FOREST MONITORING IS A FUNDAMENTAL PART OF FOREST STEWARDSHIP

Forest resources can be inventoried and monitored using various techniques, ranging from simple assessments to more complex statistical sampling of attributes such as snag density, timber volume, and stream-side canopy. The sections below identify various monitoring protocols you can use on your forest, including links to field forms.

WHAT TO MONITOR

FOREST INVENTORY

Purpose
Determine baseline stand and timber information, comply with FSC® monitoring requirements (Indicator 8.2).

Data
Quantitative – statistical sample and permanent plots.

Variables
– Tree species, diameter, defect, height, and age
– Sapling species and diameter
– Shrub species and percent cover
– Number of snag

Forms
Trees

Saplings and Shrubs

Inventory Program in Excel (to calculate trees per acre, etc.)

FOREST STANDS

Purpose
Track important ecological and physical attributes through time.

Data
Qualitative – walk transects through the forest.

Variables
– Forest health and ecological hotspots
– Wildlife
– Trees and shrubs

Forms
How to Measure Woody Biomass in Your Forest

Woody Biomass / Carbon Calculator

ROADS

Purpose
Detect and track road deterioration, maintenance needs, or negative environmental impacts.

Data
Qualitative – traverse road segments

Variables
– Road issues and severity
– Maintenance needs
– Appropriateness of culvert size compared to stream
– Passability of culverts on fish bearing streams

Forms
Roads

STREAMS & WETLANDS

Purpose

Track general stream conditions and detect any detrimental disturbance impacts.

Data
Qualitative – walk stream segments and around wetlands

Variables
– Channel & wetland characteristics
– Water quality
– Vegetation
– Stream organisms
– Wetland wildlife
– Large woody debris

Forms
Streams

Wetlands

BIODIVERSITY

Purpose
Identify areas of high biological value; monitor impacts of conservation and/or harvest activities; comply with FSC monitoring requirements (Indicators 6.1, 9.4).

Data
Qualitative – forest site visit.

Variables
– Topography and site characteristics
– Forest dynamics
– Forest habitat
– Tree types and sizes
– Forest structure
– Snags and down trees

Forms
West Cascades Douglas Fir and Mixed Conifer Stands

Early Seral/Young Stands

Oak/Douglas Fir and Oak/Pine Woodlands

East Cascades Ponderosa Pine/Mixed Conifer Stands

CARBON SEQUESTRATION

Purpose
Quantify forest carbon storage; enter voluntary and/or regulatory carbon offset markets

Data
Quantitative – inventory with permanent plots, and carbon calculator.

Variables
– Species, diameter, height of standing live trees
– Diameter, height, and decay class of standing dead trees
– Volume of harvested wood products

Tool
Woody Biomass / Carbon Calculator

ADDITIONAL MONITORING & INVENTORY RESOURCES

•  Conducting a Forest Biodiversity Assessment – This NNRG guide describes the Forest Biodiversity Assessment monitoring tool and how to use it in the woods. The Forest Biodiversity Assessment is intended to be an easy-to-use tool for forest owners to observe and identify the components, structures and processes necessary to restore, increase, or sustain forest health.
• Forest Inventory and Monitoring Guidelines – The goal of this NNRG guidebook is to provide a practical, simple inventory and monitoring system for landowners who own less than 2,500 acres.
• How to Measure Woody Biomass in Your Forest – This NNRG guide provides landowners with a practical inventory system for estimating the volume of timber and woody biomass in their forest. In following these guidelines, landowners can more easily collect information to inform their forest management decisions. 
• Woody Biomass / Carbon Calculator – This calculator tool by NNRG allows forest owners to convert basic tree measurements and forest data into estimates of timber and biomass volumes.
• Monitoring Ecosystem Services – Visit this NNRG webpage to find resources on monitoring ecosystem services. 
• Simple Homemade Forestry Tools for Resource Inventories – A handy resource from WSU Extension, especially if you’re not ready to invest in expensive commercial-quality forestry tools. 

Additional resources on monitoring and other topics are available in the NNRG Resource Library.
NNRG Resource Library