Sakari Tuominen, Juho Pitkänen, Andras Balazs, Kari T. Korhonen, Pekka Hyvönen, Eero Muinonen. (2014). NFI plots as complementary reference data in forest inventory based on airborne laser scanning and aerial photography in Finland. Silva Fennica vol. 48 no. 2 article id 983. https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.983

Keywords: airborne laser scanning; National Forest Inventory; aerial imagery; plot sampling

Highlights: Using NFI plots in forest management inventories could provide a way for rationalising forest inventory data acquisition; NFI plots were used as additional reference data in laser scanning and aerial image based forest inventory; NFI plots improved the estimates of some forest variables; There are differences between the two inventory types that cause difficulties in combining the data.

Abstract | Full text in HTML | Full text in PDF | Author Info

In Finland, there are currently two, parallel sample-plot-based forest inventory systems, which differ in their methodologies, sampling designs, and objectives. One is the National Forest Inventory (NFI), aimed at unbiased inventory results at national and regional level. The other is the Forest Centre’s management-oriented forest inventory based on interpretation of airborne laser scanning and aerial images, with the aim of locally accurate stand-level forest estimates. The National Forest Inventory utilises relascope sample plots with systematic cluster sampling. This inventory method is optimised for accuracy of regional volume estimates. In contrast, the management-oriented forest inventory utilises circular sample plots with an allocation system covering certain pre-defined forest classes in the inventory area. This method is optimised to produce reference data for interpretation of the remote-sensing materials in use. In this study, we tested the feasibility of the National Forest Inventory sample plots in provision of additional reference data for the management-oriented inventory. Various combinations of NFI plots and management inventory plots were tested in the interpretation of the laser and aerial-image data. Adding NFI plots in the reference data generally improved the accuracy of the volume estimates by tree species but not the estimates of total volume or stand mean height and diameter. The difference between the plot types in the NFI and management inventories causes difficulties in combination of the two datasets.

Tuominen, Finnish Forest Research Institute, P.O. Box 18, FI-01301 Vantaa, Finland E-mail: sakari.tuominen@metla.fi
Pitkänen, Finnish Forest Research Institute, P.O. Box 68, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland E-mail: juho.pitkanen@metla.fi
Balazs, Finnish Forest Research Institute, P.O. Box 18, FI-01301 Vantaa, Finland E-mail: andras.balazs@metla.fi
Korhonen, Finnish Forest Research Institute, P.O. Box 68, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland E-mail: kari.t.korhonen@metla.fi
Hyvönen, Finnish Forest Research Institute, P.O. Box 68, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland E-mail: pekka.hyvonen@metla.fi
Muinonen, Finnish Forest Research Institute, P.O. Box 68, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland E-mail: eero.muinonen@metla.fi

Click this link to register to Silva Fennica.

If you are a registered user, log in to save your selected articles for later access.

Contents alert

Your selected articles
Send to email

Hytönen J., Jylhä P. (2005) Effects of competing vegetation and post-plantin.. Silva Fennica vol. 39 no. 3 article id 374 (remove) | Edit comment

Sumida A., Nakai T. et al. (2009) Ground-based estimation of leaf area index and v.. Silva Fennica vol. 43 no. 5 article id 174 (remove) | Edit comment

Gan J., Smith C. T. (2010) Coupling greenhouse gas credits with biofuel pro.. Silva Fennica vol. 44 no. 3 article id 145 (remove) | Edit comment

Peltoniemi M., Thürig E. et al. (2007) Models in country scale carbon accounting of for.. Silva Fennica vol. 41 no. 3 article id 290 (remove) | Edit comment

Uliczka H., (2003) Nature conservation efforts by forest owners – i.. Silva Fennica vol. 37 no. 4 article id 485 (remove) | Edit comment

Diaz-Balteiro L., Voces R. et al. (2011) Making sustainability rankings using compromise .. Silva Fennica vol. 45 no. 4 article id 103 (remove) | Edit comment

Repola J., (2006) Models for vertical wood density of Scots pine, .. Silva Fennica vol. 40 no. 4 article id 322 (remove) | Edit comment

Marshall H. D., Murphy G. et al. (2006) Three mathematical models for bucking-to-order Silva Fennica vol. 40 no. 1 article id 356 (remove) | Edit comment

Klockow P. A., D'Amato A. W. et al. (2014) Nutrient concentrations in coarse and fine woody.. Silva Fennica vol. 48 no. 1 article id 962 (remove) | Edit comment

Vandekerkhove K., De Keersmaeker L. et al. (2011) Reappearance of old-growth elements in lowland w.. Silva Fennica vol. 45 no. 5 article id 78 (remove) | Edit comment

Dean C., (2003) Calculation of wood volume and stem taper using .. Silva Fennica vol. 37 no. 3 article id 495 (remove) | Edit comment

Laturi J., Mikkola J. et al. (2008) Carbon reservoirs in wood products-in-use in Fin.. Silva Fennica vol. 42 no. 2 article id 259 (remove) | Edit comment

Kangas K., (1999) Trade of main wild berries in Finland Silva Fennica vol. 33 no. 2 article id 665 (remove) | Edit comment

Peltola H., Kilpeläinen A. et al. (2007) Effects of early thinning regime and tree status.. Silva Fennica vol. 41 no. 3 article id 285 (remove) | Edit comment

Tuominen S., Eerikäinen K. et al. (2010) Mapping biomass variables with a multi-source fo.. Silva Fennica vol. 44 no. 1 article id 458 (remove) | Edit comment

Ralston R., Buongiorno J. et al. (2004) Potential yield, return, and tree diversity of m.. Silva Fennica vol. 38 no. 1 article id 435 (remove) | Edit comment

Hoen H. F., Eid T. et al. (2001) Timber production possibilities and capital yiel.. Silva Fennica vol. 35 no. 3 article id 583 (remove) | Edit comment

Kurkela T., Aalto T. et al. (2005) Defoliation by the common pine sawfly (Diprion p.. Silva Fennica vol. 39 no. 4 article id 360 (remove) | Edit comment

Gustafsson Å., (2003) Logistic services as a competitive means – segme.. Silva Fennica vol. 37 no. 4 article id 487 (remove) | Edit comment

Tomppo E., Korhonen K. T. et al. (2001) Multi-source inventory of the forests of the Heb.. Silva Fennica vol. 35 no. 3 article id 587 (remove) | Edit comment

Helenius P., Luoranen J. et al. (2004) Effect of thawing duration and temperature on fi.. Silva Fennica vol. 38 no. 3 article id 421 (remove) | Edit comment

Korpela I., (2006) Geometrically accurate time series of archived a.. Silva Fennica vol. 40 no. 1 article id 355 (remove) | Edit comment

Glöde D., Sikström U. (2001) Two felling methods in final cutting of shelterw.. Silva Fennica vol. 35 no. 1 article id 604 (remove) | Edit comment

Goudiaby V., Brais S. et al. (2011) Thinning effects on jack pine and black spruce p.. Silva Fennica vol. 45 no. 4 article id 95 (remove) | Edit comment

Martín-García J., Espiga E. et al. (2011) Factors influencing endophytic communities in po.. Silva Fennica vol. 45 no. 2 article id 40 (remove) | Edit comment

Jalkanen A., (2001) The probability of moose damage at the stand lev.. Silva Fennica vol. 35 no. 2 article id 593 (remove) | Edit comment

Mason W. L., Edwards C. et al. (2004) Survival and early seedling growth of conifers w.. Silva Fennica vol. 38 no. 4 article id 404 (remove) | Edit comment

Follow @SilvaFennica