The application of new sampling methods to previously inaccessible tropical forest areas with particular reference to Papua — New Guinea

Thesis

This paper establishes the need to evaluate the forest resource of developing countries as a preliminary to forest industry development. ‘The purposes of forest resource inventory are defined as supplying information for -

(i) long-term policy planning

(ii) the evaluation of forest areas for exploitation investment

(iii) direction of more detailed management investigation.

The requirements of a single inventory are to provide data on the physical, biological and economic aspects of a forest area. The biological and economic data requirements are of principal concern in this paper.

The application of forest resource inventory in Papua - New Guinea is reviewed in the light of existing and potential forestry development. The history of attempts at assessment of the forest resource of the territory has revealed that at no time have entirely objective methods been employed. It is contended that subjective methods have no place in extensive forest inventory.

[Summary continued in thesis]

Authors: Shield, ED

• DOI: 10.5287/ora-1ax9oxgpm
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford