A software tool for standardised non-destructive biomass estimation in short rotation forestry

Following an evaluation of the various methods available for non-destructive biomass estimation in short rotation forestry, a standardised procedure was defined and incorporated into a computer programme (BioEst). Special efforts were made to ensure that the system can be used by people who are unfamiliar with computers and mathematics. BioEst provides an interface between a calliper and a spreadsheet programme which was written in Microsoft Excel macro language. Therefore, it is simple to modify the programme and create personal protocols. BioEst can be run on a portable PC with Microsoft Excel for Windows. The computer continuously recalculates an estimate of the amount of biomass per hectare, as well as some summary statistics, when fed data on shoot diameter obtained by making row-section-wise measurements with a standard digital calliper. BioEst is available without cost from the author.