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This open access book deals with the methods and the results of the third Italian national forest inventory (INFC2015). Arma dei Carabinieri is entrusted with the realisation of the National Forest Inventory and with the decisions about the aims of the survey and data treatment. National forest inventories produce statistically based information on forests over country areas. Such information is used either at subnational or at supranational level in a great number of spheres and processes, included possibility to depict the status of the world forests. Italy conducted its first forest inventory in 1985 and in 2001 a permanent national forest inventory was launched to have periodically updated statistics. Due to the growing concern about the environment and especially the climate change, estimating forests carbon pools was a stated main objective and it was accordingly named Italian National Inventory of Forest and Forest Carbon Pools (INFC). The book begins witha description of the general organisation, the definitions, the methods and the estimation procedures. It proceeds showing the main estimates produced by INFC2015, in tables that are given in the book chapters. The estimates are presented through texts that introduce the subject matter, explain the way the related variables were surveyed and comment on the main outcomes with the help of graphics. The estimates presented include forest area, management and production, biodiversity and protection, forest health, protective and socio-economics functions. Role of forest in the carbon balance was analysed in a specific Chapter, as this is important for its role in the climate change mitigation. The book ends providing an understanding of the current dynamics of Italian forests by comparing the estimates obtained from INFC2005 and INFC2015, the last two national surveys.

The book presents the current state and good practices of national forest inventories in monitoring wood resources and demonstrates pathways for harmonisation and improved common reporting. Beyond a general overview over availability and use of wood resources in different countries, it provides a unique collection of original contributions from national forest inventory experts with in-depth descriptions of current NFI methods in assessing wood availability and wood use in European countries, and selected countries from America and Asia.The main topics are national definitions and improvements in common reporting of forests available for wood supply, stem quality and assortments, estimation of change including growth and drain, and tree resources outside forest land. The book is a must-have for everyone who is contributing to national forest inventories either methodologically or operatively, for people who want or need to understand national forest inventory provided data and information on the availability of wood resources. By providing profound knowledge it is a valuable basis for scientists involved in scenario modelling and analysing effects of climate change, as well as individuals in private organisations and public administrations promoting the sustainable use of natural resources and the potential of green economy.

Forest inventories throughout the world have evolved gradually over time. The content as well as the concepts and de?nitions employed are constantly adapted to the users'needs. Advanced inventory systems have been established in many countries within Europe, as well as outside Europe, as a result of development work spanning several decades, in some cases more than 100 years. With continuously increasing international agreements and commitments, the need for information has also grown drastically, and reporting requests have become more frequent and the content of the reports wider. Some of the agreements made at the international level have direct impacts on national economies and international decisions, e. g., the Kyoto Protocol. Thus it is of utmost importance that the forest information supplied is collected and analysed using sound scienti?c principles and that the information from different countries is comparable. European National Forest Inventory (NFI) teams gathered in Vienna in 2003 to discuss the new challenges and the measures needed to get data users to take full advantage of existing NFIs. As a result, the European National Forest Inventory Network (ENFIN), a network of NFIs, was established. The ENFIN members decided to apply for funding for meetings and collaborative activities. COST– European Cooperation in Science and Technology - provided the necessary?n- cial means for the realization of the program.