An Efficient Approach to Combine Remote Sensing and Sample Based Inventory for Forest Enterprises in Transition to Near-Natural Forest Management

Abstract

This paper is based on results of a study in a state forest enterprise in Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. This study was motivated from both introducing new technological options, and the necessity to adapt and change the inventory and monitoring system within forest management due to developments and changes in the silvicultural concepts and changing management objectives (ecology, bio-diversity, stability, effective cost management, organisational changes). The paper focuses on the aspect of silvicultural concepts. The developed and evaluated system, can be used both in age class forest, in forests in transition and in near-natural forests. The system was tested together with some options with respect to remote sensing data and analysis methods. The finally proposed concept consists of five information levels, that are useful for long-term-planning and ongoing management: (i) an ortho-image-map based on colour infrared photos, (ii) mapping of single objects of high interest, (iii) stand mapping and description, (v) reliable overall and structural data for groups of stands (iv) reliable overall and structural data for the whole enterprise with (iv) and (v) based on a sample based continuos forest inventory. For the estimating procedure within the sample based continuos forest inventory a stratification estimation technique, that reduces the estimation errors compared to simple estimation, is developed. It is demonstrated, that the system is highly cost efficient and of high information quality at the same time.Keywordsforest management inventoryremote sensingaerial photographysystematic samplingstratification