Forest Inventory

Data and information are required to manage a renewable natural resource (such as forest) sustainably. This information is largely obtained through forest inventories. Forest inventory is very important in forest management since it provides the data for planning, monitoring, evaluation, research, growth and yield, biodiversity, and timber sale. Inadequate and/or irregular forest inventory has resulted to paucity of data on which forest management decisions can be based. This study aimed at enlightening conservationists, ecologists, environmentalists, and forest managers on the need to carryout diversity assessment and inventory of flora and fauna resources within their forest ecosystems. This will help to ensure sustainable yield and prevent the extinction of economic trees and endangered animal species in the tropical dry forests. The study therefore recommended that inventory should be carryout among the tropical dry forests at regular intervals.