PART B - PNGAF MAGAZINE ISSUE # 9B -5B of 30th June 2021

AUSTRALIAN FORESTERS in PAPUA NEW GUINEA 1922-1975

PNGAF MAGAZINE ISSUE # 9B -5B of 30th June 2021 PART B.

FOREST MENSURATION PNG till 1975.

Bulolo Forestry College Mensuration Classes using Suunto clinometer.

Photo credit J Clifford.

Archer1, G.R. 1972. A simple tree height converter for measuring tree heights in steep topography with poor visibility. Commonwealth Forestry Review 51(3): 246-253.

Editor R B McCarthy2 2021.

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Gary Archer TPNG Forests 1963-1973.

Dick McCarthy District Forester TPNG 1963-1975.

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FOREST MENSURATION – the science of measurement applied to forest vegetation and forest products provides value for basic ecology and sustainable forest management. It is grounded in geometry, sampling theory, ecology, and practical forest experience.

Measurement of forested lands requires knowledge of the location and current volume of timber resources. Because forests are biological systems, estimates of growth for various management strategies are also required. Forest measurements are considered part of forest management. The role is to supply the numerical data for management decision making.

The field of forest management is concerned with direct measurements, sampling, and prediction. An understanding of statistical techniques and sampling methods is essential for practicing foresters.

Because forested lands are typically extensive in area and contain thousands of trees, foresters commonly measure only a sample of trees and then expand the sample values appropriately to obtain estimates of the population of interest.

In relation to forested land management, a knowledge of the elements of land surveying is essential to the inventory forester.

Direct measurements of trees require appropriate use of instruments to obtain the desired data. Examples include measuring tree diameter at breast height and measuring tree height using clinometers. (hypsometers) Tree measurement here includes measuring: • • • •

Products cut from tree stems.

Measuring attributes of standing tress – diameter, height, form, age.

Quantifying stand characteristics as volumes per land area.

Past growth and predicting future growth of individual trees and stands of trees.

In recent times, the demand for more and better information from forests has prompted the development and application of new instrumentation in addition to persisting with continued on-ground measurement. These include laser and ultrasound-based measuring devices, use of drones, terrestrial and airborne laser scanning, satellite imagery and other remote sensing techniques are used to measure and monitor trees and forests. New methods have been developed for conducting tree-ring analyses including technologies for assessing the physical, chemical, and anatomic properties of wood. Such measurements are being used for reconstruction of growth conditions and investigations of the impacts of environmental changes on forest growth.

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PART B. FOREST MENSURATION PNG TILL 1975 TABLE OF CONTENTS “FORWOOD” Procedures for undertaking Forest Assessment Assessment technique for trees greater than 5 feet + GOB Base camp Field party leader Measuring log length with Suunto clinometer Recording of Field Data Species Log length Form class Remarks Topographical & Vegetation Details Recording Compilation and Checking of Field Data Assessment Technique Pulp (1.5 to less than 5 feet GOB) Measurement Technique Forest Assessment Survey Equipment Equipment for each Assessment Team Equipment for each Volume Table Team Cartography Instruction Manual # 2 for Forest Assessment Surveys Growth Modelling Activities since 1975 BIBLIOGRAPHY ACRONYMS .

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page 3 page 5 page 8 page 9 page 9 page 9 page 12 page 14 page 14 page 14 page 14 page 14 page 14 page 16 page 17 page 17 page 17 page 17 page 18 page 19 page 20 page 27 page 32

Vanimo Survey 1970. Photo Credit Ian Whyte3.

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Ian Whyte TPNG Forests 1969-1979

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“FORWOOD” The science of forest measurement in PNG (forest mensuration) was reflected in the development of forest assessment techniques for the location and estimation of current volumes of commercial timber resources in PNG, coupled with detailed mapping of landforms and species identification and distribution, in the period from the 1940’s to the 1970’s through the efforts of Australian foresters working in PNG’s forests.

During this thirty year period, foresters had to address war reconstruction, resource owners concerns, training of PNG’s foresters, botanical issues as identification, timber attributes of various species, mapping, development of a viable timber industry, metrication, currency changes, self government issues, computerisation, digitisation, photogrammetry and development of timber markets for many unknown species.

As described in PNGAF Magazine Issue # 9B-5A OF 8th June 2021 p 45, from the Department of Forests publication New Horizons4 p 8 in 1972, PNG forests are divided into seven fairly homogeneous systems.

Forest System Specified Area in Volume in Volume in Timber Area thousands thousands of thousands of of hectares cubic metres cubic metres (M3) (M3) 0.5 – 1.5 metres 1.5 metres + GAB* GAB* Western Papuan Not available 3000 (est) Not available Not available Papuan South Abau 90 3540 4365 Coast Aroa 45 1179 1179 South East Sagarai Gadaisu 48 4250 3303 Coastal Musa 80 4719 2478 Kumusi 28 2360 2360 Ioma 182 11780 10380 Mai’ama 24 2830 2950 Bismarck Open Bay 104 4480 7080 Ania Kapiura 110 7080 5660 Kandrian 121 7790 8260 Arowe 157 8260 8730 Kapaluk 103 6135 6135 Melkoi 27 2360 1650 Nakanai n/a 2360 4955 Kaut 10 470 470 Solomons Torakina 13 945 1160 Sepik Ramu Vanimo 239 8495 10620 Middle Ramu 131 5665 5665 Highlands Giluwe n/a Not available 1840 Jimi n/a Not available 5190 TOTAL 1,512 81,600 83,000 * Girth above buttress.

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“New Horizons – Forestry in Papua New Guinea a Dept of Forests Publication 1973 Jacaranda Press.

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The above table details an appreciation of the work performed by Australian foresters to establish the first PNG national forest inventory i.e., the standing assessed commercial forest resource by major forest types. The Department of Forests reported that the forest resources were extensive and varied in composition. Some 200 species had economic potential but only some 30 species accounted for the bulk of merchantable timber. By 1972, approximately onethird or 4.4 million hectares had been classed as having economic potential and assessed to a level where development planning was possible.

Forest Systems 5 Dept of Forests PNG 1970.

In 1946 some 14,518,219 hectares had been investigated (figures reviewed in 1957) of which 5273240 hectares were under 10 degree slope and the area of potential forest type was estimated to be some 274731 hectares.

The national forest inventory in PNG was largely completed by 1968 describing standing log volume and areas for specified timber areas. This was described in New Horizons 19726p7.

Of the PNG total land mass of 46,886,000 hectares, tree cover was some 40,000,000 hectares of which commercially accessible forest was some 13,000,000 hectares.

By 1975 some 4,800,000 ha had been covered. By the late 1980’s, over 7,400,000 hectares had been covered.

After the mid 1960’s, - foresters had the advantages of developments in transportation such as helicopters.

In the late 1960’s and early 1970’s data processing moved from mechanical calculators to the advent of then primative elctronic computers.

By 1975, foresters had established the location and commercial volumes of timber resources by various botanical forest types throughout PNG. They had developed global techniques for the assessment of commercial sawlog and pulpwood volumes together with volume table compilation for the mixed rainforest species. They had identified botanical and timber characteristics for the various species .

This magazine (PNGAF Magazine Issue 9B-5B) describes the forest mensuration criteria under which the Department of Forests undertook the national forest inventory. It was a team effort because as previously described, it required correct mapping (refer PNGAF MAG ISSUE # 8 of 1 February 2021 – Department of Forests Mapping Section), correct botanical 5 6

Dept of Forests PNG 1970 Forest Systems of Territory of Papua and New Guinea.

New Horizons – Forestry in Papua New Guinea a Dept of Forests Publication 1973 Jacaranda Press.

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attributes (refer PNGAF MAF ISSUE # 6 of 8th February 2021- Lae Botany) and timber attributes (forthcoming PNGAF MAG ISSUE).

It was after 1975, that advances in photogrammetry occurred with the introduction of satelllite coverage of forested areas. This enabled a much more rapid appreciation of forest cover although detailed species and volume aspects still required much ground work.

In recent times since 1975, although PNG was and is still interested in the commercial volumes of standing timber, the demand for more and better information from forests has prompted the development and application of new instrumentation in addition to persisting with continued on-ground measurement.

These advances allow PNG to undertake: • • • • • •

Growth and yield/productivity studies in natural and planted forests.

Measuring the effects of silvicultural management practices on stem form, wood quality, tree growth and stand development.

Development of total and merchantable volume equations for estimating the biological asset value of tree stands, and biomass tables for carbon estimation.

Development of non-destructive sampling methods for volume, biomass, and wood quality estimation.

Studying the impacts of long-term environmental changes to the growth of trees and productivity of forests.

Advanced scientific methods for measuring and monitoring the impact of environmental conditions such as climate change on forest productivity, structure, and diversity.

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Procedures for Undertaking Forest Assessment By 1972/73, the PNG Department of Forests in its Forestry College Training Manual Vol 7 FOREST ASSESSMENT and WORKING PLANS June 1973, described the departmental procedures for undertaking forest assessments.

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Assessment Technique for trees greater than 5 feet + GOB (sawlog category).

The procedure for assessment of stems greater than five feet girth (metre) at GBHOB or gubab and a minimum of twenty feet log length.

The sample unit is a plot of one chain radius (66 feet) separated along the strip line by 5 chain intervals unreduced distance. Plot area is 0.3142 acres.

Each stem is enumerated by: • • • •

Species Gbhob or gubab Merchantable log length (greater than 20 feet) Form class.

The measurement technique to be followed by the party leader for the assessment of timber along a strip line with one chain radius plots established every five chains unreduced distance include: Base Camp • •

Complete all details at the start of the field book, list bearing, plot interval and date, party number and personnel names and time of commencement.

The location of the strip line to be plotted on the field party’s map and a summary of the strip line as interpreted from air photos to eb include in the field party’s instructions.

Field Party leader •

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Select the starting point as per field instructions and record a full description in the field book. Draw a large clear diagram of its location in the space provided in the field book. Remember to mark in all features that will help pinpoint the position of the starting point on the aerial photo. Such features as major and minor water courses and their respective bends (draw approximately to scale), gravel beds, areas of pit pit, secondary growth, large trees, cliff faces, ridges and gullies, outline of grass areas, major tracks etc.

Check bearings taken by the compass man from the initial (zero) picket.

Diversions from the fixed compass bearings is to be kept to a minimum i.e., divert around large, buttressed trees, small areas of kunda etc.

Should a large diversion be necessary, offset at right angles to the strip line for the required distance, bypass the obstacle and then offset back to the correct position as shown in the following diagram. (Remember the line must later be plotted accurately on the air photo and map).

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At every 5-chain interval (unreduced distance) a reasonably large, sharpened picket is numbered with plot number with a lumber crayon and recorded in the field book.

A one chain radius (66 feet horizontal measurement) plot is established with its centre at each picket, all trees other than those close to the picket must be measured to and the distance and slope of the tree from the plot centre recorded if the tree is inside the plot.

For a tree to be inside the plot the distance from the picket to the centre point of the butt at the side of the tree is no more than 66 feet horizontal distance.

Tables are issued giving the slope distance corresponding to 66 feet horizontal distance for particular percent slope on the degree scale of the Suunto clinometer.

The girth of a tree is measured by a girth stick as marked in the following diagram.

To measure the girth of a tree any vines etc. are first cleared off and the measure stick is then held either at breast height (4 foot 3 inches) or in the case of a buttressed tree as close as possible to the top of the buttress. The girth stick must be held at right angles to the line of sight of the observer with zero end in line with one side of the tree. The observer should stand no closer than 15 feet from the tree. The observer then steps a distance equal roughly to the diameter of the tree, towards the other side and takes the girth reading on the stick.

For buttressed tree, the girth stick must be pushed up to the top of the buttress on a pole to obtain girth above buttress. If the top of the buttress is very high and cannot be reached in this way, then a pencil or weighed piece of string can be used to project down the sides of the tree above the buttress.

For a tree which is not round, it is necessary to take two girth readings at right angles and then record the average reading.

The estimator must then walk completely around the tree to view external defects in the bole. He then estimates the merchantable length of the bole. This estimated length must frequently be checked by a clinometer, especially for trees having a bole length more than 60 feet or larger girth. On every fifth plot, all heights should be checked with clinometer. Such tree lengths checked will be marked with an asterisk (*) in the field book.

The merchantable bole length shall be taken as that length (minimum 20 feet) from immediately above the buttress (at logical docking point) to a point either just below the first branch (crown branch) or major fault e.g., twist, bend, holes, rot etc. whichever is the lowest.

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The form class of all logs will be recorded using the following definitions. Note that form classes A to D must have a minimum log length of twenty feet.

FORM CLASS DESCRIPTION A Round and straight. A good peeler log B Round but not straight. A marginal peeler log.

Within any 20-foot section, logs are permitted to sweep in one direction only and the sweep must not exceed one quarter of the mid-diameter of the section (see diagram).

C Straight but not round. A good sawlog.

D Neither straight nor round. A marginal sawlog. Within any 20-foot section, logs are permitted to sweep in one direction only and sweep must not exceed one quarter of the mid-diameter of the section.

E With bends or sweeps more than these allowed for in classes B and D on a log shorter than 20 feet. Suitable for chipping.

F Unsuitable for any purpose due to defect or fault or shorter than 20 feet.

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Measuring Log Length with Suunto Clinometer Model PM 5 – 66.

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Find a position where both the top and the bottom of the log can be clearly seen. Take readings to the top and the bottom of the log on the right side (feet) scale of the Suunto and add or subtract readings as follows:

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While taking these readings have a line cut to the base of the tree and measure the distance to the tree in feet (length of base line) and the slope along this line in degrees (slope of base line) on the left-hand scale of the Suunto.

Obtain the true log length in feet by using the tree height wheel. Turn the wheel until the reading for slope of baseline in degrees is opposite the reading for length of baseline in feet. Then find the total height reading in feet on the “Instrument Reading” scale. Opposite this on the “tree height” scale will be the log length in feet.

The accompanying figure is an example of the use of the tree height wheel.

N.B. If the tree is to be measured is not growing vertically but has an obvious lean, then do not stand in front of or behind the lean to take height readings, because this may cause serious errors. The estimator must note which way the tree is leaning and stand in a position at right angles to the plane of lean (i.e., at right angles to the direction in which the tree would probably fall if cut down).

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Archer, G.R. 1972. A simple tree height converter [for measuring tree heights in steep topography with poor visibility]. Commonwealth Forestry Review 51(3): 246-253.

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Recording of Field Data Assessment Data Species • •

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In the species column record botanical name down to genus and species name if known.

For trees not identified, record as unknown if seldom encountered, but if the unknown tree occurs frequently then assign a name or number (e.g., local dialect, number, or species as “A”) and collect botanical samples for identification purposes.

In the GOB column record girth in feet (e.g., five feet girth is written as 05- and twelve-feet girth as 12).

Log Length •

In the log length column record log length in feet. If log length is estimated by eye rather than measured by a clinometer, record log length to the nearest five feet only e.g., a tree of 45-foot log length is written as 045, a tree of 110-foot log length is written 110.

Form Class •

Write respective form classes for A to E as previously described. Trees of form F will be recorded separately on the blank back of the previous page with no log length.

Remarks •

In the remark column, note any unusual features e.g., double leader, broken top of obvious defect.

Topographical and Vegetation Details Recording on Field Sheet

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Between each plot the following data must be recorded on the field sheet o Record slope and downhill slope direction at each plot picket. o Record a new slope reading after each major change in topography. o Record vegetation and topographic features along the line as shown.

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Vegetation changes can be recorded as: o Existing gardens. o Regrowth – trees of Macaranga, Trena, Homolanthus etc up to 30 feet height and 6 inches diameter. o Secondary growth comprising species as Endospermum, Artocarpus, Octomeles, Evodia, Kleinhovia, Macaranga, Elaeocarpus) up to 60-80 feet in height with diameters up to 18 inches. o Advanced secondary growth – larger sized trees 120 feet height and up to 26 inches in diameter of some of the above species. Elements of the rainforest species as Pometia pinnata, Dracontomelum, Sloaena will often be present. o Poor lowland rainforest i.e., only a scattering of large trees. o Good lowland rainforest. o Forests dominated by one species e.g., Octomeles, E deglupta, Casuarina, Hopea, Araucaria, T brassii. o Other vegetation types as swamp forests subject to permanent or temporary inundation, and mangroves etc.

In the space provided for vegetation and topography remarks note: o Canopy height o Rock outcrops, gravel beds, coronous outcrops o Undergrowth whether thick or sparse and species present as palms, ginger etc.

On completion of the assessment strip line, write an overall description of the country traversed under the following headings (on the inside cover page provided): o Topography ▪ Whether the country is overall mountainous, hilly, flat, or undulating.

▪ Note the presence of large rock outcrops or cliffs.

▪ Note width, depth, and height of banks of major water courses encountered.

▪ Soils, depth, and texture e.g., loam, clay, sand.

Compilation and Checking of Field Data •

On receipt of field books, the officer in charge will o Check all information correctly entered and legible. o Instruct the draftsman to plot strip lines onto appropriate air photos and then onto camp plan. o Implement field checks.

▪ Check starting point and bearing of strip line.

▪ Check individual plots for trees in or out of plot; girth measurements; log length; form classes etc.

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Assessment Technique Pulp (1.5 to less than 5 feet GOB) This was for the assessment of stems 1.5 to less than 5 feet GBHOB or GBHAB and a minimum of 10 feet log length.

The sample unit is a plot of half chain radius (33 feet) separated along the strip line by 5 chain intervals, unreduced distance.

Each stem is enumerated by: • • • •

Species GBHOB or GBHAB Merchantable log length (greater than ten feet) Form class.

Measurement Technique Where a combined pulp and sawlog assessment is carried out along a strip line, separate filed books are used to record pulp and sawlog species.

Details along the line may be recorded in one book only provided reference is made to the other field book.

Recordings and measurements are as described for sawlog assessment with exception of plot size, girth classes and minimum log lengths.

The other exceptions here is that girth is measured by steel tapes graduated in feet and tenth of feet. Girth readings are measured to the nearest one tenth of a foot (e.g., 4.5, 3.6 etc).

To measure girth, vines and other obstructions are cleared from around the stem. The tape is placed at breast height ensuring that the tape is at right angles to the axis of the tree i.e., the smallest girth at breast height is recorded. If the tree is buttressed above breast height the girth above buttress is recorded.

Equipment for each Assessment Team Number 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Item Suunto clinometer Suunto Compass Girth stick 5 chain band steel Tree height wheel Girth tape 100-foot tape Field books Camping equipment – sails and lights Lumber crayon Food rations Pencils/plastic bags Water containers /medical kit/radio Axes/bush knives 17

Forester Ian Whyte at Sai River Open Bay. Photo credit Ian Whyte8 1974 Equipment for each Volume table Team Number 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 2

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Item Girth tape 100-foot tape Girth stick Chainsaw Oil container Fuel (benzene) container Set of tools – screwdriver/spanners Wedges Funnel Axes/bush knives Copra sacks for wood samples Permanent tags Lumber crayon Field books Water containers Camping equipment – sails and lights Food rations Pencils/plastic bags Medical kit/radio

Ian Whyte TPNG Forests 1969-1979.

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This manual is now described separately in PNGAF Magazine issue #9 B – 5 B 1 of 30th June 2021.

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Bob McKeowen TPNG Forests 1967-1976. In 1969 Bob prepared the manual Forest Assessment Surveys Cartography Instruction Manual No 2.

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PNG FOREST GROWTH MODELLING SINCE 1975 Professor John Davidson10 commented that if one looks back over the past 20 years or so for PNG, plenty has been written by ACIAR, Universities and others on increasingly sophisticated methods of vegetation typing and stratification using better and better satellite imagery and GIS manipulation to report on areas allegedly deforested or degraded by whatever means but no one has been very fussed about accurately converting areas into wood volumes or biomass. John has not come across any reports of extensive sampling to produce new local PNG volume or biomass tables from raw plot data.

On the one hand, some authors have resorted to quite simple conversions assuming a form factor of 0.5, plus perhaps species-specific parameters also borrowed from other authors, or more detailed assessments using generic equations published by others, among which e.g., Chave et al. (Tree allometry and improved estimation of carbon stocks and balance in tropical forests. Article in Oecologia Sept 2005.) is the most-often go-to source for “tropical wet forests” in PNG, e.g., This is from p93 Chave et al.: AGB = Above Ground Biomass (kg); D = trunk diameter (cm); H = tree height (m); ln = natural logarithm (log to the base e) Of 27 sites analysed by Chave et al. only one was from "New Guinea".

Since 1975, most of the work by NFS on PNG natural rainforest growth functions has concentrated on permanent sample plots for natural rainforest in PNG rather than forest assessment for commercial purposes. It is of scientific interest here to correlate growth data and its methodologies over time.

1980 D Alder did an FAO Forestry Paper 22/2 vol 2 Rome titled Forest Volume Estimation and Yield Prediction.

1980 PNGRIS (Papua New Guinea Resource Information System) (Funded by AusAID and PNG). This project commenced in 1980 as a joint co-operative research project between the PNG Department of Primary Industry (DPI) (now Dept of Agriculture and Livestock) and CSIRO. It was envisaged as an inventory of natural resources, land use and population for the whole of PNG. PNGRIS publications (ISSN 1320-5765) include: PNGRIS No 6 Papua New Guinea inventory of natural resources. Population Distribution and Land use handbook. ISBN 0642196109.

PNGRIS No 2 Forest Resources of Papua New Guinea ISBN 0642196036.

CSIRO Division of Land Use Research Land research series No 35 Vegetation of Papua New Guinea ISBN 0643001387.

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Personal Communication 6th June 2021 Professor John Davidson TPNG Forests 1962-1980.

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1989 FAO funded and undertook a project in PNG titled Forest Management Research and Development FAO: DP/PNG/84/003. B Kingston was the Mensuration Adviser whose working document No 14 was titled FOREST MENSURATION IN THE NATURAL FOREST. Kingston (p52) referred to all logs which were scaled by the NFS, and logging companies computed log volumes according to the Brereton log rule which is a standard accepted by the Southeast Asia log trade.

Kingston (p52) reported that volumes in forest inventories are calculated from a tree volume equation which was developed by the CSIRO from data supplied by the Department of Forests.

Kingston reports on his working document No 13 of FAO 1989 project Compilation of tree volume tables for the lowland forests. PNG/84/003 1991 Michael Adams11 reported details of the ITTO/PNG project PD 162/91 Intensification of growth and yield studies in previously logged forest. https://www.itto.int/project/id/PD162_91-Rev.1-F Project/activity information The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) Official Web Site. www.itto.int 1992 D Alder Forest growth specialist undertook projects re PNG permanent plots and growth yields. Reports include: Alder D 1992. Simple methods for calculating minimum diameter and sustainable yield in mixed tropical forest. Proceedings of the Oxford Conference on Tropical Forests Wise Management of Tropical Forests. Oxford Forestry Institute.

Alder D and Synott TC 1992. Permanent Sample Plot techniques for mixed tropical forests.

Tropical Forestry Paper No 25 Oxford Forestry Institute 1995 Forest Resources and Vegetation Mapping E T Hammermaster and J C Saunders CSIRO/PNGRIS 1995 reflects the progress made in mapping PNG vegetation since the 1970’s with the advent of the computer era and associated digitisation.

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Personal communication Dr Michael Adams ITTO 1 June 2021.

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1997 David Freyne Team leader of the Land Mobilisation Project (ACLMP12) 1997, presented his unpublished report Resource Inventory: Developing the Management Database to the Foresters’ Refresher school FRI Lae 1997, as part of the PNG Forestry Human Resource Development Project funded by AusAid. David Freyne described the rapid resource appraisal (RRA) of PNG forest resources, the resource inventory and the setting up of the FIM (forest information system) for use by the National Forest Service to assist with management of the forest resources of the country.

The development of the Papua New Guinea Resource Information System (PNGRIS) which took place between 1979 and 1987 marked the first attempt to compile a comprehensive nationwide inventory of PNG’s natural resources. This project commenced in 1980 as a joint co-operative research project between the PNG Department of Primary Industry (DPI) (now Dept of Agriculture and Livestock) and CSIRO. It is an inventory of natural resources, land use and population for the whole of PNG. At the time of its completion, the forest resources were not included.

In 1987, following the launching of PNGRIS, the Department of Forests requested the CSIRO be contracted to expand the database to include information on PNG’s forest resources. Following the United nation’s Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, the World bank and AusAid supported the concept of a PNG National Forestry and Conservation Action Plan (NFCAP). Considering this development, and the original request from the Department of Forests, AusAID contracted CSIRO to undertake a rapid resource appraisal (RRA) of the nation’s resources. This RRA was the first of a series of studies which has resulted in the Forest Resource Inventory (FIM).

Under the contract to carry out a RRA of PNG’s forest resources, PNGRIS was upgraded to include 1:500,000 scale mapping of the resource. The upgraded version of PNGRIS with data on the forest resources included, provided users with capacity to make a first level assessment of forest resources at provincial and/or national level.

The forest resource information in PNGRIS constituted the principal data source for compilation of the National Forest Plan and Provincial Forest development Plans of 1966.

However, it was apparent that the scale precluded the use of PNGRIS at timber concession or local level where the Department of Forests operational activities were focused.

Meanwhile efforts by the Department of Forests to obtain donor funding for a detailed national forest inventory were unsuccessful. CSIRO staff engaged on the RRA demonstrated

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ACLMP Australian contribution to the World Bank funded Land Mobilization Program.

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that it was possible to undertake vegetation mapping using the 1973-75 aerial photography and at the same time estimate species/volume distribution.

As the primary purpose was to determine which vegetation types carried potential merchantable forest and the species composition and volume content of those forest types, a methodology was developed that could be applied nationwide. This is described in detail in the publication Forest Resources and Vegetation Mapping E T Hammermaster and J C Saunders CSIRO/PNGRIS 1995.

The principal sources of data were the records of the National Forest Service, supplemented with data collected during CSIRO resource surveys, log harvest data and a small number of specified field sampling trips. No attempt was made to calculate the area of each forest type nor to summarise the volume of timber available on a concession, province, or national basis.

The RRA resulted in NFS having 1:100,000 and 1:250,000 scale forest type and vegetation maps for all of PNG but not accessible inventory data. This issue led to a further project funded by AusAID to incorporate forest inventory mapping as a component of ACLMP. Outcomes of this project by the FIM system for the Department of Forests included: • • • • •

Mapping at 1975 baseline from the 1973/75 SKAIPIKSA aerial photography.

Information on the percentage merchantable species composition of each forest type and of gross stocking rate of each type in the FIM from NFS surveys and logging records.

A 1996 update of logged - over areas on the 1975 baseline mapping.

All concession areas (as known at 1966) mapped at 1:250,000 and added to the FIM system.

Production of mapping showing area with serious physical limitations which should be excluded from logging activities.

1998 PINFORM Alder, D. 1998 PINFORM: a growth model for lowland tropical forest in Papua New Guinea unpublished Report to ITTO, Project PD 162/91.

Alder, D., Oavika, F. and Yosi, C. 1998 Data, programs and models for natural forest growth and yield Unpublished Report to ITTO, Project PD 162/91.

From the 1998 ITTO funded project, in the Alder (1998) PINFORM report, he gives a volume function V = 1.116kD2.4762, where k=0.00007854, which comes from an earlier report for the same ITTO project by Romjin, K (1994) where the original origin of the function was apparently not stated13.

1998, the Forest Inventory Mapping (FIM) System was a computer-based forest resource inventory and management tool installed at the NFS. The original forest resource mapping and compilation of forest inventory information, on which the system was based was undertaken by CSIRO. Reference Sept 1998 Forest Resources of Papua New Guinea.

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Personal communication April 2021 Prof Phil West.

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Summary Statistics from the Forest Inventory Mapping System (FIM) compiled by J McAlpine and J Quigley.

2001 ACIAR 14Professor Rod Keenan described the PNG growth equations (where he had referred to there being currently only one generic volume equation applied to all timber species in PNG) from his project report appendix 7 titled ACIAR Project FST 98-118 Planning methods for sustainable management of timber stocks in PNG forests Review of forest inventory and mapping systems for forest planning - report based on trip to PNG from 19-29 November 2001 C. Brack, C. Bragg, I. Frakes, A. Gerrand, R. Keenan, P. Tickle, J. Vanclay PNGFA “one way” volume function; Volume =0.00000515025*(PI()*DBH)^2.4762.

PNGFA “two way” volume function; Volume =0.189523+0.0000547982 * DBH ^ 2 0.0089213 * LENGTH + 0.0000528219 * DBH ^ 2 * LENGTH. PNGRIS publications (ISSN 1320-5765) include: PNGRIS No 6 Papua New Guinea inventory of natural resources. Population Distribution and Land use handbook. ISBN 0642196109 PNGRIS No 2 Forest Resources of Papua New Guinea ISBN 0642196036 2001 Peki MM stand structure and growth of logged over natural forest in Papua New Guinea. Master of Agricultural Science Thesis Faculty of Agriculture. The University of Tokyo 145pp 2004 Peki M M The growth analysis and its application for management selective cutting natural forest in Papua New Guinea. PHD thesis graduate school of agriculture and life sciences Faculty of Agriculture. The University of Tokyo 249pp 2005 ACIAR Project FST98-118 Improved timber inventory and strategic forest planning in Papua New Guinea. Authors include R Keenan, Chris Brack, Ian Franks, Adam Gerrand 2011 ACIAR Native Forest management in Papua New Guinea: advances in assessment, modelling and decision-making. Editors Julian Fox, J Keenan, Chris Brack and Simon Saulei.

2021 Mex Peki Progress on the studies of growth of logged over natural forests in Papua New Guinea.

2021 Bob Tate15 PNGFIA advised that currently JICA has completed PNG Forest Inventory part 1 - high resolution satellite imagery 100%. Excellent & extremely useful work!

EU is now funding part 2 - ground truthing the satellite data. Up to 600 randomly selected plots - measure everything & species etc.

Bob Tate confirmed that the old 1% sample was NOT for mapping but for "what is out there???”. Bob Tate is still working on getting a log volume table – he has put his copy away so carefully he will probably never find it!

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Personal communication 9th June 2021 Prof Rod Keenan Melbourne University.

Personal communication 29th April 2021 Bob Tate PNGFIA. (Still there).

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2021 PNG-FRIMS funded by JICA.

It is interesting to note that in 2021, the transcript of PNG-FRIMS on point 1.3.3 is as follows: 1.3.3 Functions of PNG-FRIMS (a) Forest Timber Volume Estimate (upgraded FIPS and FIMS) The project reviewed and enhanced FIPS and FIMS which were developed in the previous century and integrated forest information for the estimation of timber volume into the PNGFRIMS on the PNGFA‘s network. FIPS (Forest Inventory Processing System) FIMS (Forest Inventory Mapping System) Overview • FIPS estimates the timber volume of the expected logging project area based on the data of the inventory survey. • The estimated volume is to be used to determine an annual allowable cut of timber volume for the expected logging project. Basic functions • Enter survey information and assessment data from field books (including species, diameter, and length etc.) • Edit and process assessment data • Produce survey result and printout as summary report • Import assessment data from Excel file into FIPS and Export the Result of processed data from FIPS into Microsoft Excel format Overview • FIMS calculates the potential timber volume in any level of area such as national, provincial, and logging project. • The volume is calculated using forest type per unit timber volume and to be adjusted by logged volume data. • The volume estimate is to be utilized to develop forest plans (National/Provincial Forest plan). Basic functions • Enter survey information and assessment data from field books (including species, diameter, and length etc.) • Edit and process assessment data • Produce survey result and printout as summary report • Import assessment data from Excel file into FIPS, and Export the Result

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Bibliography (Includes relevant documents tracing PNG’s Forest Mensuration History over Time).

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ACIAR 2002. Project FST/1998/118 Annual Report 2001-02. Planning methods for sustainable management of timber stocks in Papua New Guinea’s Forests.

ACIAR 2005. Project FST/1998/118 Final Report. Planning methods for sustainable management of timber stocks in Papua New Guinea’s Forests.

ACIAR 2005. Project FST98-118 Improved timber inventory and strategic forest planning in Papua New Guinea. Authors include R Keenan, Chris Brack, Ian Franks, Adam Gerrand.

ACIAR 2011. Native Forest management in Papua New Guinea: advances in assessment, modelling and decision-making. Editors Julian Fox, J Keenan, Chris Brack and Simon Saulei.

ACIAR 2021. Project FST 98-118 - Planning methods for sustainable management of timber stocks in PNG forests Review of forest inventory and mapping systems for forest planning report based on trip to PNG from 19-29 November 2001 C. Brack, C. Bragg, I. Frakes, A. Gerrand, R. Keenan, P. Tickle, J. Vanclay.

Alder D 1977 A growth and management model for coniferous plantations in East Africa.

PhD thesis Oxford University.

Alder D 1992. Simple methods for calculating minimum diameter and sustainable yield in mixed tropical forest. Proceedings of the Oxford Conference on Tropical Forests Wise Management of Tropical Forests. Oxford Forestry Institute.

Alder D and Synott TC 1992. Permanent Sample Plot techniques for mixed tropical forests.

Tropical Forestry Paper No 25 Oxford Forestry Institute.

Alder, D. 1998 PINFORM: a growth model for lowland tropical forest in Papua New Guinea Unpublished Report to ITTO, Project PD 162/91.

Alder, D., Oavika, F. and Yosi, C. 1998 Data, programs and models for natural forest growth and yield Unpublished Report to ITTO, Project PD 162/91.

Archer, G.R. 1972. A simple tree height converter [for measuring tree heights in steep topography with poor visibility]. Commonwealth Forestry Review 51(3): 246-253.

Archer G R 1977 Tree Volume Models for Tropical Broadleaved Forests with particular reference to the forests of the Northern Territory. Thesis submitted for the degree of Master of Science at the Australian National University 1977.

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British Standard Code of Practice CP 112: Part 2: 1971 The Structural Use of Timber Part 2.

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Department of Forests PNG Forestry College Training Manual Volume # 7 FOREST ASSESSMENT and WORKING PLANS June 1973 compiled by Alan White, Dick McCarthy, Gary Archer and Dave Num. Department of Forests PNG 1969 Publication. Turi and the Trees.

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FAO 1980 1980 D Forest Volume Estimation and Yield Prediction Forestry Paper 22/2 vol 2 prepared by D Alder Rome.

FAO 1987. Continuous forest inventory in lowland and lower montane forests. Working Document No.5 project PNG/84/003, prepared by B Kingston Dept of Forests PNG.

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FAO 1988. Report on Diagnostic Sampling conducted in Oomsis Forest Morobe Province.

Working Document No.5 project PNG/84/003, prepared by B Kingston Dept of Forests PNG. FAO 1988. Master Plan for Timber Stand Improvement in Lowland and Lower Montane Forest. Working Document No.10 project PNG/84/003, prepared by B Kingston Dept of Forests PNG. FAO 1989. Forest Management Research Plans for the Natural Forests of Papua New Guinea. Working Document No.4 project PNG/84/003, prepared by B Kingston Dept of Forests PNG. FAO 1989. Compilation of Tree Volume Tables for the Lowland Forests. Working Document, No 13 project PNG/84/003, prepared by B Kingston Dept of Forests PNG. FAO 1988. Growth and Yield of Mixed Tropical Forests. Unpublished consultancy report to FAO by D Alder Rome.

FAO. 2001. Global Forest Resources Assessment 2000 - main report. FAO Forestry Paper No. 140. Rome. Available on the Internet: www.fao.org/forestry/fo/fra/main/index.jsp.

Finlayson, W., and Archer, G.R. 1964. A modified Biltmore stick for use on buttressed trees in tropical rain forest. Letter to the Editor, Commonwealth Forestry Review 43(4): 285.

Freyne D 1997 unpublished report Resource Inventory: Developing the management database Team leader of the Land Mobilisation Project (ACLMP16) 1997, presentation Foresters’ Refresher School FRI Lae 1997, as part of the PNG Forestry Human Resource Development Project funded by AusAid. Furnival G W 1961 An Index for Comparing Equations used in Constructing Volume Tables.

For. Sci. Vol 7 No 4 pp 337-341.

Gael Keig, Robin L. Hide, Susan M. Cuddy, Heinz Buettikofer, Jennifer A. Bellamy, Pieter Bleeker, David Freyne and John McAlpine: CSIRO and land research in Papua New Guinea 1950–2000: part 1: pre-Independence, CSIRO Publishing Historical Records of Australian Science https://doi.org/10.1071/HR18019.

Hammermaster E T and Saunders J C Forest Resources and Vegetation Mapping of Papua New Guinea 1995 PNGRIS Publication No. 4 ISBN 064219605 2.

ITTO/PNG project PD 162/91 Intensification of growth and yield studies in previously logged forest. https://www.itto.int/project/id/PD162_91-Rev.1-F. Johns R J 1977 The vegetation of Papua New Guinea Training Manual for the Forestry College Vol 10 Bulolo December 1977. Reprinted 1984.

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McAlpine J and Quigley J Sept 1998 Forest Resources of Papua New Guinea. Summary Statistics from the Forest Inventory Mapping System (FIM) Coffey for AusAid/CSIRO. McIntosh D H and Hammermaster E T 1968 Forest Resource Assessments using Helicopter Transport in the Territory of Papua and New Guinea. Paper 9th Commonwealth Forestry Conference 1968.

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Paijmans, K. 1975 Vegetation Map of Papua New Guinea and Explanatory Notes to the Vegetation Map of Papua New Guinea - Land Research Series No. 35 – Melbourne.

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Peki M 2004 The Growth Analysis and its Application for Management Selective Cutting Natural Forest in Papua New Guinea. PhD thesis. Graduate School of Agriculture and Life Sciences Faculty of Agriculture. The University of Tokyo 249 pp.

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Phillips F H (CSIRO), Logan A F (CSIRO), Balodis V (CSIRO) 1975 The Pulping and Papermaking Potential of Tropical Hardwoods 11.

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ACRONYMS ACT ACIAR ACLMP AEC AFS AFPNG AIF AMF ANBG ANGAU ANU APMF APPM ASIO ASOPA AusAID BA BCOF “Beer Time” BFC BGD BUC C cm CALM CFA CNGT CRE CRE

CSIRO CHAH DASF DBH/ dbh DEPT DPI DOF e.g.

Etc FAO F &TB FIM FPRC

Australian Capital Territory Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research AusAid funded World Bank Land Mobilisation program.

Administrators Executive Committee Australian Forestry School Association of Foresters of PNG Australian Infantry Forces Australian Military Forces Australian National Botanical Gardens Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit Australian National University Australian Paper Manufacturers Forestry Pty Ltd Australia Paper and Pulp Manufacturers Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Australian School of Pacific Administration Australian Aid Agency basal area British Commonwealth Occupational Force 1945-52 Any time.

Bulolo Forestry College Bulolo Gold Dredging Company Bulolo University College Commonwealth Centimetre Western Australian Department of Conservation and Land Management Commonwealth Forestry Association Commonwealth New Guinea Timbers Bulolo Commander Royal Engineers CRE is a term inherited by RAE from RE and is the term for the Commanding Officer of a RAE unit which is headed by a Lt Col. Although the officer is called the CRE the name is also used for the name of his unit. E.g., CRE Aust Forestry Group or 1(NG Forests).

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Council of Heads of Australasian Herbaria Dept of Agriculture, Stock and Fisheries Diameter at breast height Department Department of Primary Industry Department of Forests For example et cetera (more of the same) Food and Agriculture Organisation Forest and Timber Bureau Canberra Forest Information System Forest Products Research Centre Hohola 32

FRI Forkol GAB Gbhob Gubab GIS ha IBRD IFA ITTO JICA L of N LRRS m3 MAG MM NAA NARI NB NFCAP no.

NG NGF NGIB NGO NGVR NZ NSW NTSC OISCA

Forest Research Institute Lae Bulolo Forestry College Girth above buttress Girth breast height over bark Girth under bark above buttress Geographic Information Systems Hectare International Bank for Reconstruction and Development Institute of Foresters of Australia International Tropical Timber Organization Japanese International Cooperation Agency League of Nations Land Resource Soils Survey (branch of CSIRO) cubic metre magazine Military Medal National Archives Australia National Agriculture Research Institute New Britain PNG National Forestry and Conservation Action Plan Number New Guinea New Guinea Forces (relates to plant collection of Lae Herbarium) New Guinea Infantry Battalion Non-Government Organisation New Guinea Volunteer Rifles New Zealand New South Wales National Tree Seed Centre PNG Bulolo Organisation for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement International Japan.

P or p or pp page PIB Papuan Infantry Battalion PIR Pacific Islands Regiment PNG Papua New Guinea PNGAA Papua New Guinea Australia Association PNGAF Papua New Guinea Australian Foresters Magazine Series PNGFA Papua New Guinea Forest Authority PNGFIA PNG Forest Industries Association PNGRIS Papua New Guinea Resource Information System PNGUT PNG University of Technology POM Port Moresby Q Queensland QF Queensland Forestry RAE Royal Australian Engineers/Australian Army RPC Royal Papuan Constabulary RRA Rapid Resource Appraisal SFM Sustainable Forest Management SP South Pacific UK United Kingdom 33

UN Unasylva UNE UNEP UNI UNITECH UNRE UPNG UQ US USA TPNG TUBL TA TA TRP Vol VSF WA WB WW2

United Nations Journal of FAO of UN University of New England Armidale NSW United Nations Environment Program University University of Technology Lae PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment University of Papua New Guinea University of Queensland United States United States of America Territory of Papua and New Guinea Territory United Brewery Ltd Timber Area Timber Authority Timber Rights Purchase volume Victorian School of Forestry Western Australia World Bank WORLD WAR 2

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