Forest Inventories

Catalog description

Application of forest mensuration, mapping, GIS, sampling, and statistical analysis to the inventory of forest resources. FORT 110 Forest Inventories (3) FORT 110 is a 3-credit, field-lab-oriented course that is a continuation of FORT 105 (Forest Mensuration) and builds upon other forestry, math, and English courses. Students will apply the principles of tree measurements to the inventory of forest resources. The major inventory systems will be covered as well as sampling techniques and statistical analysis of data.The management and stewardship of forest resources depends upon the collection, analysis, and conveyance of quantitative and qualitative data that describe forest resources. The data is used to make informed, science-based management decisions concerning the growth, health, and/or volume of forest resources. The basis of the course is learning how to plan, conduct, coordinate, and summarize forest inventories.The course objectives are for students to develop an understanding of sampling techniques and statistical analysis in the inventory of forest resources, learn how to use forest inventory systems currently used in natural resource management, conduct inventories that are cost-efficient and that meet predetermined sampling standards, learn to accurately and efficiently process and compute inventory data by hand and computer, learn to prepare and write comprehensive, professional cruise, and inventory reports for supervisors and/or clients, and learn to work well as a member of an inventory crew under field conditions. Conducting accurate and safe work, following directions, and the assignments of supervisors and instructors is imperative.Course grades will be based on lecture exams, a cumulative final, quizzes, lab reports, assignments, and class attendance and participation.