Stand volume estimates from modelling inventory data

Abstract
Model-based sampling capitalises on relationships between the parameter of interest and other available data. In this inventory of the forests of North East Victoria, a model-based approach was used to sample an area of 227,000 ha, using 271 plots. Significant relationships were found between sawlog volume and several stand descriptors, including elevation, crown cover, stand height and species. A stratified random sampling approach would have required considerably more plots to achieve estimates of similar precision.