The information on “growing stock” is essential to understand dynamics of forest stands, their productive capacity and to manage their use within limits of sustainability defined by their dynamics of growth.
A. Global Classification and Definitions (FRA 2005)
Growing Stock |
Volume of all living trees more than X cm in diameter at breast height (or above buttress if these are higher) measured over bark from ground or stump height to a top stem diameter of Y cm, excluding or including branches to a minimum diameter of Z cm. Excludes: smaller branches, twigs, foliage, flowers, seeds, stump and roots. |
Commercial Growing Stock |
The part of the growing stock of species, considered as actually or potentially commercial under current market conditions, measured above a minimum say “X cm” diameter at breast height. Includes: all potentially commercial (merchantable) species for domestic or international markets. |
Source: FAO. 2004. Terms and Definition FRA-2005. FRA Working paper 73. Rome
B. National Data Sources
Forest Survey of India (FSI) is an Government of India organization under the Ministry of Environment & Forests. Since early 1980s, it is regularly conducting assessment of forest resources at an interval of about 2 years using remotely sensed data and publishes the information in the “State of Forest Report” (SFR). Field inventory, which is an essential component of forest survey has been in operation in Forest Survey of India since 1965. However, calculation of growing stock from forest cover data for the country was only attempted for 1984 and 1994, which were taken from the State of Forest Report 1989 and 1997 respectively. Though the growing stock calculation was carried out for various international communications but this data has not yet been published.
Information Year |
Source |
1984 |
SFR, 1989. State of Forest Report 1989. Forest Survey of India, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India. |
1994 |
SFR, 1997. State of Forest Report 1997. Forest Survey of India, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India. |
2000 |
SFR, 2001. State of Forest Report, 2001. Forest Survey of India, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India. |
C. National Classification and Definitions
The following table provides the definition of growing stock as used by Forest Survey of India, Ministry of Environment and Forest, India.
Growing Stock |
The sum-total of all trees, by number or volume or biomass, growing within a particular area of interest. Explanation: Volume of all living trees more than 10 cm in diameter at breast height (or above buttress if these are higher) measured over bark from ground or stump height to a top stem diameter of 10 cm, excluding or including branches to a minimum diameter of 5 cm. Excludes: smaller branches, twigs, foliage, flowers, seeds, stump and roots |
Commercial Growing Stock |
The part of the growing stock of species, considered as actually or potentially commercial under current market conditions, measured above a minimum of 10 cm diameter at breast height. Includes: all potentially commercial (merchantable) species for domestic markets. Explanation: This definition is based on the definition given by FAO as in India there is no separate definition for commercial growing stock available. |
D. National Data
Categories |
Growing Stock in million cu.m. | |
1984 |
1994 | |
Forests |
4328.5 |
4340.0 |
E. Calibration
Not considered necessary
F. Estimation and Forecasting
The growing stock for 1990 based on forest cover assessment for the period 1984 and 1994 as mentioned above is as following. The figures for the year 2000 and 2005 have been forecasted using regression estimates.
Categories |
Growing Stock in million cu.m. | ||
1990 |
2000 |
2005 | |
Forests |
4335.4 |
4629.1 |
4639.1 |
G. Reclassification into FRA 2005 Classes
Table: Reclassification (Percentage allocation) into FRA 2005 classes
National Classification |
Percentage of a National Class belonging to a FRA Class | |
Growing Stock |
Commercial Growing Stock | |
Growing stock |
100 |
Only 40 percent of the total growing stock is considered to be Commercial. |
H. National Information for FRA 2005 Global Tables
Table: Input for FRA 2005
8. National Information for FRA 2005 Global Tables | |||
Growing Stock in Forests |
Volume in "million" cubic meters | ||
|
1990 |
2000 |
2005 |
4335.4 |
4629.1 |
4639.1 | |
Commercial Growing Stock |
1734.16 |
1851.64 |
1855.64 |
Note: Commercial growing stock assumed 40 percent of “Growing Stock”
Appendix 1 to National Reporting Table 5
Item |
Unit |
Information | |
1984 |
1994 | ||
1. How much of growing stock is of broadleaved trees |
million m3 |
3398.3 |
3355.3 |
2. How much of growing stock is of coniferous trees |
million m3 |
749.1 |
795.8 |
3. How much growing stock is of mixed (coniferous + broadleaved) |
million m3 |
181.0 |
189.0 |
4.. Area over which all Growing Stock has been measured |
"000" ha |
63880 |
63340 |
5. Minimum diameter at breast height of trees in Growing Stock |
cm |
10 |
10 |
6. Minimum diameter at the top end of stem of trees in Growing Stock |
cm |
10 |
10 |
7. Minimum diameter of the branches in Growing Stock |
cm |
5 |
5 |
8. Average height of the stumps (can be zero if cut at ground level) |
cm |
10 |
10 |
9. Have above thresholds (points 5 to 8) changed since 1990 |
Yes/No |
No |
No |
7. If yes, then attach a separate note giving details of the change |
Attachment |
- |
- |
