Protocol for inventory of mapped plots in tropical forest

Inventorying field mapped plots can be difficult in tropical forest because visibility and access are limited due to high density of woody plants. Additionally, steep slopes and frequent presence of fog further complicate field measurements in mountain areas. The objective of this study was to propose a detailed field census protocol. The method described allowed inventory of mapped 1-ha plots in a montane cloud forest with little cost and time. The inventory also included the recording of some environmental conditions, namely, light, soil coverage temperature and humidity. A detailed explanation dealing with species identification in the forest is also included. The method can be extended to different tropical as well as temperate forest ecosystems. Finally, a summary and comparison with different inventories focusing on mapped trees are given, along with a number of recommendations. © Forest Research Institute Malaysia.