SilvoINTA

SilvoINTA is a forestry assistant, for uneven-aged forests management

SilvoINTA is a Forestry assistant. Tree data are stored in a database and some calculations can be made from it, like basal area or diameter distribution. The real-time viewing of this results is useful to cutting control and/or tree marking.

The functions of the application are: setting variables, data logging, display and export data results.

Data are recorded at "transect" level, which are located within the so-called "plots" which in turn are within the so-called "projects". The application generates a project file, which can be downloaded to the device or uploaded to Google Drive. The names of these categories are fixed, but realizing that the data are nested in project / plot / transect, this categories could have another meaning, such as owner / stratum / plot or field / stand / plot.

The setup menu allows user to customize the name and number of plots, transects and their surface. The number and name of species to be surveyed, the diametric classes (sizes), qualitative characteristics of individuals and so-called "destinations" can be customized, too. The destinations are the variables in wich basal area will be classified. The basic destinations are "left" and "cut", but number and names of destinations can be customized.

After setting the variables of the project, selecting "add individual" opens the loading form. Before entering a tree, the transect (and the plot) surveyed are requested.

After indicating that, the loading form is showed, where following data can be recorded for each individual: species, size, destination, features and GPS position. In the same form, if needed, registered individuals can be eliminated. In this operation each individual data are registered, and the forester decision (to cut or to leave) too. Applying his knowledge and experience in the field, the silviculturist can assess many variables and choose to cut or not each assessed tree. At any time, the user can leave the registration form and check the results.

The results can be viewed in four types of graphics: diameter distribution (number of individuals per hectare, size class and species); proportion of individuals according to characteristics, proportion of individuals by destination, and proportion of basal area by destinations. For all the graphics the user can choose the level of aggregation of the data to show: at project, plot or transect level. The graphs generated are useful to control the cumulative effects of silvicultural decisions, and thus guide future decisions within the project under evaluation.

At any time the data can be exported to a file within the device (.csv) or upload it to Google Drive.

The application does not need connectivity for loading data or to perform calculations. The app can also be used to record inventory information, but if calculations are not requiered, we recommend other database applications, like Memento.

This app was developed by researchers from INTA - National Institute of Agricultural Technology, Argentina, to assist tree marking in uneven-aged stands. The app has been successfully used in Semiarid Chaco forests in Santiago del Estero, Argentina.

Android programming was made by www.devsar.com

Comments and suggestions to improve the application are appretiated.