Certified Forester Practice Exam

What is the relationship between volume per acre and basal area per acre?

1. They are generally unrelated

2. There is a low correlation

3. They have a high correlation

4. Basal area is always larger than volume

The correct answer is: They have a high correlation

The relationship between volume per acre and basal area per acre is characterized by a high correlation, making them closely connected metrics in forest inventory and management. Basal area, which measures the cross-sectional area of tree stems at breast height (usually 4.5 feet above ground level), serves as an indicator of tree density in a given area. On the other hand, volume per acre quantifies the total wood volume harvested or standing within the same area, typically expressed in cubic feet. A high correlation exists between these two factors because as the basal area increases, indicating a greater density or size of trees in a particular stand, the overall volume of timber also tends to increase. This relationship is foundational in forestry, as understanding the basal area can help foresters estimate the potential timber volume available for harvesting, making strategic decisions about forestry practices and management. The other options do not adequately describe this relationship, as it is not correct to say there is no connection or that the correlation is low. Additionally, while it might be tempting to assert that basal area is always larger than volume, this is misleading because they measure different aspects; basal area is an area measurement in square feet, while volume is in cubic feet, thus not allowing for direct comparisons of size.