The use of biomass estimations in the management of forests for fuelwood and fodder production

Most conventional mensuration techniques are directed towards estimating forest growth and productivity in terms of merchantable log volume. The use of regression analysis for biomass estimations is discussed in relation to estimating a multiplicity of forest products (foliage, branches, small stems and large sized material) in community forests. A case study is reported for 9-yr-old Pinus roxburghii in the Middle Hills of Nepal (planted on degraded grassland, predominant ht. 8.7 m, mean d.b.h. 11.4 cm, stocking 1400 stems/ha). Biomass data derived from regression analysis was extrapolated to develop a utilization schedule suitable for application at local level.