Purpose
This research aimed at assessing the feasibility of creating models to predict wood volume and wood quality across Tasmania’s hardwood forests. These models would help forest growers, timber producers, and processors better understand the available resource and plan for future production.
Summary
The project reviewed existing data and methods for measuring wood properties and volume in Tasmania’s hardwood estate, which includes both native forests and plantations. However, there is limited data on wood properties across the estate, with most detailed information available only for plantation-grown Eucalyptus nitens. The report recommends a focused study on E. nitens plantations, using field-based tools like acoustic testing and resistographs to measure wood density and stiffness. It also explored remote sensing technologies like LiDAR and aerial photogrammetry for estimating forest volume. These tools show promise but are currently limited by cost and data processing challenges. The report proposed a sampling strategy of 250 sites across Tasmania to build reliable models. It also highlighted the need to include private native forests in future studies, though landowner intent and harvesting plans remain uncertain.
Benefits to the Forest and Wood Products Industry
This research offers several benefits to the industry: • Improved understanding of how climate and environment affect wood quality and volume. • Recommendations for cost-effective tools to measure wood properties, helping forest managers and processors make better decisions. • Foundation for developing statewide models that could guide forest expansion, product planning, and adaptation to climate change.
Acknowledgement
This work was supported by funding provided to Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) to administer the National Institute for Forest Products Innovation program (NIFPI).
Funding for the program was provided by the Australian Government, the Tasmanian Government and Australian forest and wood products industry.
