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Map of the small-scale forest estate of New Zealand
Authors: Bruce Manley, Justin Morgenroth, Cong XuPublication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 2021, Issue N.Z.J.For. 66(1) 2021, pp 33-37, May 2021
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry
Abstract: From 2015 to 2021, final-year Bachelor of Forestry Science (BForSc) students at the University of Canterbury have developed, region by region, a map of the small-scale forest estate in New Zealand. Forest boundaries were mapped in a geographic information system (GIS), based on visual interpretation of aerial photography and satellite imagery. It was found that the mapped area is less than the National Exotic Forest Description (NEFD) estimate of area in eight wood supply regions and exceeds the NEFD area in the other four regions. The total nationwide mapped area is over 90,000 ha less than the NEFD area. The level of NEFD over-estimation is substantial for Central North Island, Canterbury, East Coast, Hawke’s Bay and Southland.