NFI Results

Estimates and standard error of the estimates

The results published in the NFI tables are estimates for variables in the Swiss forest (population parameters) whose true values are not known and must therefore be extrapolated (estimated) from the NFI sample data.

The extrapolations carry uncertainties. However, the accuracy of the extrapolations can be reliably estimated from the NFI sample, which is designed to be a random sample. To this end, all NFI tables include a second figure in addition to the estimate itself, namely the standard error of the estimate.

In most tables the percent standard error is reported (±%), but the absolute standard error (±) is also reported occasionally, especially for estimated percentages. The relationship between absolute and percent standard error is as follows:

percent standard error = absolute standard error / estimate × 100

absolute standard error = percent standard error × estimate / 100

Information on the forest road network is based on a full survey of all forest roads. In this case, there is no need to specify a standard error because there is no uncertainty caused by sampling.

Confidence interval of the estimate

With the estimate and the standard error of the estimate, the limits of the so-called confidence interval of the estimate can be calculated as:

lower limit = estimate – tQ × absolute standard error

upper limit = estimate + tQ × absolute standard error

If the simple standard error is used for the calculation (tQ = 1), then the 68% confidence interval is formed. In this case, the true value of the population parameter has a 68% probability of lying within this confidence interval of the estimate. If the double standard error is used (tQ = 2), then there is a 95% probability that the true value lies within this 95% confidence interval.

Significance of the estimate

The confidence interval can be used to statistically test whether the estimated population parameter is larger or smaller than a specific reference or target value, or whether two estimated population parameters truly differ (in the real population). For practical applications, proceed as follows: if a reference value lies outside the confidence interval, the estimated population value can be interpreted as being significantly different from it; if it lies within the confidence interval, the difference between the estimated population parameter and the reference value can be interpreted as random or not significant. When two population parameters are compared, they can be interpreted as differing significantly if their confidence intervals do not overlap.

Dealing with missing values

When calculating a results table, data are not always available for all combinations of characteristics^* of the classification variables and regional demarcation applied. In most cases, this indicates that the attribute estimated with the respective target variable does not occur or occurs only very rarely. Usually, the value 0 is used (imputed). However, as this value is not based on direct measurements, the associated standard error is represented with a full stop [.]. If the imputed value of 0 is referred to in the calculation, e.g. in the case of percentages or certain change estimates, no value can be entered. In this case, the estimated value and standard error are both represented with a full stop [.].

For example, no Arolla pines have been found and measured in the Swiss Plateau to date (growing stock of Arolla pines by production region). The values can be assumed to be missing because Arolla pine does not occur in the Swiss Plateau and therefore the growing stock there must be 0.

^* e.g. ‘Arolla pine’ characteristic of the classification variable ‘tree species’ and ‘Swiss plateau’ characteristic of the ‘regional demarcation’

Changes

There are two types of changes in the NFI:

The first type involves specific target variables relating to components of change, such as increment, fellings, mortality and losses. These target variables are only available for two consecutive inventory cycles, e.g. NFI3–NFI4. In the evaluation of components of change, the classification variable characteristic of the second inventory cycle is assigned to the first inventory cycle. These evaluations therefore do not take into account potential changes in a classification variable characteristic from the earlier to the later inventory (e.g. from private to public ownership).

With the second type of change, the difference in target variables, such as number of stems, growing stock or forest area, is used to assess the change between two inventory cycles. Target variables are generally used to represent states, such as that in NFI4, but can also indicate the net change between any two inventory cycles, e.g. NFI1–NFI4. In evaluations of change using these target variables, the change in a classification variable characteristic is considered in the analysis. Consequently, one can detect, for example, that the forest area without shrub forest increased between the two inventory cycles. This only has an effect on classification variables whose characteristic (class) can actually change, e.g. the affiliation with a forest area or the tree condition.

NFI4–NFI5
fellings
forest type (12 classes)
regional demarcation: canton
unit: 1000 m³/yr
evaluation area: accessible forest without shrub forest NFI4/NFI5
grid: 1.4 km grid, subgrids 1-5
change 2009/17–2018/26
	canton
	AG		AI		AR		BE		BL/BS		FR		GE		GL		GR		JU		LU		NE		NW		OW		SG		SH		SO		SZ		TG		TI		UR		VD		VS		ZG		ZH		Switzerland
forest type (12 classes)	1000 m³/yr	±%	1000 m³/yr	±%	1000 m³/yr	±%	1000 m³/yr	±%	1000 m³/yr	±%	1000 m³/yr	±%	1000 m³/yr	±%	1000 m³/yr	±%	1000 m³/yr	±%	1000 m³/yr	±%	1000 m³/yr	±%	1000 m³/yr	±%	1000 m³/yr	±%	1000 m³/yr	±%	1000 m³/yr	±%	1000 m³/yr	±%	1000 m³/yr	±%	1000 m³/yr	±%	1000 m³/yr	±%	1000 m³/yr	±%	1000 m³/yr	±%	1000 m³/yr	±%	1000 m³/yr	±%	1000 m³/yr	±%	1000 m³/yr	±%	1000 m³/yr	±%
n/a	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.
inaccessible forest	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.
shrub forest	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.
permanently unstocked forest area	0	0	0	100	0	.	157	63	0	100	6	71	0	.	1	100	17	61	0	0	6	71	0	0	0	.	0	.	-1	100	0	0	0	0	0	100	12	81	0	100	0	.	41	72	-3	195	0	.	3	100	238	43
forest aisle, embankment	3	100	0	.	0	.	0	100	0	0	0	.	0	.	0	.	2	89	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	0	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	0	8	100	0	.	0	.	0	0	13	66
permanently open stand	0	.	0	.	21	100	4	100	0	0	0	0	1	100	0	0	18	88	0	0	0	0	2	100	1	100	0	0	4	100	0	.	22	100	0	0	0	.	34	100	0	.	29	42	17	82	0	.	0	0	149	34
(nut) orchard, plantation	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	0	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	0	0	.	0	0	0	0	0	.	0	.	0	0
coppice forest	0	.	0	.	0	.	19	100	28	100	0	0	0	.	2	100	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.	0	0	0	.	0	0	2	100	0	.	0	.	0	0	1	100	0	.	2	100	0	0	0	.	0	.	53	65
coppice with standards	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	0	0	.	0	.	0	0	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	0	1	100	0	.	0	.	2	100	0	.	0	0	0	0	0	.	8	100	10	72
selection type high forest	1	100	0	.	0	.	109	37	0	.	0	0	0	.	1	100	25	58	13	100	135	51	26	44	0	0	6	74	-2	100	0	.	0	0	0	0	13	71	3	100	0	0	30	44	8	70	0	0	0	0	375	23
non-uniform high forest	22	62	8	100	0	0	129	31	11	63	13	71	0	.	31	71	20	42	12	66	52	43	50	35	0	0	18	70	1	358	0	0	8	71	8	100	6	73	12	54	0	0	38	42	9	51	0	.	29	46	479	13
incomplete survey	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.
uniform high forest	473	17	34	59	122	40	1175	12	124	34	294	27	26	71	94	47	432	18	190	27	296	25	142	24	5	77	10	54	345	24	103	30	200	25	167	30	255	23	53	40	66	58	507	18	61	39	50	45	515	17	5734	5
total	500	16	42	51	141	37	1591	11	162	32	313	25	27	69	130	38	515	16	217	25	490	21	219	18	6	68	34	42	348	24	106	30	231	24	177	29	286	21	106	39	67	58	654	15	92	31	50	45	552	16	7058	4

Table citation

Abegg, M.; Ahles, P.; Allgaier Leuch, B.; Cioldi, F.; Didion, M.; Düggelin, C.; Fischer, C.; Herold, A.; Meile, R.; Rohner, B.; Rösler, E.; Speich, S.; Temperli, C.; Traub, B.,
2023: Swiss national forest inventory - Result table No. 1205104. Birmensdorf, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL

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