Forest measurement, monitoring and forecasting

 

This programme provides the tools and models for forecasting timber production and forest development at forest and national level under a variety of silvicultural options.  The outputs are fundamental to timber production forecasting required to lead investment in wood processing as well as being a key component of research-orientated models developed by Forest Research.  However, the programme extends to quantifying and modelling the impacts on the physical environment of forests and of the impacts on the properties of timber as a material.  It is highly relevant to ‘life cycle analysis’ of forest products, to studies of carbon sequestration by forests under different management regimes and to biomass forecasts (for renewable energy development).  This aspect of the research is closely linked to the modelling studies in the Climate change programme.  It also contributes to market development through providing Woodland Assessment Surveys programme with the modelling system for the national forecasts of production.  Key outputs are the procedures, tables and growth models used by the UK forestry industry.

The Forestry Commission sample plot databank provides the largest series of individual tree growth data for forest tree species in Great Britain with records dating back to 1910.  The Forest measurement, monitoring and forecasting programme manages this national network of permanent and temporary sample plots representing a wide range of species, sites, yield classes and silvicultural treatments.  The sample plots provide the basic information (data and analysis) necessary for the development of yield models used for planning, inventory and production forecasting purposes.  New priorities are the data needed to support silvicultural practice in mixtures and continuous cover management of the main commercial species affected.  A new strategy has recently been developed for the distribution and retention of plots so that they provide better support for policy needs, including those related to climate change. Critical data gaps are being assessed to see how they can be supported from a wide range of other experimental plots and records, as well as by new/replacement plots and tree ring analysis.

Development and promotion of new and improved methods of estimation and measurement are also included in this programme.  The primary focus is on measuring the volume and quality of standing and felled timber.  A current priority is to improve the standards of timber volume estimation and measurement by revised guidance, and also to extend this to electronic methods of measurement now used in the forest and at wood processing facilities so that they can be used with confidence by the trade.  It also involves input to standards, and the provision of advice to regulators and industry practitioners faced with measurement problems.

The programme also covers the development and production of the National Private Sector Timber availability Forecasts for Scotland, England and Wales.  The latest forecast was published in April 2001, but there are many other calls for bespoke forecasts.  Working in collaboration with the Timber properties and other biometrics programmes the aim is to enhance these forecasts by the inclusion of information on the timber quality to be expected. The Private Sector Forecast System is currently being enhanced in order to provide whole tree biomass estimates in addition to timber.

Progress reports

Annual summary of research - Forest Growth Sample Plots

Annual summary of research - Timber Measurement

Commissioned reports

No reports available at this time