The AFI is an association established in 1991 to promote continuous cover forestry through studying stands managed using continuous cover forestry principles. It established an international network of research stands in irregular high forest to improve understanding of irregular forest management. The network monitors stands using a standardized inventory methodology involving permanent sample plots where tree data is recorded to allow dendrometric, economic, and individual tree increment monitoring over time. Research stands consist of compartments with grids of permanent sample plots where tree attributes are surveyed to collect inventory data for monitoring the stands.

1. Continuous Cover Forestry:
the AFI inventory methodology
and network of research stands
Philippe Morgan
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2. Pro Silva
Association Futaie Irrégulière AFI
The AFI is an association registered in 1991 by a group of
forestry consultants, all members of Pro Silva
Aim:
To promote continuous cover forestry through the study of
stands managed to CCF principles
 Setup an international network of Research stands in
irregular high forest
 Improve the understanding of irregular forest
management through sylvicultural, economic and
ecological monitoring and analysis
International Seminar Series in Forest Conservation - The AFI Network of Irregular High Forest
Research stands
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3. International Seminar Series in Forest Conservation - The AFI Network of Irregular High Forest Research
stands
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Geographical distribution of the AFI Network

4. International Seminar Series in Forest Conservation - The AFI Network of Irregular High Forest Research
stands
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Kilsheelan, Tickincor, County Tipperary
Knockrath, County Wicklow Monivea, County Galway
Rahin, County Kildare
Mellory, Lackinrea, County
Waterford
Lisdowney, Jenkinstown, County Kilkenny Curraghchase, County Limerick
AFI in Ireland
7 Research stands
2007, 2012

5. AFI Mensuration Protocol Research stands consist of:
• 1 or more compartments (5 to 15 ha)
• 10 or 12 permanent PPS sample plots
• Each tree is surveyed recording the bearing
and distance from the plot centre
This provides:
• Dendrometric monitoring
• Economic monitoring
• Individual increment monitoring
(150 to 200 trees)
North
Fixed angle plot
+ fixed radius plot
(R = 10 m) for
Poles & coppice + 3
regeneration sub-plots
(R = 1.5 m)
Direction of bearings
Trees counted inside the plot
(as a function of their diameter and the
distance to the plot centre at a chosen BAF)
Inventory Record Form
with the different dendrometric
variables recorded
…
Compartment to be
inventoried
Permanent sample plots
laid out on a grid
Thirlmere
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6. International Seminar Series in Forest Conservation - The AFI Network of
Irregular High Forest Research stands
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7. International Seminar Series in Forest Conservation - The AFI Network of
Irregular High Forest Research stands
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8. International Seminar Series in Forest Conservation - The AFI Network of Irregular High Forest Research
stands
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9. International Seminar Series in Forest Conservation - The AFI Network of Irregular High Forest
Research stands
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10. International Seminar Series in Forest Conservation - The AFI Network of Irregular High Forest
Research stands
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Research stand n° Thirlmere Forest
Administrative area: Cumbria
Natural region: Lake District
Compartment: 21a
Area: 14.5 ha
Set-up date: 24 April 2014
Manager: Vicky Bowman
Description:
The Research stand lies close to the dam
in the United Utilities, Thirlmere Forest. It
is a demonstration stand for the purposes
of the CCFG 2014 Conference. A single
Sample plot has been established to show
how records are collected by using the
AFI Research stand protocol.
Reasons for selection:
The stand is of plantation origin with a
mix of species and size classes. The stand
is a managed long term retention and has
been regularly thinned over the years;
pockets of sporadic blow have been
cleared during normal thinning
operations and have contributed to an
irregular horizontal spatial distribution. A
good field layer and regeneration is
established in pockets below gaps in the
canopy. The well established larger
classes of regeneration are growing into
pole size material and will contribute to
the growing stock within the next ten
years.

11. International Seminar Series in Forest Conservation - The AFI Network of Irregular High
Forest Research stands
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12. International Seminar Series in Forest Conservation - The AFI Network of Irregular
High Forest Research stands
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Method:
Sample plots are measured using modern
instruments for efficient working. The
optimal team number is 3 individuals. A
normal Research stand with 10 Sample plots
usually takes 2 days to survey.
Equipment:
400 grad compass
Ranging poles
Callipers
Vertex
Laser distance meter
Survey sheets or tablet
Steel pegs

13. International Seminar Series in Forest Conservation - The AFI Network of Irregular
High Forest Research stands
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14. 3 types of AFI inventory + marteloscope
International Seminar Series in Forest Conservation - The AFI Network of Irregular High Forest Research
stands
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AFI Research stand
Local research stand
Forest inventory
Marteloscope
Curraghchase 2007 & 2012 Curraghchase 2007 & 2012
Cranborne Estate 2013 Ballykilcavan 2014

15. Local research stand
International Seminar Series in Forest Conservation - The AFI Network of Irregular High Forest
Research stands
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Kalebsberg 2013
Kalebsberg 2013NEFF, Littleton, MA 2013 NEFF, Littleton, MA 2013

16. AFI Forest inventory
International Seminar Series in Forest Conservation - The AFI Network of Irregular High Forest Research
stands
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17. Marteloscope
International Seminar Series in Forest Conservation - The AFI Network of Irregular High Forest
Research stands
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