On the availability of information and methods for modeling of forest biomass at regional level in Lithuania

Abstract

Forest resource information system of Lithuania, which includes both geo-referenced and statistical data and its usability for modeling forest biomass resources within the frames of INTERREG IIIB project "Baltic Biomass Network" is discussed in this paper. The main focus is given on the use of GIS in the Lithuanian forest inventory, management and planning system, biological evaluation of the forests, their diversity, etc. Available and being constructed forestry GIS databases of different content and accuracy, thematic mapping technologies as well as some GIS related projects in the country are discussed. The second part of this paper deals with the methods, proposed to use for the estimation biomass potential for energetic needs available in Lithuanian forest. Two approaches are used to get the figures from data of conventional forest inventories - (i) total above- and below-ground biomass and biomass of dead wood, according to the FAO Global forest resource assessment and (ii) potentially available for fuel forest biomass as small diameter trees from thinning cuttings, felling residuals and stumps from final felling, derived using conventional cutting budget calculation methods. The total forest biomass in Lithuania amounts 150 Mil. tones, as the biomass from small diameter trees - 89 th. tones, the biomass from felling residuals - 760 th. tones and the stumps, potentially available from final felling - 610 th. tones. These estimates as well as the calculation methods are proposed to be used in the Baltic Biomass Network project.