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Forests must be measured if they are to be managed and conserved properly. This book describes the essential principles of modern forest measurement, whether using simple hand-held equipment or sophisticated satellite imagery. It particularly focuses on measuring forest biomass over large forest areas, a key aspect of climate change studies, as well as the volumes of wood that are commercially available. Written in a straightforward style, it will be accessible to anyone who works with forests, from the professional forester to the layperson. It considers not only how and why forests are measured but also the scientific basis of the measurements taken.

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Introduction.- Measurements.- Stem Diameter.- Tree Height.- Stem Volume.- Stem Volume and Taper Functions.- Biomass.- Stand Measurement.- Measuring Populations.- Sampling Theory.- Conducting an Inventory.- The Plane Survey.- Remote Sensing.

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"West, an academic (Southern Cross Univ., Australia) and a forestry expert and consultant with 40 years of experience, explains basic measurements applicable to trees, individually and at the stand and whole forest level. Basic statistics with clear examples are integrated into the explanations. ... This book introduces the subject of forest-associated measurement and statistical analysis very well ... . Summing Up: Recommended. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates, two-year technical program students, general readers." (M. K. Cleaveland, Choice, Vol. 53 (10), June, 2016)

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Professor Phil West has been a forest scientist for over 40 years. His research specialities concern the growth behaviour of forests and forest measurement. He is presently a forestry consultant and teaches forest measurement, plantation forestry and plant physiology and ecology in the forestry school of Southern Cross University in northern New South Wales, Australia.

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