%0 Research article
%T Analyzing the effects of inventory errors on holding-level forest plans: the case of measurement error in the basal area of the dominated tree species
%A Islam, Md. Nurul
%A Kurttila, Mikko
%A Mehtätalo, Lauri
%A Haara, Arto
%D 2009
%J Silva Fennica
%V 43
%N 1
%R doi:10.14214/sf.218
%U https://silvafennica.fi/article/218
%X Accurate inventory data are required for ensuring optimal net return on  investment from the forest. Erroneous data can lead to the formulation  of a non-optimal plan that can cause inoptimality losses. Little is  known of the effect of using erroneous stand inventory data in preparing  holding-level forest plans. This study reports on an approach for  analyzing such inoptimality losses. Furthermore, inoptimality losses  caused by measurement errors in the basal area of the dominated tree  species were investigated in a case study. Based on the inventory data  including routine measurements by 67 measurers, four measurer groups  were created with different measurement error profiles for the basal  area of the dominated tree species. This was followed by measurement  error simulations for each group and by adding these to the accurate  control inventory data to create erroneous data of different error  profiles. Three different forest plans were then constructed by using  erroneous data of each group. The plans were then analyzed and compared  with plans based on correct data. The effect of measurement errors on  the net present value from the whole planning period, and on the amount  of remaining growing stock at the end of planning period, were analyzed  and utilized in calculating the inoptimality losses. It was concluded  that even errors involving dominated tree species can cause significant  changes in the holding-level forest plans.