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SUMMARY Australian forest disease situations are used to illustrate the forms of loss due to disease in the growth impact concept. The pattern of disease in Australian forests is likely to change considerably as a result of the application of basic management techniques. The necessity for a national forest inventory, which assesses the growth impact of loss due to disease and other factors, is stressed.

SUMMARY The purposes, objectives, and prescriptions for a proposed National Forest Inventory of Australia prepared by an interstate conference are outlined. Production of a forest map and the volume inventory of an area in Victoria on these prescriptions are discussed. The forest map, on 1 mile to 1 in. military map basis, shows forest types, stand size, height and density classes interpreted from air photos. The volume inventory was carried out by a stratified random procedure, using 1-ac. rectangular plots as units. The project proved that the prescriptions for the proposed National Forest Inventory are practicable, and that a descriptive and statistical statement of the forest resources of a comparatively large and valuable area for which there is little information can be made available to a forest service, for planning at the resources level, in a relatively short time by a small but properly managed sample.