Ukrainian delegation explores germany’s experience in National Forest Inventory

On 7–9 July, a delegation from the State Forest Resources Agency of Ukraine and the Ukrainian State Forest Inventory Enterprise (VO «Ukrderzhlisproekt») took part in a specialised study visit to Germany focused on the implementation of the National Forest Inventory (NFI).

The programme was held in Eberswalde at the Forestry Competence Centre (LFE) with the support of the Sustainable Forestry Implementation (SFI) project. The Ukrainian delegation was headed by Ihor Budzinskyi, Head of the Forest Management and Reforestation Department of the State Forest Resources Agency of Ukraine. The delegation also included Viktor Melnychenko, Director General of VO «Ukrderzhlisproekt», heads of the Ukrainian and Integrated Forest Inventory Expeditions, and representatives of the National Forest Inventory Centre of Ukraine.

The programme focused on the following topics:

the legal framework and distribution of responsibilities for Germany's Federal Forest Inventory (BWI) between the federal government and the federal states;

methodologies for sample plot selection, assessment of growing stock, increment, deadwood, and biodiversity monitoring;

financing and organisation of fieldwork;

software solutions for field data collection and processing, including new digital tools for field teams;

reporting and publication of BWI results, as well as the use of inventory data for policymaking and scientific research;

the complementary roles of forest inventory and forest management planning.

The Ukrainian delegation presented the report "Current Status and Development Plans of the National Forest Inventory in Ukraine." The second day of the programme took place in the forests of Brandenburg, where participants observed field data collection procedures and quality assurance practices.

The experience shared by the German colleagues was of particular value. With more than 40 years of experience in conducting the National Forest Inventory, they provided important insights into the key success factors of the system and helped identify priorities for the further development of the National Forest Inventory in Ukraine.