Informatics Publishing Limited

S. Sandeep ¹, M. Sivaram ², H. Matieu ³, B. Luca ³, G. Rini ⁴

Affiliations
1 Soil Science Department, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, Thrissur, Kerala, IN
2 Statistics Department, National Diary Research Institute, Banglore, IN
3 Forest Department, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Vialedelle Terme di Caracalla, Rome, IT
4 Statistics Department, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, IN

Abstract

Estimation of volume, biomass and carbon stocks support several applications from the commercial exploitation of timber to global carbon cycle. Especially in the latter context the estimation of tree biomass with sufficient accuracy is essential to determine annual changes of carbon stored in particular ecosystems. Under the aegis of UN - REDD programme an extensive database on tree allometry in South Asia (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) was prepared by extensive and exhaustive literature collected from the region by institutional visits, bibliographic databases and FAO reports. An evaluation of this data on tree allometry in South Asia shows that there exists a total of 4456 equations on volume, biomass, BEF, carbon and other growth variables for 375 species belonging to 96 families and 275 genera. Proportionate allocation of allometric models for different species in the collected documents is not homogenous with commercially important ones capturing more percentage share of equations. Vague description of tree components and output terms reduces the quality of allometric equations developed in the region. Also the geographical distribution of these allometric equations is highly skewed and conscious efforts should be taken to unearth documents on allometry in the neglected life zones.

Keywords

Tree Allometric Equation, Estimation of Volume, Biomass, Carbon Stock, South Asia.

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M. Sivaram ¹, S. Sandeep ², S. Jinesh ², K. S. Sujith ², G. Rini ²

Affiliations
1 Southern Regional Station,ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bangalore, IN
2 Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, IN

Abstract

The timber market in developing countries is unorganized and there is no proper system available to track the timber market trends. The aim of the study was to develop a computer based decision support system to monitor the timber prices. This system is called as Timber Market Intelligence System (TMIS). In order to monitor the prices of various timber species, timber price indices were constructed using three approaches viz., Laspeyre's, Pasche's and Fisher's Price Index and implemented in TMIS. The price forecast models were also incorporated. The TMIS was demonstrated using the timber price data of Timber Sales Depots of Kerala Forests and Wildlife Department for the period 2005 to 2009. The results indicated that one of the three price index approaches is sufficient to track the teak prices. A simple aggregate price index was found useful in the case of other species Artocarpus hirsutus, Grewia tiliifolia, Xylia xlocarpa, Terminelia paniculata, Terminelia bellirica, Terminelia tomentosa and Largerstroemia microcarpa. The maximum growth in teak prices was observed during the period 2006 to 2007 and only a marginal increase was observed from the year 2008 onwards. The annual growth rate in the prices of teak was lower as compared to other timber species.

Keywords

Timber Market Intelligence, Timber Price Index, Timber Depots.

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