Laboratory Exercise No.

2
FOREST STAND
COMPOSITION AND
STRUCTURE

Prepared by: Group 4

Pagay, Christopher A.
Cobo, Memalyn F.
Lista, Mia-Jessica B.
Lorenzo, Sheryl B.
Pasion, Jelica B.
Ravelo, Melissa G.
 Contents
Introduction
Methodology
Review • Locale of the
of Related Study
Literature • Research Design
Objectives Result and
• Research
Discussion
Instruments
• Data Gathering,
Documentation
and Collection of
Samples Conclusion
 Objectives
This laboratory aims to provide a baseline information on
forest structure and composition on the forest stand.
Specifically, the laboratory exercise intends to:

identify the species composition and species count of trees

in the forest stand;
measure the height and diameter of trees including the
crown characteristics of the trees in the forest stand; and
develop an action plan for the enhancement of the forest
stand.
 INTRODUCTION
Forest stand composition and structure refer to the
types of trees, their densities, heights, and
arrangement within a forest.
The composition and structure of a forest are
important factors that influence the ecological
functions of the forest and its ability to provide
ecosystem services.
Forest management practices can also have an
impact on the composition and structure of a forest.
Review of Related Literature

Origin
Forest Stand
Significance of forest stand
Forest Composition
Stand Structure
 Methodology
Locale of the Study:
The laboratory exercise was
conducted last February 23, 2023
at the MMSU Forest Reserve at
Barangay Payao, City of Batac,
Ilocos Norte. The forest reserve
has an approximate area of 1,054
hectares at a latitude of 18˚3’32”
N, and a longitude of 120˚33’2”
E.

Figure 1. Map showing the location of the study area.

 Methodology
10mx10m

Research Design 5mx5m

The study was conducted through a

field survey by establishing sampling PLOT 2

plot using Randomized Complete Block

15m
15m
Design (RCBD). Plots measuring three
10mx10m 10mx10m
10m x 10m was established with a
distance from one another of 15 meters. 5mx5m 5mx5m

Moreover, a 5m x 5m subplot was laid

out in every 10m x 1om plots. PLOT 1 PLOT 3
 Methodology
Research Instrument
• Tree Caliper
• Abney Hand Level
• Measuring Tape
• Bolo
• Stakes
• Straw
• GPS Camera
• Record/Data Sheet
 Methodology
Data Gathering, Documentation and
Collection of Samples
Identification of Tree Species
Diameter Measurement
Total Height Measurement
Reading to the Top
Reading to the Base
Reading to the Crown Point
Horizontal Distance (m)
 Crown Width (Diameter) Measurement
 Methodology
Calculation of Parameters
Total Height (m)

Bole Height (m)

Average Crown

Crown Length (m)

Crown Area (m²)

 Methodology

CL

• Total Height
• Bole Height Ht

• Crown Length
Hb

HD
 Methodology
• Canopy Cover-Ground
Measurement

Crown Diameter

Illustration: Korhonen, L., Korhonen, K.T., Rautiainen, M. & Stenberg, P. 2006.. Silva Fennica 40(4): 577–588.
 Methodology

• Diameter at Breast
Height (dbh)
 Methodology
Data Gathering
 Results and Discussion
Table 1. List of Tree species recorder in the 10m x 10m established plot
Tree Scientific Conservation Status
No. Family Name Name Common Name (Refer to IUCN)

1.  MELIACEAE Swietenia macrophylla Big leaf mahogany Vulnerable

2.  LAMIACEAE Gmelina arborea Yemane Least Concern

3.  BURSERACEAE Canarium asperum Pagsahingin Least Concern

4. FABACEAE Pterocarpus indicus Narra Endangered

5.  FABACEAE Bauhinia malabarica Alibangbang Least Concern

6. FABACEAE Leucaena leucocephala Ipil-ipil Lower Risk

7.  ARECAEAE Caryota mitis Fishtail palm Least Concern

8.  FABACEAE Tamarindus indica Sampalok Least Concern

9.  ANACARDIACEAE Koordersiodendron pinnatum Amugis Endangered

 Results and Discussion
Graph 1. List of Tree species recorder in the 10m x 10m established plot

Endagered
No.of Species 1. Narra
6 2. Amugis
5 Low Risk
5
1. Ipil-Ipil
4
Vulnerable
1. Big Leaf
3 Mahogany
2 Least Concern
2
3. Yemane
1
1 1 4. Pagsahingin
5. Alibangbang
0
Endangered Least Concern Low Risk Vulnerable
6. Fishtail Palm
7. Sampalok
 Results and Discussion
Table 2. Total Distribution of Tree Species in the 10m x 10m Established Subplots
Tree No.   Plots  
Scientific Name Common Name
Plot 1 Plot 2 Plot 3

1. Swietenia macrophylla Big leaf mahogany 13 17 8

2. Gmelina arborea Yemane 14 7 6

3. Canarium asperum Pagsahingin 3 7 0

4. Leucaena leucocephala Ipil-ipil 1 2 2

 5. Tamarindus indica Sampalok 0 3 0

6. Pterocarpus indicus Narra 9 0 0

7. Bauhinia malabarica Alibangbang 2 1 1

8. Caryota mitis Fishtail palm 0 0 4

9. Koordersiodendron pinnatum Amugis 0 0 1

 Results and Discussion
Graph 2. Total Distribution of Tree Species in the 10m x 10m Established plots

SPECIES DISTRIBUTION
16
17
12 13 14

8
8 9
7 6 7
4
4
3 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 1 2 2 2 1 1 1
l
an
y ne in i pi ok rra ng al
m is
a n g
il -
pa
l a a ug
og em hi Ip N
ng
b i l p m
ah Y g sa S am a h ta A
fm ib is
a Pa A l F
le
g
Bi

PLOT 1 PLOT 2 PLOT 3

 Results and Discussion
Table 3. Average Diameter at Breast Height (dbh), Height, Canopy Area in three 5m x 5m
Experimental Plots
    Average
Tree No.
Scientific Name Common Name Diameter (cm) Height (m) Canopy Area (m2)

SMALL
1.  Canarium asperum Pagsahingin 14.9 9.3 28.3
2.  Gmelina arborea Yemane 29.3 19.5 11.3
3.  Leucaena leucocephala Ipil-ipil 11.4 9.34 7.1
4.  Tamarindus indica Sampalok 14.4 8.4 16.8
5  Swietenia macrophylla Big leaf mahogany 11.6 6 3.8
6.  Gmelina arborea Yemane 26.8 9.4 22.9
7.  Leucaena leucocephala Ipil-ipil 12.6 8.6 15.2
8.  Gmelina arborea Yemane 24.4 16.05 11.3
9. Gmelina arborea Yemane 19.7 8.25 20
10.  Gmelina arborea Yemane 21.4 19.35 9
11.  Leucaena leucocephala Ipil-ipil 22.8 8.25 4.6
12.  Gmelina arborea Yemane 15.4 7.2 3
    Total: 224.7 129.64 153.43
    Average: 18.7 10.8 12.8
MEDIUM
1.  Gmelina arborea Yemane 51 18.6 32.17
2.  Tamarindus indica Sampalok 55.6 17.4 20.43
3.  Swietenia macrophylla Big leaf mahogany 41.9 19.6 29.22
4.  Gmelina arborea Yemane 51 19.3 36.9
5.  Gmelina arborea Yemane 46.2 18.7 59.45
6.  Leucaena leucocephala Ipil-ipil 45.6 18.2 24.72
    Total: 292.3 111.8 202.9
    Average: 48.7 18.6 33.8
 Results and Discussion
Graph 3. Average Diameter at Breast Height (dbh), Height, Canopy Area in three 5m x 5m Experimental
Plots

60

50 48.7

40
33.8
SMALL MEDIUM
30

20 18.7 18.6
12.8
10.8
10

0
 Results and Discussion
Table 4. Total height (m), DBH (cm), crown height (m), crown diameter (m) and crown
area of tree species in the 5m x 5m established plots.
Tree Scientific Common Total DBH Crown Crown Crown Area (m2)
No. Name Name Height (cm) Height Diameter
(m) (m) (m)

Plot 1            
1. Canarium asperum Pagsahingin 9.3 14.9 2.25 6 28.3
2. Gmelina arborea Yemane 19.5 29.3 3.6 3.8 11.34
3. Gmelina arborea Yemane 18.6 52 2.2 6.4 32.17
4. Gmelina arborea Yemane 17.4 55.6 3.3 5.1 20.43
5. Leucaena leucocephala Ipil-ipil 9.3 11.4 1.1 3 7.07
6. Gmelina arborea Yemane 19.6 41.9 4 6.1 29.22
Plot 2            

1. Gmelina arborea Yemane 19.3 51 1.45 6.9 36.9

2. Tamarindus indica Sampalok 8.4 14.4 1.4 4.63 16.84
3. Swietenia macrophylla Big leaf mahogany 6 11.6 1.05 2.19 3.8
4. Gmelina arborea Yemane 9.4 26.8 1.1 5.4 22.9
5. Gmelina arborea Yemane 18.7 46.2 2.2 8.7 59.45
6. Leucaena leucocephala Ipil-ipil 8.6 12.6 1.55 4.4 15.21
Plot 3            
1. Gmelina arborea Yemane 16.05 24.4 3.75 3.8 11.34
2. Gmelina arborea Yemane 8.25 19.7 1.05 5.05 20.03
3. Gmelina arborea Yemane 18.15 45.6 1.75 5.61 24.72
4. Gmelina arborea Yemane 19.35 21.4 4.35 3.38 9
5. Leucaena leucocephala Ipil-ipil 8.25 22.8 1.2 2.42 4.6
6. Gmelina arborea 7.2 15.4 1.4 1.91 3
 Results and Discussion
Graph 4a. Total height (m), DBH (cm), crown height (m), crown diameter (m) and crown
area of tree species in Plot 1.
Plot 1
60
55.6
52
50
41.9
40
32.17
29.3 29.22
30 28.3

19.5 20.43 19.6

20 18.6
17.4
14.9
11.34 11.4
9.3 9.3
10 6.4 7.07 6.1
6 5.1
3.6 3.8 3.3 3 4
2.25 2.2
1.1
0
Pagsahingin Yemane Yemane Yemane Ipil-ipil Yemane

Total Height DBH Crown Height Crown Diameter Crown Area

 Results and Discussion
Graph 4b. Total height (m), DBH (cm), crown height (m), crown diameter (m) and crown
area of tree species in Plot 2.

Plot 2
70
59.45
60

50 46.2

40

30 26.8
22.9
18.7
20 16.84
15.21
14.4
11.6 12.6
8.4 9.4 8.7 8.6
10 6 5.4
4.63 3.8 4.4
1.4 1.052.19 1.1 2.2 1.55
0
Yemane Sampalok Big leaf Yemane Yemane Ipil-ipil
mahogany

Total Height DBH Crown Height Crown Diameter Crown Area

 Results and Discussion
Graph 4c. Total height (m), DBH (cm), crown height (m), crown diameter (m) and crown
area of tree species in Plot 3.

Plot 3
50
45.6
45
40
35
30
24.72
25 21.4
22.8
19.7 20.03 19.35
20 18.15
15.4
15
9
10 8.25 8.25 7.2
5.05 5.61 4.6
4.353.38
5 1.75 1.2
2.42 1.4 1.91
3
1.05
0
Yemane Yemane Yemane Yemane Ipil-ipil Yemane

Total Height DBH Crown Height Crown Diameter Crown Area

 Results and Discussion
Table 4. Number of Individuals per diameter class
Diameter Class Diameter No. of Individuals
Range
Small Trees 10 cm to 30 12
cm
Medium size Trees 30 to 60 cm 6

Large Trees > 60 cm 0

    Total : 18
 Results and Discussion
Graph 4. Number of Individuals per diameter class

NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS PER

DIAMETER CLASS

6
SMALL
TREES
12

MEDIUM TREES
 Recommendation
Silvicultural treatments and practices should be
employed regularly.
It is necessary to eliminate some invasive species
to prevent the forest stand from becoming a pure
stand in the future.
It is recommended to harvest mature and fallen
trees to allow regeneration.
 Action Plan
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6

Site Identify Goals Develop a Appropriate Implementation Monitor and

Assessment Management Silvicultural Evaluation
Plan System

• Site condition • Timber • Timelines • Intermediate • Thinning • Every 2 years

of the forest Production Cuttings • Pruning after
stand • Salvage implementation
• Sanitation
• Improvement
Cutting
• Release
Cutting

• Age of trees • Improve • Budget • Shelterwood • Tree Planting • Adjustments

wildlife habitat Method

• Density • Recreational • Resources • Selection • Improvement

Activities Needed Method

• Topography • Educational • Seed tree • Consistency

Purposes method
 CONCLUSION
In conclusion, based from the data gathered, the MMSU Forest Reserve
was identified as uneven-aged stand and a mixed forest. The study area
was dominated by the tree species, Yemane (27 within 10m x 10m plots
and 11 within 5m x 5m subplots), although they are in different diameter
class.
The structure of a forest stand is determined by the size and age
distribution of the trees present, as well as their spatial arrangement.
Furthermore, maintaining a diverse composition and structure of forest
stands is essential for promoting ecosystem health and resilience in the
face of environmental change and disturbance.