Common Tree Defnitions for National Forest Inventories in Europe

Helsinki

2009

S. 303–321

Artikel aus einer ZeitschriftUnselbständiges Werk

200156324

At the international level, various defnitions have been established for the compilation and publication of forest resources assessment results over the last decade. These international defnitions frequently rely on terms that are not precisely specifed for inventory purposes and do not completely cover the requirements arising from the application of National Forest Inventory (NFI) data. Also, with respect to conventional topics such as forest area and growing stock estimation, several terms and expressions referring to individual trees are not, or are only vaguely, defned until now. Since the individual tree is the basic element of any forest resources assessment, the clarifcation of tree-related terms is an important part of COST Action E43 to harmonise common reporting of National Forest Inventories. Based on a review of existing defnitions and on the requirements for harmonised reporting, common tree-related defnitions are established. One objective of this study is to refne and enhance the applicability of available tree and shrub defnitions, in particular with regard to the distinction between trees and shrubs. The study also focuses on the parts or “elements” of trees and on the distinction between these elements as they are of particular importance in growing stock and biomass defnitions. Furthermore, several defnitions for tree characteristics such as “living” and “standing”, as well as tree variables such as height, length, diameter at breast height, and crown projection area are adjusted with respect to NFI purposes. A concluding discussion refects upon the reviewed, refned and newly established defnitions. The defnitions presented in this paper provide a frm basis for a common set of harmonised reference defnitions developed by COST Action E43 and contribute to the precise and consistent use of terms.