Estimating dead wood during national forest inventories: a review of inventory methodologies and suggestions for harmonization

Christopher W. W. Woodall; Jacques Rondeux; Pieter J. Verkerk; Göran Ståhl

Treesearch

Estimating dead wood during national forest inventories: a review of inventory methodologies and suggestions for harmonization

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Christopher W. W. Woodall, Jacques Rondeux, Pieter J. Verkerk, Göran Ståhl

Year:

2009

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Northern Research Station

Source:

Environmental Management. 44: 624?631.

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Abstract

Efforts to assess forest ecosystem carbon stocks, biodiversity, and fire hazards have spurred the need for comprehensive assessments of forest ecosystem dead wood (DW) components around the world. Currently, information regarding the prevalence, status, and methods of DW inventories occurring in the world's forested landscapes is scattered. The goal of this study is to describe the status, DW components measured, sample methods employed, and DW component thresholds used by national forest inventories that currently inventory DW around the world. Study results indicate that most countries do not inventory forest DW. Globally, we estimate that about 13% of countries inventory DW using a diversity of sample methods and DW component definitions.

Keywords

inventory, standing dead wood, downed dead wood, harmonization, forest

Citation

Woodall, Christopher W.; Rondeux, Jacques; Verkerk, Pieter J.; Ståhl, Göran 2009. Estimating dead wood during national forest inventories: a review of inventory methodologies and suggestions for harmonization. Environmental Management. 44: 624?631.