SiBiFor: Forest Biometric System for forest management in Mexico

Abstract Introduction: Forest biometric systems are the most widely used analytical tools for analysis of forest growth and yield. Objective: To present a new biometric system for temperate and tropical Mexican forests. Materials and methods: The study area included the states of Chihuahua, Guerrero, Jalisco, Oaxaca, Michoacán, Puebla, State of Mexico, Hidalgo, Tlaxcala, Veracruz and Quintana Roo. Field data collection was done by using destructive and non-destructive sampling in each Regional Forest Management Unit (RFMU) in the states. The methodology generated equation systems for the estimation of individual-tree attributes that are additive between components, scalable at total-tree level and consistent throughout the country’s different forest conditions. Results and discussion: The Forest Biometric System (SiBiFor for its initials in Spanish) consists of more than 6 000 new equations for 97 tree species in temperate and tropical forests. SiBiFor contains 2 917 volume, 2 868 volume-taper, 341 site index and 288 diameter growth equations. Conclusion: The developed equations will improve the management of the country's forest ecosystems, which will contribute to their sustainability.