Practice 20+ Forest Mensuration MCQs with answers & explanations. Learn tree measurement, volume, increment, and tools. Ideal for forestry exams
🌲 Batch 5: Forest Mensuration
Section 1: Forest Mensuration (MCQs 1–20)
1. Forest mensuration deals with:
(A) Measuring forest area only
(B) Measurement of trees, forests, and their products
(C) Calculating forest revenue
(D) Mapping forest boundaries only
Correct Answer: (B) Measurement of trees, forests, and their products
Explanation: Forest mensuration is the science of measuring tree dimensions, volume, growth, and yield.
2. The breast height for measuring tree diameter is conventionally taken at:
(A) 1.0 m above ground
(B) 1.3 m above ground
(C) 1.5 m above ground
(D) 2.0 m above ground
Correct Answer: (B) 1.3 m above ground
Explanation: Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) is standardized at 1.3 m above ground.
3. A dendrometer is used to measure:
(A) Soil depth
(B) Tree diameter and height
(C) Leaf area
(D) Soil moisture
Correct Answer: (B) Tree diameter and height
Explanation: Dendrometers measure standing tree height and diameter without felling.
4. Tree volume is generally calculated using:
(A) Arithmetic formula
(B) Volume tables
(C) Altimeter
(D) GPS
Correct Answer: (B) Volume tables
Explanation: Volume tables provide ready references based on tree diameter and height.
5. Increment in forestry means:
(A) Decrease in forest area
(B) Increase in volume or growth of trees over time
(C) Logging rate of a forest
(D) Changes in soil fertility
Correct Answer: (B) Increase in volume or growth of trees over time
Explanation: Increment shows the annual growth in diameter, height, or volume.
6. The instrument commonly used to measure tree height in the field is:
(A) Hypsometer
(B) Clinometer
(C) Dendrometer
(D) All of these
Correct Answer: (D) All of these
Explanation: All three are used for tree height measurement, depending on precision required.
7. The increment percentage is highest in:
(A) Young trees
(B) Mature trees
(C) Over-mature trees
(D) Dead trees
Correct Answer: (A) Young trees
Explanation: Young trees grow faster in height and diameter, giving the highest increment.
8. The unit used for measuring the basal area of trees is:
(A) Square meter (m²)
(B) Cubic meter (m³)
(C) Hectare (ha)
(D) Centimeter (cm)
Correct Answer: (A) Square meter (m²)
Explanation: Basal area is the cross-sectional area of a tree trunk at breast height.
9. The term “mean annual increment” (MAI) refers to:
(A) Average height increase per year
(B) Average annual volume growth over the life of a tree
(C) Average age of a forest stand
(D) Annual loss of trees due to felling
Correct Answer: (B) Average annual volume growth over the life of a tree
Explanation: MAI = Total volume of tree ÷ Age of tree.
10. The point of intersection of Current Annual Increment (CAI) and Mean Annual Increment (MAI) is called:
(A) Age of maturity
(B) Age of rotation
(C) Optimum harvesting age
(D) None of these
Correct Answer: (C) Optimum harvesting age
Explanation: Harvesting is most economical when CAI = MAI.
11. The Smalian’s formula is used to calculate:
(A) Tree height
(B) Log volume
(C) Tree age
(D) Growth rate
Correct Answer: (B) Log volume
Explanation: Smalian’s formula is widely used for calculating volume of felled logs.
12. The Pressler’s increment borer is used for:
(A) Measuring soil depth
(B) Determining tree age and increment
(C) Harvesting seeds
(D) Cutting branches
Correct Answer: (B) Determining tree age and increment
Explanation: The increment borer extracts a core to count annual rings and study growth.
13. The percentage of bark in timber volume is usually:
(A) 1–2%
(B) 5–20%
(C) 25–40%
(D) 50%
Correct Answer: (B) 5–20%
Explanation: Bark share varies by species; it’s excluded in timber volume calculation.
14. A tree’s age can be determined by:
(A) Counting nodes on the stem
(B) Counting annual rings
(C) Measuring diameter only
(D) Measuring crown spread
Correct Answer: (B) Counting annual rings
Explanation: Annual rings indicate yearly growth increments of trees.
15. The unit of standing forest volume is:
(A) Cubic meter per hectare
(B) Square meter per hectare
(C) Kilogram per hectare
(D) Ton per hectare
Correct Answer: (A) Cubic meter per hectare
Explanation: Forest volume is expressed as cubic meters per hectare of forest area.
16. The ratio of height to diameter of a tree is called:
(A) Form factor
(B) Slenderness ratio
(C) Growth ratio
(D) Productivity ratio
Correct Answer: (B) Slenderness ratio
Explanation: The slenderness ratio shows stability and resistance to wind-throw.
17. The most accurate method for tree volume estimation is:
(A) Graphical method
(B) Volume table method
(C) Weight method
(D) Smalian’s formula with sectional measurement
Correct Answer: (D) Smalian’s formula with sectional measurement
Explanation: This method considers log shape and dimensions for precise calculation.
18. The relative proportion of merchantable wood in a tree is called:
(A) Tree form
(B) Timber ratio
(C) Form quotient
(D) Form factor
Correct Answer: (D) Form factor
Explanation: Form factor compares actual tree volume with a geometric cylinder.
19. Which of the following is NOT an instrument for tree measurement?
(A) Haga Altimeter
(B) Abney level
(C) Pressler’s borer
(D) Atterberg limits
Correct Answer: (D) Atterberg limits
Explanation: Atterberg limits are soil consistency tests, not forestry instruments.
20. The science of measuring and analyzing tree rings to study past climates is called:
(A) Silvics
(B) Dendrochronology
(C) Phenology
(D) Mycology
Correct Answer: (B) Dendrochronology
Explanation: Dendrochronology uses tree rings to determine age and study climatic history.