It is becoming increasingly important to standardize the methods used to assess growth of multi-purpose tree species in Malawi. Most of the standard methods used in Malawi have been developed by networks currently promoting internationally coordinated research efforts on multi-purpose tree species. These networks include, Oxford Forestry Institute (OFI), Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), Forestry/Fuelwood Research and Development Project (F/FRED) and the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF). This paper reviews the methods used by these networks for measuring height and diameter, and for estimating leaf biomass; giving researchers a range of methodological options to choose from. It also emphasizes the need, which is too often neglected, to clearly and unambiguously define assessment methods to allow the experiment to be repeated or the results to be compared with those from other sites.
Publication year
1998
Authors
Language
English
Keywords
forest mensuration, malawi, measurement, multipurpose trees, research networks
Geographic
Malawi
