FORE141-23S2 (C) Semester Two 2023

Forest Growth and Measurements

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 17 July 2023
End Date: Sunday, 12 November 2023
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 30 July 2023
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 1 October 2023

Description

Tree measurement. Stand variables. Growth and yield modelling. Sampling. Forest Inventory. Log measurement. Surveying and area measurement. Mapping and aerial photography. Introduction to global positioning systems (GPS) and geographic information systems (GIS).

Effective management of forests requires the accurate measurement of their current status and the ability to forecast their future growth and development. Fundamental to forest management is the ability to answer such questions as:

• What is the current status of each forest stand?
• How will each stand grow in the future?
• How much volume will be available at time of harvest?
• How much volume is actually recovered when a stand is harvested?
• How much wood is delivered to each customer?
• What is the value of the wood harvested?

Forest measurement and forest stand growth modelling are employed by foresters to answer these questions and are instrumental in many applications, such as:

• Monitoring current forest condition and the sustainability of forest management
• Evaluating forest management options
• Scheduling stands for operations
• Predicting future wood availability from forests
• Planning the harvest of a forest
• Reconciling estimated volumes with recovered volumes
• Determining how much customers should be charged
• Appraising forest value

Learning Outcomes

Students will:
- understand principles and practice of forest growth and measurement;
- understand and properly use relevant terminology;
- correctly use measurement instruments to obtain accurate data about trees and forests;
- correctly apply simple surveying techniques, GPS and GIS; and
- correctly analyse forest growth and measurement data to address typical forest management questions.

Lecturer

Bruce Manley

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage 
Case Study Report 1 15%
Case Study Report 2 10%
GIS Lab Reports/Quizzes 15%
Surveying Portfolio 10%
End-of-Year Exam 50%

Textbooks / Resources

There are no required or recommended texts. All learning material is provided in class.

Notes

Compulsory Labs (Computer & Field)

An important component of the course is applying concepts and techniques of forest measurement. Consequently a pass in this paper requires a satisfactory performance in the computer laboratories and field work.  A satisfactory performance means attendance at all computer labs & field labs and handing in all required lab reports.

Field labs will be conducted RAIN or SHINE.  You must come properly equipped for cold and wet weather.  Bring rain gear and warm layers of clothing.  Be sure to wear proper field boots and a hard hat. The department will provide high visibility vests and all necessary field equipment.

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $1,161.00

International fee $5,381.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see School of Forestry .

All FORE141 Occurrences

  • FORE141-23S2 (C) Semester Two 2023