Data from a site are tied together in a fixed data model that allows statistically correct aggregations of data across severals sites. This data model, and the defined variables tied to it, represents the global core of the Global Forest Survey. It is a kernel that can be applied in any region of the world, yet still contain information essential to sustainable forest management.
The implementation of the Global Forest Survey in a country may result in a considerable expansion of the core data model, to cater for national information needs. The purpose is then of course to maximize the value of the collected information for national purposes. This information will however not be particularly useful for comparison with other countries as the specification is unique to the country in question.
Figure 6 gives an overview of the core data model for the Global Forest Survey.
Figure 6. Core data model for the Global Forest Survey. Normal database annotations for relations apply (e.g. one-to-many relationships). Boxes identify tables further described in section 3.2.
In the following sections, variables in each table are defined. Further explanations (code tables) to variables are found and discussed in more detail in Appendix 1. The variables below are both biophysical and socio-economic. The data collection method is described later in this paper.
Variables collected from the sample site (tract).
Variable |
Comment |
Tract.ID |
Identification number |
Tract.Latitude |
Latitude in decimal form |
Tract.Longitude |
Longitude in decimal form |
Tract.Altitude |
Height above sea level for center point [m] |
Tract.AdminUnit |
Name of administrative unit of the sample site |
Tract.TopographyEcol |
Topography and ecological zone description [names] |
Tract.Stratum Tract.Size of stratum Tract.Access |
Stratum in the country if applicable [n] Size [ha] Distance [n] to sample site |
Tract.Population |
Population living on the site [n] |
Tract.PopulationSince Tract.SettlementHistory Tract.LivelihoodTrend |
Number of years that population has lived on site [n] History of the settlement [description] Livelihood trend of population |
Tract.PopDynamics |
Population dynamics |
Tract.PopInfluence |
Population influence on forest resources |
Tract.Ownership |
Ownership of land |
Tract.Designation |
Legal designation of land |
Tract.EcolProblem |
Ecological problem identified by population |
Variables collected from the different land use units (stands).
Variable |
Comment |
Stand.ID |
Id number |
Stand.Tract_ID |
Id number for tract |
Stand.LandUse |
Current land use of stand |
Stand.LandUseBefore |
Land use 10 years ago |
Stand.StandType |
Forest type |
Stand.CrownCover |
Crown cover |
Stand.Structure |
Forest structure |
Stand.CanopyPattern |
Canopy pattern |
Stand.Disturbance |
Disturbance in forest |
Variables measured in the subplots in the sample site (tract).
Variable |
Comment |
SubPlot.ID |
Id number |
SubPlot.Plot_ID |
Id number for plot |
SubPlot.Stand_ID |
Id number for stand |
SubPlot.Size |
Size of plot m2 |
SubPlot.StandOrigin |
Origin of tree stand |
SubPlot.Regeneration |
Regeneration |
SubPlot.Silviculture |
Silviculture done (observed)? Yes/No |
SubPlot.NatRegeneration |
Natural regeneration observed? Yes/No |
SubPlot.EnrichPlant |
Enrichment planting done (observed)? Yes/No |
SubPlot.Cleaning |
Cleaning done (observed)? Yes/No |
SubPlot.SelectiveCutting |
Selective cutting done (observed)? Yes/No |
SubPlot.Thinning |
Thinning cutting done (observed)? Yes/No |
SubPlot.Pruning |
Pruning cutting done (observed)? Yes/No |
SubPlot.FinalFelling |
Final felling (observed)? Yes/No |
SubPlot.TimberExploit |
Tree felling in plot |
SubPlot.WildlifeDamage |
Damage by wildlife |
SubPlot.ForestHealth |
Health of forest |
SubPlot.BurningArea |
Area of burning |
SubPlot.BurningDate |
Date of burning |
SubPlot.SoilTexture |
Soil texture |
SubPlot.SoilMoisture |
Soil moisture |
Variables measured from trees in the sub-plots.
Variable |
Comment |
Tree.SubPlot_ID |
Id number for sub-plot |
Tree.Species |
Scientific name |
Tree.Diameter |
Mm |
Tree.Height |
M |
Tree.Shape |
Shape of tree |
Tree.Health |
Health of tree |
Variables that are collected from product and services (utilities) that are harvested in the land use unit (stand).
Variable |
Comment |
Utility.ID |
Id number |
Utility.Stand_ID |
Id number for stand |
Utility.TypeProduct |
Type of product used |
Utility.Rank |
Internal ranking of importance within stand. 1 is most important |
Utility.SeasonExtract Utility.FrequencyExtract |
Season of extraction Frequency of extraction |
Utility.ChangeExtract Utility.DemandSupply Utility.SpecieSubstitut Utility.Technology |
Reason for change in frequency of extraction Demand and supply Species substitution Technology of extraction |
Utility.EndUser |
End user |
Utility.LastExtracted |
Last time extracted |
Variables collected from the species used in the stand.
Variable |
Comment |
SpeciesUsed.Utility_ID |
Id number for utility |
SpeciesUsed.Species |
Scientific name |
SpeciesUsed.LocalName |
The local (site) name of the species |
Variables collected from the user of the forest products in the stand.
Variable |
Comment |
UtilityUser.Utility_ID |
Id number for utility |
UtilityUser.UserType |
Type of user |
UtilityUser.Rights |
Harvest rights of user |
UtilityUser.Conflicts |
Conflicts related to product harvested |