5. Description of field forms

There are six different forms, as indicated in the below table.

Table 7. Field forms description and corresponding information level

Form No.	Information
F1a/b	Tract: General information and access
F2	Plot: Marker position, plot access and plan
F3a/b	Plot and SPL1: Trees and stumps measurements (Dbh ≥10 cm)
F4a/b	Subplots: Edaphic and topographic measurement points and tree measurements within the SPL2 (Dbh < 10 cm)
F5	LUS: General information, stand structure and management
F6	Plot: Forest products and services and forest users

5.1 Form F1: Tract

This form will be filled for each tract (1 km x 1 km). It contains general information related to the tract location and identification; information on the people living in the surrounding area of the tract and on the distance to the main infrastructures. The name list of persons involved in the inventory is also included.

Headline: identification of the tract

- Country name (1)

- Tract Nº (2): identification number of the tract (from 1 to total tract number). See map with tracts (see Figure 1).

A. Tract location: general information on tract location.

- (ADM1) (7): name of the first administrative division level (e.g. state) where the tract is located.

- (ADM2) (8): name of the second administrative division level (e.g. province) where the tract is located.

- (ADM3) (9): name of the third administrative division level (e.g. district) where the tract is located.

- (ADM4) (10): other administrative divisions (e.g. locality, municipality, etc).

- Global Ecological Zone (GEZ) (11): name of the global ecological zone where the tract is located, based on the FRA Global Ecological Zones map. The various classes are as follows:

- Altitude (12): altitude in meters above the sea level of the central point of the tract. Can be determined from a topographic map or from GPS as the average of the altitude at each plot starting point.

- Maps and aerial photos (13): name of used maps, aerial photographs or satellite images (acquisition date, coordinates).

- Coordinates tract SW corner (14): latitude (14a) and longitude (14b) in decimal degrees of the south-western corner of the tract.

- Projected coordinate system (14c): projected coordinated system used for the NFA (for GPS reading and maps).

B. Crew/Owner/Informant list (15-20)

This table will include name (15), address (16) and telephone number (17) of:

- Crew leader (18a): the leader of the crew in current tract. In this case, “crew leader” will be ticked.

- Crew members (18b): other crew members working in the tract. In this case, “crew member” (18) will be ticked.

- Owner (19): owner(s) of all, or part of the land where the tract is located. In this case, “owner” will be ticked.

- Informant (20): the persons interviewed in the tract referred to by a code indicating existing relationship between the informant and the tract. To be indicated by marking the appropriate checkboxes, according to option list (multiple choice possible):

C. Population

- Population on site (21): estimate of the number of people living in the tract.

- Year of settlement (22): approximate year when the settlement was established in the tract. If there is no inhabitant in the tract, or if the information is not known, write respectively “n.a.” (not applicable) or “unknown” in the box.

- Population dynamics (23): trend of the population living in or close to the tract, in the past 5 years. To be indicated according to an option list:

- Permanent population main activity (24): income generation and employment sources of most of the permanent population living within the tract or in the surroundings. The expression “income generation” refers to activities to satisfy basic needs such as food and housing, i.e. self-sufficient farmers or workers in the town. These data are entered according to an option list:

Options	Description/definition	Code
Not applicable	No inhabitants in the tract or surroundings	0
Crop production	Cropping activities	1
Livestock/ Herding	Pasture, herding	2
Forestry	Livelihood and income generation provided by the forest and related activities, including processing and marketing of forest products	3
Urban/peri-urban	Work in the town or in the industrial sector – income generated from services.	4
Tourism	Income generated from tourism or activities related to recreation.	5
Fishery	Livelihood and income generation provided by fishing activities	6
Mining	Mining and land extraction activities	7
Not known		90
Others	To be indicated in the notes. Includes subsidies, etc.	99

- Overall main activity (24a): income generation and employment sources of most of the total population including both permanent and seasonal population living within the tract or in the surroundings. These data are entered according to an option list:

Options	Description/definition	Code
Not applicable	No inhabitants in the tract or surroundings	0
Crop production	Livelihood and income generation provided by cropping activities	1
Livestock/ Herding	Livelihood and income generation provided by livestock, pasture, herding	2
Forestry	Livelihood and income generation provided by the forest and related activities, including processing and marketing of forest products	3
Urban/ Peri-urban	Work in the town or in the industrial sector – income generated from services	4
Tourism	Income generated from tourism or activities related to recreation.	5
Fishery	Livelihood and income generation provided by fishing activities	6
Mining	Mining and land extraction activities	7
Not known		90
Others	To be indicated in the notes. Includes subsidies, etc.	99

- Settlement history (25): major historical events that have affected the local people and land use in the area and date or periods of these events (25a). To be indicated by marking appropriate checkbox(es) (multiple choice possible):

Options	Description/definition	Code
Not applicable	No inhabitants in the tract or surroundings	0
Wars/conflicts		1
Change of ownership/land tenure		2
Expansion of agriculture	Land converted to agriculture fields or pastures	3
Urban development	Land changed from agricultural production, open rangeland, forest, or recreational uses to residential, commercial, or industrial uses	5
Infrastructure, electric power	Infrastructure, e.g., roads, water or water channel, electric line, recently installed in the tract	6
Socio-economic crisis	Change in consumption patterns due to drastic change in income generation	7
Natural disaster		8
Rural-to-urban migration	Migration of people from rural areas to urban areas	9
Urban-to-rural migration	Migration of people from urban areas to rural areas	10
Rural-to-rural migration	Migration of people from a rural area to another	11
Urban-to-urban migration	Migration of people from a urban area to another	12
Immigration	There has been an influx of people from other country(ies) moving to the area	13
Emigration	There has been an exodus of people from the area to other country(ies)	14
Others	To be specified

D. Proximity to infrastructure

- All-weather road (26): distance, in km, to reach the closest all-weather road (accessible by motor vehicle all the year), departing from the tract centre (equal to 0 if the road is located within the tract).

- Seasonal road (27): distance, in km, from the centre of the tract to the closest seasonal road (road accessible by motor vehicle during some seasons only, equal to 0 if it is located within the tract).

- Settlement (28): distance, in km, from the tract centre to the closest inhabited area (equal to 0 if it is located within the tract).

- Hospital (29): distance, in km, to reach the closest hospital, departing from the tract centre (equal to 0 if the hospital is located within the tract).

- School (30): distance, in km, to reach the closest school, departing from the tract centre (equal 0 if the school is located within the tract).

- Market (31): distance, in km, to reach the closest market, departing from the tract centre (equal to 0 if the market is located within the tract).

E. Tract access

- Starting position (32): latitude (32a) and longitude (32b) in decimal degrees, or coordinates X (32d) and Y (32c) in meters (in the coordinate system adopted) where the field crew starts accessing the tract by foot (i.e. at the closest road accessible by motor vehicle).

- Access Time – Start time (33): time when leaving vehicle to access the tract by foot (hour: minutes).

- Access Time – End time (34): time when arriving at the first plot (hour: minutes).

- Arriving at plot No (34b): number of the first surveyed plot (from 1 to 4).

Reference points of access path: these points will be used to retrieve the tract in the future. An itinerary sketch representing the access path from the road to the tract will be drawn on a separate page while accessing the tract and attached.

The following data must be filled in for each tract:

- ID (35): reference point ID (number from 1 to a series of reference points); this number is reported on the attached itinerary scheme.

- Description (36): brief description of reference point (i.e. road, river, house, rock)

- Latitude (37a) and longitude (37b): position given by GPS (in decimal degrees or in meters in the adopted coordinate system).

- Photo ID (36b): “three-digit tract number” + “-0.” + ”running photo on the access path to tract” (e.g. the 3^rd photo taken on the access path to tract number 028 = 028-0.3).

- Bearing (36d): compass bearing in which the photo is taken (from 0 to 360 degrees).

- Notes (38): general notes concerning the tract.

.

5.2 Form F2: Plot

This form will be filled in for each plot contained in the tract (thus, a total of 4 per tract). The forms will include the general data on the plot and the information on its location and access.

Plot identification

- Country name (1)

- Tract Nº (2): identification number of the tract (from 1 to total tract number). See map with tracts (see Figure 1).

- Plot Nº (3): identification number of the plot (1 to 4).

A. Plot access

This section is not completed for the first visited plot in the tract.

- Starting position (34): latitude (34e) and longitude (34f) in decimal degrees, or coordinates X (34g) and Y (34h) in meters in the coordinate system adopted) where the field crew starts accessing the plot by foot (at the closest road accessible by motor vehicle or from the previous surveyed plot).

- Access time - Start time (34i): time when the field crew starts accessing the plot by foot (hour: minutes).

- Access time - End time (34j): time when arriving at the plot (hour: minutes).

B. Time record of work within Plot

- Date 1 (48): first date of measurement in the plot (day / month / year)

- Date 2 (50): second date of measurement if the work in the plot cannot be completed within one day.

- Start time (49): start time of measurement in the plot (hour : minutes) at the first (49a) or second (49b) measurement day

- End time (51): end time of measurement in the plot (hour : minutes)) at the first (50a) or second (51b) measurement day

C. Plot starting point description

This part contains the indications to identify the plot starting point and the marker location:

Plot starting point (calculated)

- Latitude (39a) and Longitude (39b): the coordinates of the plot starting point according to the projection system adopted (meters).

Marker position (GPS reading)

- Latitude (40a) and Longitude (40b): latitude and longitude coordinates in the projection system adopted.

- Distance from Marker to Plot starting point (41): distance in meters from the plot starting point to the marker (equal to “0” if the marker and the starting point coincide).

- Bearing from Marker to Plot starting point (42): compass bearing (from 0 to 360 degrees) from marker to the plot starting point (equal to “0” if the marker and the plot starting point coincide).

Plot starting point plan (43):

Three accurate and, if possible, permanent reference points such as rock, house, bridge, dominant/outstanding trees must be selected in order to be able to find the marker in the future. The orientation and distance of three reference points, from the marker should be measured. The three bearings should preferably be as different as possible and not in alignment. These reference points, as well as the plot start position, will be represented in the plan.

The scheme centre corresponds to the marker (“ M ”). The plot starting point (“ P ”) and the reference points must be represented in the scheme according to the bearing from the marker (as shown on the protractor, from 0 to 360 degrees). The distance from the marker will also be indicated. An example is given below:

Figure 6. Example of Plot starting point plan (form F2)

Information and measurements concerning the reference points will also be reported into a table as following (see example below):

- ID (44): identification of the reference points (e.g. R1).

- Description (45): description of the reference points (e.g. north side of rock, ).

- Bearing (46): orientation of the reference points from the marker.

- Distance (47): distance of the reference points to the marker.

A recommendable supplement to the registration of reference points could be to photograph each reference point from the marker position (36c).

- Photo ID (36c): “Three-digit tract number” + “-“ + ”plot number” + “.” + ”running photo number within plot” (e.g. 3^rd photo taken in the 2^nd plot tract number 028 = 028-2. )

Figure 7. Example of table recording the Reference points surrounding marker position

D. Plot plan (52): Scheme displaying plot layout

The scheme represents the plot as a whole. The rectangular and the circular subplots are both drawn in the scheme. The starting point is located at the bottom of the page. The central axis of the plot (X axis), at 0 m on the vertical axis (Y axis), and the locations of circular and rectangular subplots centres (located on the main axis, at 5 m, 125 m and 245 m) are included.

The following objects should be drawn:

- Borderlines of the LUS, including the code of the land use classes in the corresponding sections.

- Intersections with infrastructure (roads, paths…) and water courses, as line object, including the code and width of the road/water course. The line drawing corresponds to the centre of the road/stream.

Codes must be attached to the lines according to the legend included in the form (water course, road type).

In the plot plan, any explanatory notes may be written. When entering the fieldwork data in the database these notes must be entered in the field 52a plot plan notes in the database.

- Plot end point (39e and 39f): latitude and longitude coordinates of the plot end point in meters, in the coordinate system adopted (GPS reading).

- Notes (53): general notes concerning the whole plot.

5.3 Form F3: Plot - Tree and stump measurements (Dbh > 10 cm)

This form consists of a table where information related to all the trees and stumps measured in the plots will be recorded, apart from tree regeneration (height over 1.3m and Dbh under 10 cm) whose data, collected at subplot level 2, will be reported in the form F4 (see Table 5).

Plot identification

- Country name (1)

- Tract Nº (2): identification number of the tract (from 1 to total tract number). See map with tracts (see Figure 1).

- Plot Nº (3): identification number of the plot (1 to 4):

Table: This table will contain data related to:

- All trees and stumps with Dbh ≥ 20 cm present in the plot ;

- Trees and stumps with a Dbh between 10 to 20 cm measured in rectangular subplots;

- Trees and stumps with a Dbh ≥ 10 cm present in all non-forest sections.

When a stump is lower than 1.3m, the diameter it is measured at stump height (Dsh).

- LUS No (4): identification number (from 1 to number of land use sections) of the LUS where the tree/stump is found.

- Tree No (55): tree identification number. Trees are numbered consecutively in the order they are measured.

- Species (56): either common/local (56a) or scientific (56b) species name of the tree.

Tree/Stump location: Tree/Stump location in plot:

- Along plot axis (57a): Horizontal distance in meters along the plot axis from plot starting point to the tree (from 0 to 250 m).

- Left or right axis (57b): Horizontal distance in meters from the plot central axis to the tree (from 0 to 10 m).

- Dbh (58): tree or stump diameter, in centimetres:

- In the case of a tree, diameter in centimetres at breast height (1.3 m) (see Appendix section 6.2.1 for diameter measurements and particular cases).

- In the case of a stump, the stump diameter in centimetres at breast height (Dbh) or measured at the top of the stump if the stump is lower than 1.3 m (Dsh).

- Diameter height (59): height of diameter measurement in meters, if different from breast height (1.3 m).

- Year(s) since cut (60): only for stumps. Estimated time since the tree was cut according to option list:

- Total height (61): total tree or stump height in meters (see appendix section 6.2.2. In the case of a stump, to be indicated only if the stump is more than 1.3 m.

- Commercial height (62): commercial tree height in meters (only for trees).

- Stem quality (63): estimated stem quality (only for trees). To be indicated according to option list:

Health (only for trees):

- Condition (64): intensity of the symptom, to be indicated according to option list:

- Causing agents (65): causing agents that have been identified (diseases, insects, animals, etc.) according to option list:

Branches: Up to four major branches (minimum diameter > 25 cm and length > 2 m) per tree should be measured if the branches represent a relatively large proportion of the tree woody volume.

- D1, D2, D3, D4(66a-d): mean diameter, in centimetres, of measured part of branch

- L1, L2, L3 L4 (67a-d): length, in meters, of measured branch.

Tree Notes (68): notes concerning the trees and stumps.

5.4 Form F4: Subplots and measurement points

This form contains the information on tree regeneration on the circular subplots (subplot level 2, SPL2) as well as on edaphic and topographic variables from the measurement points (MP). Subplots and Measurement Points are only established in land use section classified as “forest”.

Plot identification

- Country name (1).

- Tract Nº (2): identification number of the tract (from 1 to total tract number).

- Plot Nº (3): identification number of the plot (1 to 4).

A. Measurement points: Topography and Soil

Variables on topography and soil are collected in three fixed measurement points located in the centre of each subplot (measurement points).

This section of the form includes three boxes corresponding to the three measurement points.

- LUS Nº (4): Identification number (from 1 to number of land use sections) of the LUS where the measurement point is located.

- Orientation (70): slope orientation at measurement point. To be indicated as compass bearing (from 0 to 360º). On flat terrain write “n.a.” (not applicable).

- Slope (71): the average inclination at the measurement point. To be indicated in %.

- Relief (72): topographic position of subplots. Characterized by microrelief. To be indicated according to option list:

- Soil texture (73a): texture class (grain or basic particles of the soil dimensions) of a soil sample collected at the measurement point level (centre of subplot). To be described according to option list:

- Detailed soil texture (73b): texture class (grain or basic particles of the soil dimensions) of a soil sample collected at the measurement point level (centre of subplot). To be described according to option list:

- Soil drainage (74): average soil drainage within subplot. To be described according to option list:

- Organic matter (75): is defined by the thickness of the organic matter stratum, excluding litter. To be indicated according to option list:

B. Subplots level 1 and level 2 – Area covered by forest

- SP1L1, SP2L1, SP3L1 width (54a): width of the part of subplot level 1 (SPL1) covered by forest in meters. If the whole subplot level 1 is covered by forest, then the default width is 10 m. If part of the subplot falls into land use classes other than “forest”, this area should be reduced accordingly.

- SP1L1, SP2L1, SP3L1 length (54a): length of the part of subplot level 1 (SPL1) covered by forest in meters. If the whole SPL1 is covered by forest, then the default width is 20 m. If part of the subplot falls into other than “forest”, this area should be reduced accordingly.

- SP1L2, SP2L2, SP3L2 (76a-c): area of the subplot level 2 (SPL2) covered by forest in square meters. The default area is 50m². If part of the SPL2 falls into “other than “forest”, this area should be reduced accordingly.

C. Subplots level 2 - Tree measurements (trees above 1.3 m height with Dbh <10 cm)

As in previous cases, this section must be filled for each Subplot level 2 that falls into a Land Use Section classified as “forest”.

Each line of the table corresponds to one species found in any of the Subplot level 2. In the columns of the table the tree species name and the corresponding number of individual found in each subplot are registered.

- Species (77): either common/local (77a) or scientific (77b) species name of the tree.

- Counts (78a): allows to count individual trees over 1.3 m and with a Dbh < 10 cm, per species, present in each subplot level 2;

- Total (78): Total number (sum of counts) of individual trees over 1.3 m and with a Dbh < 10cm, per species, present in each subplot level 2.

- Notes (79): Notes concerning measurement points and subplots level 1 and level 2.

5.5 Form F5: land use/forest type section (LUS)

Information on Land Use Sections (LUS) found in a given Plot will be registered on this form. It contains general data related to the LUS as well as data on forest structure and management and the use of forest and tree resources. Up to 3 different LUS can be recorded in one form.

Plot identification

- Country name (1).

- Tract Nº (2): identification number of the tract (from 1 to total tract number).

- Plot Nº (3): identification number of the plot (1 to 4).

- LUS number (4): identification number of the Land use section, from 1 to the number of LUS identified.

A. General: This section should be filled out for each LUS.

- Land use (80): alphanumeric code describing the land use/forest type class in the LUS, according to classification described in section 3, page 9. In case of inaccessible areas where the LU class cannot be specified, write “nk” (=”not known”) in the box.

- Width (81a): average width of the LUS in meters.

- Length (81b): average length of the LUS in meters.

- Accessibility (80b): Condition of accessibility of the Land Use Section. To be indicated according to option list:

- Tree Canopy cover (92a): ground surface covered by the vertical projection of the tree canopies, expressed as percentage of the total ground area in the LUS. To be indicated according to option list:

- Designation / Protection status (82): protection status and legal/official designation. To be indicated according to option list:

- Land ownership (83): land ownership designation under which most of the LUS is defined. To be indicated according to option list:

- Environmental problems (84): main environmental problems observed/identified within the LUS. To be indicated by marking the appropriate checkbox (multiple choice possible):

- Trees expected (88): Trend in tree density expected in LUS within 5 years. To be captured through interview and indicated according to option list:

B. Forest¹ management and structure: This section should be filled out only for LUS within forest and other wooded land

- Tree origin (90): to be indicated by marking the appropriate checkbox (multiple choice possible):

- Stand structure (91): distinct canopy layers in the stand. To be indicated according to an option list:

- Shrub coverage (92b): vertical projection of the shrub canopies as percentage of the total ground area. To be indicated according to option list:

- Shrub height (92c): average height of the shrubs expressed in meters.

- Management plan (93): any existing forest² management plan. To be indicated according to option list:

- Management agreement (93b): management arrangement between the land owner and other groups. To be indicated according to option list:

- Disturbances (94): impact level of human activity in the forest³. To be indicated according to option list:

Fire:

- Fire occurrence (85): the presence or absence of fire evidence in the LUS. To be indicated according to options list:

- Fire area (86): surface of fire in the LUS. To be indicated in m².

- Fire type (87): to be indicated according to option list (multiple choice):

- Timber exploitation (95): exploitation system applied in the LUS. To be indicated by marking the appropriate checkbox (multiple choice possible):

- Silviculture (96): visible silvicultural practices (cutting). To be indicated by marking the appropriate checkbox (multiple choice possible):

- Technology used (97): technology used for tree exploitation. To be indicated by marking the appropriate checkbox (multiple choice possible):

- Notes (98): general notes concerning the LUS.

5.6 Form F6: Forest Products and Services

This form contains the information on products and services (P/S) provided by trees and forests⁴. One form will be completed for each land use class found in the plot. Most of the information will be collected through interviews and observations and organized in the table.

Plot identification

- Country name (1).

- Tract Nº (2): identification number of the tract (from 1 to total tract number).

- Plot Nº (3): identification number of the plot (1 to 4).

- Land use (80): alphanumeric code describing the land use class.

Table for the products and services (P/S) provided by the trees and forests

- Product/service category (99): categories of products, services and benefits provided by the trees and forest⁵ in a given land use class (one line for each product/service category). To be indicated according to option list:

- P/S Ranking (99a): ranking of the product or service (P/S) according to importance. To be indicated according to option list:

- Species (111): list of species collected in the P/S category by land use. The species will be ranked according to their importance (high, medium or low) and indicated in the corresponding lines as mentioned in the column labelled Species Rank (111a) (respectively H, M or L)⁶.

- Conflicts (104): existence of conflicts between different users of the P/S. To be indicated according to option list:

- Demand trend (105): trend of P/S demand during the last 5 years. To be indicated according to option list:

- Supply trend (106): trend of P/S supply or stock during the last 5 years. To be indicated according to option list:

Harvesting/Use: each line of this section of the table corresponds to a harvester/user category.

- Harvester /user (101): the harvester/user group of the P/S is indicated by the following codes:

- Harvester/User Rank (101a): ranking of the user groups according to the harvested quantity/frequency of use of the product/service. To be indicated according to option list:

- User rights (103): right to harvest/use the P/S. To be indicated according to option list:

- Organization level (101b): level in which regime activity is carried out. To be indicated according to option list:

- Gender balance (101c): Gender balance of harvesters/users. To be indicated according to option list:

- Child labour (101d): if more than 30% of the work related to harvesting/activity is done by children indication should be made in check box.

- End-use (102): main end-use of P/S. To be indicated according to option list:

- Frequency (108): frequency of harvesting/use of the P/S. To be indicated according to option list:

- Trend (109): trend of harvesting/use of the P/S during the last 5 years. To be indicated according to option list:

- Change reason (110): reason of change in trend of harvesting/use of the P/S during the last 5 years. To be indicated according to option list:

Legislation:

- Awareness (101e): awareness of the legislation regarding the P/S related to the harvester/user. When major parts of the user group are aware of the legal restrictions, this should be indicated by marking the checkbox.

- Compliance (101f): compliance to legislation for the P/S (any user). If the majority of the user group act in compliance with the legislation, this should be indicated by marking the checkbox.

Forestry incentives:

- Awareness (101g): awareness of forestry incentives for the product/service by legal users. If the majority of the user group is aware of the forestry incentives, this should be indicated by marking the checkbox.

- Application (101g): application to forestry incentive for the product/service by legal users. If the majority of the user group has applied or is applying for forestry incentives, this should be indicated by marking the checkbox.

- Notes (98): notes regarding forest products and services in the plot.

¹ Woodlands may be included for dry forest countries.

² Woodlands may be included for dry forest countries.

³ Woodlands may be included for dry forest countries.

⁴ Woodlands may be included for dry forest countries.

⁵ Woodlands may be included for dry forest countries.

⁶ If a product is collected from shrubs in “other wooded land”, it should be mentioned.