, only to increase tree species richness);
• increase tree-species richness to about 10% of that of the target climax forest.

Select the broad restoration strategy to match the recorded conditions and start to plan management tasks, including protective measures (e.g. livestock exclusion and/or fire prevention), the balance between tree planting and nurturing natural regeneration, the types of tree species to plant, the need for soil improvement and so on.

Full instructions on how to perform an RSA are in Chapter 3 of “Restoring Tropical Forest: a practical guide”.