Forest Measurements

This text is intended for introductory courses in forest measurements. Emphasis is on the measurement of timber, with detailed coverage on measuring products cut from tree boles, measuring attributes of standing trees, inventorying volumes of forest stands, and predicting growth of individual trees and stands of trees. Background information on statistial methods, sampling designs, land measurements, and use of aerial photographs is also provided. An introduction to assessing range, wildlife, water, and recreation resources associated with forested lands comprises the last chapter. The measurement principles and techniques discussed apply to any inventory that includes assessment of the tree overstory, regardless of whether the inventory is conducted for timber, range, wildlife, watershed, recreation, or other management objectives.Follows a "how to" presentation style to give students a good understanding of how to apply the techniques instead of presenting detailed information about the underlying theory.|New material includes information coveragin electronic data recorders, electronic distance measurement, global positioning systems (GPS), and geographic information systems (GIS).|Some explanations assume a background in Calculus. However, these explanations are placed in separate sections which can be omitted for a less rigorous course.|Both English and SI units are used throughout.|New tree measurement topics include direct measurement of tree heights with extendable poles and measurement of tree crowns.|Answers to selected problems have been added to enable students to readily evaluate their comprehension of the material.|Additional sample test questions and answers are available via the Forest Measurements web site.