SKOG205 Resource Mapping and Inventory

1. The main elements of forest planning. Motivation for why we need to do forest mensuration.

2. General information on measurement, estimation, errors and uncertainty.

3. Mensuration for single-trees. Diameter, height, bark, growth in diameter and height, age, stem form, and volume.

4. Mensuration for stands (and sample plots). Diameter distribution, mean diameter, relascope, mean height and dominant height. Variations within stands and stand volume estimation. Random, systematic and subjective sampling. Growth prediction. Site quality.

5. Mensuration for forests. Area determination. Stratified sampling. Field based inventories. Inventories based on field- and laser scanner data.

6. Examples of problems related to mapping of non-stationary populations.

7. Photogrammetry.

Knowledge:

The student should be able to explain how to use tools and apply methods for calculation of forest variables. The student should also be able to explain which sources of uncertainty that affect the accuracy of registrations and calculations. The student should have basic knowledge about the challenges related to inventories of other goods than timber resources. The student should be able to explain how a modern forest inventory based on laser scanner data is performed.

Skills:

The student should be able to apply equipment for forest mensuration in order to get sufficient data for a field-based forest inventory. The student should also be able to perform calculations of parameters related to single trees, forest stands, and forests.

General competence:

The student should have obtained knowledge about how estimates of area-based nature resources can be obtained.