Forest Inventory Program

The Province began its first complete inventory program in the 1960s. The program encompassed the entire Island and all of Labrador, as far north as the 56th parallel. The program evolved over the years from a timber inventory to a broader ecosystem inventory. However, the underlying focus of providing sound statistical information, to ensure sustainable management has remained. The program is carried out on a continuous cycle with 10 per cent of Newfoundland and Labrador being inventoried annually.

Inventory Process

The inventory process used in Newfoundland and Labrador is as follows:

  • Aerial images of the forest are captured in digital format using fixed-wing aircraft.
  • The digital images are processed by photo interpreters using specialized computer software that allows the interpreter to view features of the image in three dimensions (3D). In turn, interpreters are able to define the height, species, age and productivity of forest stands captured by the image.
  • Using set criteria, a digital boundary is formed around each forest area by the photo interpreter.
  • Field measurements are taken to verify information derived from the images, and provide information on wildlife habitat, timber volumes, soil conditions and ground vegetation.
  • The boundaries and information put forward by the photo interpreters are entered into a geographic information system (GIS).
  • Information in the GIS is used in combination with wood supply software to determine the Annual Allowable Cut (AAC) and to examine any impacts fibre management practices may have on other resource values.

Newfoundland and Labrador Forest Inventory Tables

The Newfoundland and Labrador Forest Inventory Tables were created using temporary sample plot information. Tables display the number of stems, basal area, total volume, gross merchantable volume, total biomass, wood biomass (bole without bark), bole biomass (bole wood and bole bark), branch biomass, bark biomass (bark on bole), foliage biomass and twig biomass.

Information in the tables is grouped by Forest Management District and by Forest Inventory Stratum. For more information on how a Forest Inventory Stratum is defined, see the TPS Field Manual (821 KB) and Stratum Working Group List (329 KB). The Relative Standard Error (RSE%) is provided for each Forest Management District and Forestry Inventory Stratum combination.

Biomass information is not currently available for Labrador

NOTE: The Newfoundland and Labrador Forest Inventory Tables were created for general reference purposes only. Every attempt was made to exclude errors and provide the most accurate information available. The Newfoundland and Labrador Forestry and Agrifoods Agency, Forestry Services branch assumes no responsibility for any decision or outcome arising from the use of these tables, and all responsibility lies solely with the user. All values listed within the Newfoundland and Labrador Forest Inventory Tables are averages, and estimates defined by the user may not match listed values in every situation.