| In order to facilitate resource data collection and processing, an integrated computer-based timber cruising system was modeled and developed based on Microsoft Component Object Model (COM) and Objected-Oriented Programming (OOP) techniques. The system consists of three components - handheld data collection system, data transfer, and data analysis, all of which are stand-alone objects. The handheld system, which is Windows CE based, was used to collect overstory and understory tree data in the field. Data transfer and analysis components reside on a desktop PC and were used to synchronize cruising data from handheld PCs, analyze data and generate reports. A relational data model was implemented via MS Access to store cruising data in the system. All components have been successfully tested and used in the large-scale inventory of West Virginia's state and West Virginia University research forests, and could be adapted for use in related forest inventory projects. |
