1. Describe the use of and explain the importance of basic statistical analysis tools in forest resource management.
2. Explain the limitations, development, and application of volume and taper equation systems.
3. Explain the basis for, describe the use of, and summarize data from sample unit types commonly used in timber sampling.
4. Plan, conduct, and summarize an efficient timber sampling effort of a tract of forested land.
5. Apply methods to assess structure and density of forest stands as well as the quality of the site upon which the stand is growing.
6. Identify, interpret, and quantify the important factors affecting tree and stand growth.
7. Describe the use of growth models for projection of future timber resource condition.
8. Explain the role and workings of typical forest ecosystem models.

Avery, T.E. and H.E. Burkhart. 1994. Forest Measurements, 4th Edition. McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York. 408 pp. (Required)

MYSTAT Manual. (Forestry Library reserve)
Mathematics Refresher. (Forestry Library reserve)
Regression Refresher
PCWTHIN User's Manual. (Forestry Library reserve)
Using TWIGS. (Forestry Library reserve)

Lecture handouts and assignments.


Course Grading Criteria

Component	% of Grade
Assignments	25
Exam I	25
Exam II	25
Exam III	25

Grades will be assigned in a manner consistent with the University's Grading Standards.

Course Lecture Schedule (Approximate)

Date	Topic	Readinga
March 29	Class administration and overview; MYSTAT	Ch 1,2
March 31, April 2	Standing tree content estimation	Ch 7; Ch 6 S 11-14
April 5	Timber sampling overview	Ch 8 S 1, 2, 3, 21; Ch 9; Ch 3 S 9-15
April 7, 9	Fixed-radius plots	Ch 10 S 1, 6-10; Ch 8 S 6
April 12, 14, 16	Variable-radius plots	Ch 11 S 1-13, 20-24
April 21	EXAMINATION I	-
April 19	Permanent plots and technology	Ch 10 S 11-15
April 23	3P and related sampling methods	Ch 12
April 26	Understory vegetation and regeneration sampling	Ch 10 S 16-19
April 28	Case studies	i. Stand Inventory Systems in the Lake States Area ii. FHM Program Overview iii. Forest Inventory and Analysis: Explore the Possibilities
April 30, May 3	Site quality	Ch 14 S 1-10
May 5, 7	Stand density	Ch 14 S 11-20
May 10	Tree growth relationships	Ch 15 S 1-8; Ch 6 S 15-17
May 14	EXAMINATION II	-
May 12	NO CLASS	-
May 17	Stand growth relationships	Ch 16 S 1-3
May 19	Stand table projection	Ch 15 S 9-13
May 21, 24	Tree growth models	Ch 16 S 9, 13
May 26, 28	Stand growth models	Ch 16 S 4-8, 10-12, 14, 15
June 2, 4	Ecosystem simulation models	Potential climate change effects on loblolly pine forest productivity and drainage across the southern US
June 9, 16:00	EXAMINATION III	-

^aReadings in plain font are from the required text (or are Web links) and readings in italics are library reserve. Digits after "S" specify sections within chapters.


Course Assignments

Topic	Due Date
Statistics review	-
Volume equations; Fixed-radius plots	April 12
Variable-radius plots	April 21
Stand dynamics	May 12
Growth models	June 4

Course Miscellany

• Much of the material for the course will be placed on the course WWW server. E-mail will be used extensively for communication between students and instructors. Students will be held responsible for regularly checking both their e-mail and the class WWW site.
• A working calculator will be required for all assignments and exams.
• Each assignment in the course has a specific due date. Five percent of the total point value will be deducted from the student's score for each day the submission date exceeds the due date. Assignments turned in more than five days late will be given a score of zero. Weekends count as one day.
• The exams will be problems and short answer/multiple choice questions covering material up to the point where the exam is noted on the syllabus. Exams II and III are not cumulative. Make-up exams will be given only in special circumstances and then only when requested prior to the scheduled date.
• If a discrepancy or disagreement should arise over the grading of any material for this course, the student should write an explanation of the problem and why (s)he believes some adjustment should be made, attach the explanation to the material in question, and present the material to the instructor within one week of when the material was returned to the student. The instructor will evaluate all written requests for grading reviews, make the necessary adjustments, and return the material as quickly as possible.
• Consistent with the University's Academic Work Policy (cf. Section 4a), the average student should expect to spend 60 hours outside of class during the quarter on readings, assignments, and exam study in order to achieve an average grade.
• The assignments are time consuming; do not expect to complete them in one setting or one evening. Work on assignments should be an individual effort. "Paying your dues" on the assignments is the only way to become familiar enough with the techniques discussed that you will be able to apply them or related methods in real-life applications. Recall the ancient Chinese proverb: