Procedures for monitoring the growth of forest plantations, principally in the tropics, are presented. These include methods of setting up a system of both, temporary and permanent sample plots located objectively within managed plantations and replicated field experiments. The experiments test the effects of silvicultural management on tree- and stand-growth patterns. Together the information collected provides the basis for the management of the plantation (in the form of volume and yield tables and functions) and for detecting site change, for example when applied to related studies on tree water use and nutrient cycling. Methods for collection of data in the field and its processing using small personal computers is suggested. Recommendations for the assessment of above- und below-ground phytomass production are given in addition to procedures for measuring and recording the conventional tree and stand variables. While it is assumed that the reader has some familiarity with forest mensuration and sampling techniques, attention is drawn to particular sources of error that are likely to arise in practice. Chapter one details the scope of the manual and the objectives of a growth monitoring system in forest plantations. Chapter two is an elementary summary of the steps to be taken in planning a continuous forest inventory. Chapter three gives details on how to lay out the different types of sample plots in the field with step by step instructions on how to record the measurements and observations. This is followed by details of summarizing the data file, with information on spreadsheets, databases and other packages. The final chapter argues that a number of complimentary controlled experiments are required to test the effects of stand density, fertilization and other treatments in order to understand the results of the continuous forest inventory correctly. Some model "experimental" plans are provided. Model field forms are included as an aid memoire to planners of continuous inventory and monitoring programmes.
565 (Methode der Anlage und Aufnahme von ständigen Probeflächen) 524.6 (Allgemeine Aufnahmen von Wäldern und Waldgebieten. Stichprobenerhebungen. Schätzung) 560 (Allgemeines (einschl. Stichprobenverfahren in der Zuwachsermittlung))
