International Journal of Forestry and Horticulture (IJFH)

Volume 1, Issue 2, July - September 2015, PP 33-40

ISSN 2454-9487
www.arcjournals.org

Role of Forest Inventory in Sustainable Forest Management: A

Review
Dau, J.H.
Department of Forest Production and Products, College of Forestry and Fisheries,
Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi-Nigeria.
daujaphson@gmail.com
Mati A. Dawaki, S.A.
Department of Forestry Technology, Audu Bako Department of Forestry Technology Audu Bako
College of Agriculture, Dambatta College of Agriculture Dambatta, Kano State
Kano State- Nigeria Nigeria

Abstract: An accurate assessment of forest and tree resources is needed and very essential for formulating
sound forest management strategies and decision-making (sustainable management).Inventory is central to
forest management and it helps to address forest degradation and deforestation while increasing indirect
benefits to people and the environment; without forest inventory, forest management would not be sustainable
since there would not be sufficient information for planning and implementation. The key role of forest inventory
in sustainable forest management cannot be under-rated and includes provisions of information used to develop
Predictive Equations (models) used for decision-making and sustainable forest management; provides
information for site management, silviculture (thinning), fixing of rotation age, timber harvests; provides
information for site quality assessment (site index), et cetera. For a sustainable world forest and its resources to
be managed as meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs. However, there is need for information on forest resources and wildlife.
Inventory which has been a vital tool in the management of forests for sustainable production through the
information gathered, help the foresters to establish and managed forests properly with ease for sustainable
development to mankind. Forest inventory information is obtained from measurements of individual trees or
stand used in assessing tree and forest resources; provides qualitative and quantitative information on extent,
state, use, management of the resources and enhances forest planning. The information may be obtained from
measurements taken from ground or on remote sensing imagery.
Keywords: Forest; Inventory; Sustainable; Management; Information; Equations (models).

1. INTRODUCTION
Protection and rational utilization of natural resources become more and more important in order to
meet the increasing demand for wood raw material, Tourism and Non-Timber Forest Products
(NTFPs). Among the natural resources, forests are important not only as a source of wood but as the
means of protecting the hills thereby regulating stream flow, water shed protection, and reducing the
rate of soil erosion, for tourism, NTFPs provision, wildlife protection among many others, (Zerihun
and Yemir, 2013). Maximum advantages and benefits from forests can only be secured provided that
the existing forests are properly managed. Sound forest management depends on the quantity and
quality of information available on the forest.
Forest management is concerned with efficient planning so that the forest provides the greatest
possible benefits such as productive forest resources, watersheds protection, tourism, NTFPs, wildlife
protection, environmental protection, et cetera to the present and future generations. Forest
Management as an art and science implies various degrees of deliberate human intervention, ranging
from actions aimed at safeguarding and maintaining the forest ecosystem and its functions, to favoring
specific socially or economically valuable species or groups of species for the improved production of
goods and services.
Basic data and information is required if a renewable natural resource such as a forest is to be
managed in a reasonable and sustainable manner. This information is largely obtained through forest
inventories, (Zerihun and Yemir, 2013).
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Dau, J.H. et al.

1.1. Sustainable Forest Management

The sustainable of forest management has become an issue in the past decade, out of concerns of both
overexploiting the resource (Powers, 2001; Robert, 2003), and climate change effects to mankind
(Schwalm and Ek, 2001). Sustainable Forest management is difficult to define as reported by
Amaranthus, (1997) and, when defined, is hard to measure.
According to Global Environmental Facility, 2013 (GEF), noted that there is no universally agreed-on
definition for Sustainable Forest Management (SFM). The GEF fully supports the definition, which
states: ―Sustainable forest management as a dynamic and evolving concept that aims to maintain and
enhance the economic, social and environmental value of all types of forests, for the benefit of present
and future generations.‖
According to Robert (2003), sustainable in its broadest sense implies an ability for the productivity
and ecological integrity of the forest to be maintained in perpetuity. This idea is conditioned on two
different yet interacting scales as noted by Robert which include: sustainable over what time period,
and over what size area? Wilson and Wang (1999) defined sustainable forestry as comprising a host
of management regimes to maintain and enhance the long-term health and integrity of forest
ecosystems and forest-dependent communities, while providing ecological, economic, social, and
cultural opportunities for the benefit of present and future generations. This definition included the
biological, sociological, political, and economic factors (Perry and Amaranthus, 1997; Wilson and
Wang, 1999; Robert 2003).
However, concerns from sustained forest yield to sustainable forest management was first
internationally initiated by the Brundt land Report on sustainable development in 1987 (World
Commission on Environment and Development, 1987) and later taken as an idea at the Earth Summit
in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, with the adoption of the Forest Principles (Tittler et al., 2001; Robert
2003). In response, several initiatives and international agreements have been forged to attempt to
quantify broad-scale sustainable (Mendoza and Prabhu, 2000; Tittler et al., 2001), such as the
Montreal Accord (Mihajlovich, 2001).
American Forest & Paper Association (AF and PA) (1999), looked at sustainable forestry as meeting
the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own
needs; they considered responsible forest practices to be sustainable forestry practices that are both
economically and environmentally responsible.
1.2. Aims of Sustainable Forest Management
Sustainable forest management addresses forest degradation and deforestation while increasing direct
benefits to people and the environment. At the social level, sustainable forest management contributes
to livelihoods, income generation and employment. At the environmental level, it contributes to
important services such as carbon sequestration and water, soil and biodiversity conservation,
(www.fao.org/forestry/sfm/85084/en..........2nd April, 2015).
1.3. Forest Inventory
Forest inventory serves as a very important tool in forest management; it provides the data for
planning, monitoring, evaluation, research, growth and yield, timber sale. It is an attempt to describe
quantity, quality and stocking density (diameter distribution) of forest trees and many characteristics
of land upon which trees are growing towards the efficient and sustainable management of the forest
ecosystem.
Zerihun and Yemir, (2013), reported that forest inventory is defined in different ways by different
authors, but essentially with more or less the same meaning. Forest inventory: is a tool that provides
the information about size and shape of the area as well as qualitative and/or quantitative information
on the growing stock within the forest ecosystem. Forest inventories are designed to measure the
extent, quantity, composition, and condition of forest resources, (Kangas et al., 2006). Therefore,
Forest inventory is the systematic collection of data and forest information for assessment or analysis;
it is a systematic collection of data because there are procedures or steps to follow during data
collection to ensure accuracy and precision.
Michael et al., (2008), stated that ―support of sustainable forest management, up-to-date forest
inventories are required to assess the composition, structure, and distribution of forest vegetation that,

International Journal of Forestry and Horticulture (IJFH) Page 34

Role of Forest Inventory in Sustainable Forest Management: A Review

in turn, can be used as base information for management decisions‖. He also reported that at the
operational level, forest inventories are used for harvest planning, road layout, assessment of growing
stock, and planning of silvicultural activities. At the strategic level, forest inventories provide data for
long-term forest management plans and, in concert, support a multitude of decisions relevant to forest
protection and wildlife management.
1.4. Types Of Forest Inventory for Sustainable Forest Management
According to Zerihun and Yemir (2013), three broad classes of forest inventories can be considered
based on the depth of the investigation:
 Reconnaissance Inventory: this class of inventory is based upon an exploratory investigation of
the forest population. The information derived is primarily intended for preliminary management
decisions. The inventory data are summarized on a regional or total area basis, (Vaardman, 2008).
 Management Inventory: this inventory represents a low intensity investigation of a large tract of
forested area; for example, a forest reserve. The information produced is primarily intended for
broad-based management decisions, allowable cut calculations and long range planning.
 Operational Inventory: an operational inventory is based upon an intensive investigation of a
relatively small area. The information produced is primarily intended for use in short term or
―operational‖ planning, e.g. related to the harvesting of timber volumes within local cutting
compartments or logging units.
2. ROLES OF INVENTORY IN SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT
Inventory is focus to forest management; without forest inventory, forest management would not be
sustainable since there would not be sufficient data for planning or decision-making and
implementation. Forest inventory assesses tree and forest resources, it also provides qualitative and
quantitative information on extent, state, use, management of the resources and enhances forest
planning; it promotes sustainable forest management through the provision of information about the
forest characteristics.
2.1. Forest Inventory Provides Data or Information about Forest Estates
Wenger (2013) reported that forest inventory provides vital information about forest estates (biotic
and abioti ) which is very useful for sustainable forest management; this information includes:
 forest growing conditions
 standing timber volume, (diameter and height)
 forest stock (estimate qualitative and quantitative) resources
 resource planning
 estimate the annual growth & net worth statement in the forest
 forest composition and topographic information.
 wildlife population
 tourism potentials
 forest hydrology.
 forest species (vegetation and wildlife) composition
 assessment of potential fire hazards and the risk of fire.
 assessment of carbon sequestration of the forest.
 assessment of Non-timber forest products (NTFPs), etc.
2.2. Forest Inventory Provides Data used to Develop Predictive Equations used for Sustainable
Forest Management (Figures 1 And 2).
Predictive equations assist forest researchers and managers in sustainable forests (include the ability
to predict future yields and to explore silvicultural options). It provides an efficient way to prepare
International Journal of Forestry and Horticulture (IJFH) Page 35
Dau, J.H. et al.

resource forecasts, enhance the ability of foresters to explore management options and silvicultural
alternatives. For example, foresters may wish to know the long-term effect on both the forest and on
future harvests, of a particular silvicultural decision, such as changing the cutting limits for
harvesting. For example, with growth and yield equations, they can examine the likely outcomes, both
with the intended and alternative cutting limits, and can make their decision objectively. The process
of developing a growth equation may also offer interesting new insights into stand dynamics.
Inventory equations of various kinds have been very useful to forest managers for sustainable forest
management. The most basic equations provide an estimate of how much forest resources are
available, what it may be worth on the market and how it would be sustained from the present to
future generation.
16
H = 5.2109Ln(D) - 2.4154
R2 = 0.7316
14

12

10
Height (m)

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
dbh (cm)

Figure1. Height and volume predictive equation for management purposes.

(a ) (b)
50 50

45 45 ln (Y)FC (ST)= -0 .6 0 + 1 .1 4 ln (X)

ln (Y)FC (FT)= -2 .4 8 + 1 .1 4 ln (X)
ln (Y) = -0 .1 1 2 + 1 .0 6 2 ln (X) ln (Y)SC (ST) = -1 .7 1 + 0 .9 8 ln (X)
40 2
40
Ad j. R = 0 .9 7 9 6 ln (Y)SC (FT) = -3 .2 2 + 0 .9 8 ln (X)
2
Ad j. R = 0 .9 5 3 2
35 35

30 30 = FC (ST)
Basal area (m ha )
Basal area (m ha )

-1
-1

= FC (FT)
25 25 = SC (ST)
2
2

= SC (FT)
20 20

15 15

10 10

5 5

0 0

-5 -5
5 10 15 20 25 30 5 10 15 20 25 30
A ge (y e a rs) Age (y ears)

Figure2. Stand Basal area predictive equation for forest plantation management
Source: Onyekwelu, (2001).
Note: Sometimes, the interest is not to compare variables but to examine the trend of a variable given
the other variables or to predict the value of one variable given the value of the others.
2.3. Forest Inventory Provides Information for Site Management, Silviculture Decision- Making,
Fixing of Rotation Age, Timber Harvests, Etc (Figure 3 And 4).
65

60

55
Volume (m3ha-1yr-1)

50

45

40

35 CAI
MAI
30

25
5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25
Age (years)

Figure3. Relationship between Current Annual Increment (CAI) and mean annual volume increment (MAI) in
Gmelina arborea plantations in Nigeria
International Journal of Forestry and Horticulture (IJFH) Page 36
Role of Forest Inventory in Sustainable Forest Management: A Review

Figure4. Mean annual increment (MAI) and Current Annual Increment (CAI) models for forest plantations
management
Source: Onyekwelu, (2014), (Unpublished)
CAI: amount of wood (in m3ha-1yr-1) added to a tree/forest stand in a given year. (i.e. Yield of current
year minus yield of previous year.
MAI: is the average amount of volume accumulated each year over the lifetime of the tree/stand. It is
determined by dividing the total accumulated volume by the number of years it took to accumulate the
volume.
Mean annual increment (MAI) and Current Annual Increment (CAI) models for decision making in
forest plantations management also serve as guide in making thinning decisions for species
plantations in sustainable forest management; the MAI and CAI models used in sustainable forestry to
determine the time of first and subsequent thinning, when thinning is effective and not. MAI provides
the best estimate of the maximum production rate that can be sustained by a combination of species
and site quality, provided that stands are not replaced much before or after maximum MAI age. The
peak of MAI is key for determining how much can be harvested annually if a forest is managed to
produce a sustained-yield of timber and how long the rotations should be to maximize production. If
the CAI of a given stand exceeds the simultaneous MAI, this means that the stand has not yet reached
the culmination of MAI, the stand cannot be harvested. The point that CAI equals MAI is called the
culmination of MAI, it is the point of maximum volume production potentials of a site. This point
should be the ideal rotation age if the objective of management is maximum volume production (e.g.
fuelwood, pulpwood, etc). Thus, the stand should be harvested at culmination age if the objective of
management is fuelwood or pulpwood. However, where the objective of management is timber or
veneerlog, the stand should only be harvested at culmination age if the trees have exceeded minimum
size requirement and if there is a market. Where the trees have not exceeded minimum size
requirement, they are allowed to continue growing beyond culmination age. Thinning should be
administered between canopy closure and the culmination of MAI. Beyond culmination age, the trees
only react minimally to thinning.
2.4. Forest Inventory Provides Data for Site Quality Assessment (Site Index) (Figure 4). Site
Index is the timber production potentials of a site for a particular species at a given index age. .
I to V are the site classes for Nauclea diderrichii plantations in omo forest reserve, Nigeria.

Figure5. Site index curves for Nauclea diderrichii plantations constructed

Source: Onyekwelu, (2003).
International Journal of Forestry and Horticulture (IJFH) Page 37
Dau, J.H. et al.

Site quality assessment is the evaluation of innate productive capacity of an area of forest land for one
or more tree species. Site quality assessment is very important in forest management because a site
could support one species excellently while supporting another species poorly. The oldest, commonest
and most widely used technique for evaluating site quality or productivity of even-aged stands is site
index (Onyekwelu, 2005). Site index equations are essential elements of quantitative tools in forest
management (Teshome & Petty 2000). It can be evaluated mathematically or graphically. Information
from sites index curves is used to manage current and future indigenous and exotic specie plantations
as observed by Onyekwelu, (2003 and 2005).
The results obtained from site index assessments pave way(s) for large-scale plantations for
sustainable forest management of Opepe species. A good information or knowledge of species growth
and yield is necessary for the formulation and implementation of sustainable forest management
plans, especially silvicultural decision-making processes (time of first and subsequent thinning). The
site index curve developed through forest inventory would be useful in identifying suitable sites for
large-scale establishment of specie plantations; to quantify its growth and yield on various site
conditions.
Site index curves usually reveal the best sites for future specific special plantations. For example, in
Omo Forest Reserve were site classes I, II and III due to their above average and average dominant
height development (Figure 4) can be used for opepe plantation establishment as much as possible,
while site classes IV and V should not be used for Opepe plantation establishment since height
development of the species within these sites was poor, Onyekwelu (2005). For example, Teshome
and Petty (2000) used site index curve to assess a Cupressus lusitanica plantation in Ethiopia, they
recommended the first thinning to be carried out at the attainment of dominant height of 11 m for site
classes 27, 21 and 12 at ages five, seven and 13 years respectively. While, the thinning schedules
developed for Opepe plantations as recommended by Dupuy and Mille (1993) and Onyekwelu (2001)
indicated that first, second and third thinnings, should be administered at the attainment of average
dominant heights of 13, 17 and 22 m respectively, for sustainable forest management to mankind.
3. CONCLUSION
Forest Inventory information use for forest decision-making (policies) and management, fixing of
rotation age, site management, timber harvests, predictive equations and silvilculture practice enable
forest managers to determine the economic feasibility of timber harvest and NTFPs. Predictive
equations/models give better and reliable information for estimates of forest timber and NTFPs,
include other forest characteristics. Forest inventory provide equations or information for growth and
yield prediction which tend to portrait a better pictures of a forest and its characteristics in a more
distant future. These equations help give the background in which a stand-level forest management
decision is made, giving a forester a better understanding of the implications one action has on other
areas.
Forest inventory as a vital tool in the management of forests and its resources for sustainable
production and management through the gathering of information which helps the foresters to
establish and managed forest estates properly with ease for sustainable development to mankind.
Therefore, forest inventories information has been used in forest fire preventative actions, awareness
and also management information.
4. RECOMMENDATION
However, more emphasis should be placed on frequent assessment of forest and wildlife resources to
ensure update information of our forest estates/plantations especially indigenous tree species in
Africa; to avoid extinctions and to control the rate of deforestation which has a great impact on the
lives of future generation.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We thank Prof. Onyekwelu, J.C. and Mr. Agera, S.I.N for their support and contributions; the Staff of
Audu Bako College of Agriculture, Kano (Nigeria) are highly acknowledged for their kind support in
this review work.
International Journal of Forestry and Horticulture (IJFH) Page 38
Role of Forest Inventory in Sustainable Forest Management: A Review

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AUTHORS’ BIOGRAPHY
Dau, J.H.: this author is currently undergoing his MSc. on Forest Biometrics and Mensuration at
University of Agriculture Makurdi (Nigeria). He obtained his BSc. Forestry, Wildlife and Range
Management (2011). He also earned National Diploma in forestry Technology, ATAP Bauchi
(Nigeria) with vast experience in Forest establishment and management. His main areas of research
interest are: Forest Establishment and Management, Forest Assessment, Analysis and Modeling,
Environmental Management, Environmental Impact Assessment, Forest and Climate change,
Assessment of Biomass and Carbon Sequential. He served with college of Agriculture Kano
(Nigeria). He is also very active in field trips/ work (field techniques). He has received polytechnic
Award (2005), College Award (2012) and Community Service Award (2013) in Nigeria. He author
research articles published in reputable Journals.
Mati A.: this author is a senior field technician with wide experience and expertise in forest plantation
and management, Nursery establishment and forest inventory. He is currently undergoing post
graduate diploma in Social and Environmental Forestry at University of Agriculture Makurdi
(Nigeria). He earned Higher National Diploma in Forestry Technology at College of Forestry, Jos
(Nigeria). He is currently working with Audu Bako College of Agriculture, Kano (Nigeria). He also
served in different sectors in the Ministry of Environment and Natural resources (Nigeria) as forest
Technician and Instructor. He featured in different publications and research articles published in
reputable national and international Journals. His main areas of research interest are forest plantation
and management, Climate change, Nursery techniques and establishment, silviculture.
Dawaki, S.A.: obtained Tech Forestry and Wood Technology at University of Technology Yola
(Nigeria). He is undergoing Master of Forest Biology and Silviculture at University of Agriculture
Makurdi (Nigeria). He has great skill and expertise in forest mensuration, shelterbelt establishment
and management, forest biology and silviculture, environmental Impact Assessment. He has many
research articles published in reputable Journals within and outside Nigeria.

International Journal of Forestry and Horticulture (IJFH) Page 40