Using Database Software for Natural Resource Extension Education

Natural resource management is becoming increasingly complex. Although managers often use computers to help them make management decisions, finding appropriate, affordable, and understandable software is a major challenge.

Database software can be developed by Extension faculty and volunteers at the local level to meet many of these needs. Database software is more powerful than spreadsheet software and easier to create than programs in standard languages such as Basic, C and FORTRAN. With the proper licensing and version, database programs can also be written and compiled as stand-alone executable files that don't require users to own other software packages.

The Lane County Office of the Oregon State University Extension Service is helping provide useful forestry database software. Three new computer programs have been developed by the author and a Master Woodland Manager volunteer. Two of the programs were designed to perform the calculations necessary to estimate volume and growth of timber stands. The third is designed to perform economic analysis of forestry investments.

The first program, called TIMBER, is used when taking fixed area plots. TIMBER uses diameter and height measurements from trees in sample plots located throughout a forest stand to calculate trees per acre, basal area, cubic foot volume, board foot volume, and volume growth. TIMBER uses the tariff system of tree measurement as explained in OSU Extension Circular 1190: Stand Volume and Growth: Getting the Numbers (Fletcher, Emmingham & Woodard, 1993). TIMBER automates the calculations explained in this publication and provides the user with information to make informed decisions about thinning and timber harvest. TIMBER can also be used to generate harvest estimates under a variety of partial cutting scenarios.

The second program, called ALLTREE, is used when taking a 100% sample of trees. ALLTREE uses diameter and height measurements of every tree measured to calculate tariff number, basal area, cubic foot volume, and board foot volume. These estimates are then summed to provide a total volume estimate. ALLTREE can also be used to track timber marked for harvest and enable cumulative estimates of the amount of timber marked for cut in a stand or tract.

The third program called, TREEFARM, was designed to help tree farm owners (or prospective owners) predict the profit potential of their tree farm and to evaluate the result of possible expenditures for stand improvements such as weeding, thinning, pruning and fertilizing. TREEFARM allows woodland owners to calculate return on forestry investments when they supply the expected costs and revenues.

The TIMBER, ALLTREE, and TREEFARM programs are written in Microsoft FoxPro DOS version 2.6, and compiled into stand-alone EXE executable programs, will run on any IBM or IBM-compatible computers using a DOS operating system or a Widows (3.1 or 95) platform, require a hard-drive and a printer, and are available for a nominal price from the Lane County Office of the Oregon State University Extension Service.

To date over 150 copies of each program have been distributed to small woodland owners and professional foresters in Oregon. In addition to distributing the software, the Lane County Extension office has offered classes on how to use the software. These classes, held in computer labs, combine explanation, demonstration and hands-on use of the programs.

The programs have been well received by the clientele. Although, no formal evaluations have been conducted, anecdotal evidence has shown that using the software has led to improved decision making capacity for small woodland owners. Particular use of the software has been made in making decisions of whether to thin or harvest timber and in prioritizing forestry investments.

Fletcher, R.A., Emmingham, W.H., & Woodard, S. (1993) Stand volume and growth: getting the numbers. EC 1190. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University Extension Service.