FM FM Forest Measurements & Inventory 2

Question 1

The 'International 1/4-inch log rule' is used in timber cruising to:

Accepted Answer

Estimate the board-foot volume of logs based on small-end diameter and log length

Answer

The International 1/4-inch rule is a widely used log scale that estimates the recoverable board-foot lumber volume from a log based on its small-end diameter inside bark and length.

Question 2

In forest inventory, 'cruise intensity' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The proportion of the total forest area sampled, expressed as a percentage

Answer

Cruise intensity is the percentage of the total timber sale or stand area that is sampled, with higher intensities providing more accurate volume estimates but requiring greater field effort.

Question 3

What does 'merchantable height' mean when measuring trees for a timber sale?

Accepted Answer

The height of the usable portion of the tree stem that meets minimum size requirements for products

Answer

Merchantable height is measured from the stump to the point where the stem diameter falls below a minimum utilization standard or has significant defect, defining the recoverable portion of the tree.

Question 4

A 'Biltmore stick' is a field tool used to:

Accepted Answer

Estimate tree diameter by holding the stick at arm's length against the tree

Answer

A Biltmore stick is a graduated scale held at a fixed arm's length (25 inches from the eye) to estimate tree DBH through parallax, providing a quick but approximate diameter estimate.

Question 5

What is 'periodic annual increment' (PAI) in forest growth measurement?

Accepted Answer

The average annual volume increase over a specified measurement period

Answer

PAI is the average annual volume, basal area, or height growth calculated by dividing total growth over a measurement period (e.g., 10 years) by the number of years in that period.

(FM) Forest Management Certification Practice Test

(FM) Forest Management Certification Practice Test

FM FM Forest Measurements & Inventory 2