Angle-count sampling method for estimating forest stand volume – a practical approach (original) (raw)

The forest stand is defined as a group of trees occupying a specific area, which is sufficiently uniform in species composition, age arrangement and condition as to be distinguishable from the forest on adjoining areas. It represents the unit for which one and the same silvicultural treatment is prescribed. Quantitative information about stand or forest compartments, therefore, relates directly to silvicultural and management decisions. Stand measurements provide information about age, mean diameter, mean and top height, stand density, stand mixture and stand composition, volume and biomass, site index, site class or yield class, present and future growth, stand quality and vitality as well as yield (Bell and Dilworth, 1990; Laar and Akca, 2007; Veperdi, 2011). Point (angle count) sampling is a method of selecting trees to be tallied on the basis of their sizes rather than by their frequency of occurrence. Sample points, somewhat analogous to plot centers, are located within a fores...