A review of the application of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in forestry.

Forests play a key role in global ecosystem conservation and environmental maintenance. Forestry, which includes plant active components, germplasm resources and vegetation dynamics, has received significant attention. Compared with conventional techniques, near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) provides rapid, noninvasive, economically efficient and real time results. In this review, we assess the historical and contemporary applications of qualitative and quantitative analysis using NIRS in forestry, including the discrimination of tree species, seeds, woods, and insect species, and the determination of properties of woods, plant tissues, soils, litters and others. In addition, we consider the disadvantages and future application trend of NIRS in forestry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]