Forest Mensuration: Tree Measurement

One who works with forest must measure it. He may be a forester, land owner, forestry student, researcher, scientist, contractor, laborer, sawyer, owner of wood based industries, trader involved in business of forest produces, transporter of forest produce, or forest owner. Knowledge of tree measurement is required during forest produce being felled, converted, sold, purchased, transported, used, or put for some research analysis. Because of this reason, Forest Mensuration is one of the important forestry subject prescribed in the curriculum of forestry education and training for Indian Forest Services and State Forest Services probationers, as well as for the basic training of frontline staff at the forest colleges/schools. It is also a component of forestry that is being offered as one of the subjects, at various agricultural and forestry universities in India and abroad.It is observed that knowledge of mathematics is a prerequisite for Forest Mensuration however majority of forestry students have an aptitude for biological rather than mathematical sciences. This is one of the reasons why it is difficult for students to understand Forest Mensuration.This simple, handy and practical book has been written keeping the above facts in mind. The book is an attempt by the author to help the students to understand the concept, in a simple and understandable form. The book is based on the several years of teaching experience of the author at the State Forest Service College, Dehradun.The book covers measurement of tree attributes like diameter, girth, height, volume, form, tree crown, biomass, age, bark and increment in detail. In addition, the book covers various solved numericals based on practical problems to stimulate the independent thinking among the tree lover, about this important branch of forestry. The portion on Mensuration exercises is an attempt to standardize the various exercises, and to generate the added interest among the students to understand the subject.The book would have a great utility for all the field level officers who are engaged in preparation of inventory of the tree resources. The book would be a very useful reference material for the working plan offices, timber depot, various forestry training institutes, universities where forestry is being taught and schools where environment study is one of the upcoming subject.