Forest Structure Mapping in Forest Reserves

The FVA in Freiburg is responsible for the monitoring of forest reserves in Baden-Württemberg. Also known as “Bannwälder,” these forests are strictly protected against any interventions, whether for biodiversity conservation, ecosystem management or natural resource extraction. This allows for scientific investigations regarding naturally occurring processes in these forests. UNIQUE was commissioned to support this research by carrying out a sample-based inventory to map the forest structure with over 500 sample points in the Black Forest and the Swabian Alb. Various inventory techniques were applied, including first time inventories as well as repetitions. Since some forest reserves showed strong damages from windfall, access was extremely difficult and an adapted inventory technique had to be applied.