ACQUISITION OF FOREST RESOURCE INVENTORY THEME AND DATA
This process is designed to utilize aerial photographs at scales of 1:15,000 and 1:10,000, together with
temporary and permanent samples. The current funding levels of forest inventories are rarely sufficient to
collect the number of samples required for the estimation of descriptive statistics on an individual stand or
polygon basis. It is therefore recommended to utilize air photo samples in the context of multiphase (double)
sampling. The 70mm aerial photos at 1:500 or 1:1,000 scales, such as used in British Columbia, can provide
the required information, which can be adjusted or "corrected" with information obtained from ground samples.
Both ground and photo samples may then be used for the development of multiple regression equations to
provide volume estimates for each strata, assuming that the independent variable of the regressions can provide
the necessary linkages to the stand descriptions (as used in the classification system).
Airborne scanner data with 0.5 m pixel resolution such as MEIS, has the potential for providing a more
efficient alternative to the current method of photo sampling. For example, measurements can be automated
with the digital data, thus improving the current throughput problems. In addition, airborne scanner data can
facilitate some measure of automation in "photo" interpretation.
The next major challenge is to transfer boundaries of homogeneous strata to maps with the aid of
photogrammetric techniques and GIS, including their corresponding descriptive statistics. Quality control is
an important aspect of this process, and if implemented efficiently, it can lead to major efficiencies in terms
of cost effectiveness.
The appropriate sampling system recommended in this paper is multi-phase sampling with partial replacement
(Loetsch and Haller 1973, Cunia 1974, and Hegyi 1989).
ACQUISITION OF NON-FOREST RESOURCE INVENTORY MAPS AND DATA
Multi resource inventories need to include information about land base which provides descriptive statistics on
non timber resources, as well as on the forest land itself. The leading components of this information base are
fish and wildlife data, environmental sensitivity evaluation by aggregated strata, land use options, and consensus
decisions on land allocation. The integration of information on non timber resources with the forest resource
inventory data base can be achieved through the use of GIS and Image Analysis Systems. However, the
available information base in this area is currently incomplete, and opportunities for linkages between the
various data bases have not been fully explored. For example, for the fish and wildlife data base, the forest
resource inventory information can provide useful data on habitat. Opportunities exist to increase throughput
and reduce the unit cost of producing land related information by making full use of the functional relationships
between the various source of data.
ACQUISITION OF SOCIOECONOMIC MAPS AND DATA
Public concerns about forest management, land use options and allocation, as well as about the negative effects
of resource management, will increase in the 1990’s. A lot is being said about the lack of reliable information
that is needed for decision-making in environmental management, but little is being done about acquisition
itself. Current data acquisition efforts are generally reactive, i.e., focusing on areas under land use conflict
discussions, rather than being productive.
Recommended components of this process are information on environmental concerns about selected areas,
criteria for conservation and their linkage to specific areas, and incorporation of the concerns of special interest
groups representing hunting, fishing and tourism. Again the current data base in this area is incomplete.
