“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. 4
“New Horizons – Forestry in Papua New Guinea a Dept of Forests Publication 1973 Jacaranda Press.
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