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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.

NFI5
growing stock (stemwood)
altitudinal vegetation belts (NaiS; 6 classes) · conifers and broadleaves
regional demarcation: economic region
unit: 1000 m³
evaluation area: accessible forest without shrub forest
grid: 1.4 km grid, subgrids 1-5
state 2018/26
		economic region
		Western Jura		Eastern Jura		Western Plateau		Central Plateau		Eastern Plateau		Western Pre-Alps		Central Pre-Alps		Eastern Pre-Alps		Northwestern Alps		Central Alps		Northeastern Alps		Southwestern Alps		Southeastern Alps		Southern Alps		Switzerland
altitudinal vegetation belts (NaiS; 6 classes)	conifers and broadleaves	1000 m³	±%	1000 m³	±%	1000 m³	±%	1000 m³	±%	1000 m³	±%	1000 m³	±%	1000 m³	±%	1000 m³	±%	1000 m³	±%	1000 m³	±%	1000 m³	±%	1000 m³	±%	1000 m³	±%	1000 m³	±%	1000 m³	±%
n/a	n/a	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.
	conifers	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.
	broadleaves	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.
	indeterminable	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.
	total	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.
upper subalpine	n/a	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.
	conifers	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	2511	20	4323	15	1290	22	8124	10
	broadleaves	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	6	80	4	74	4	59	14	44
	indeterminable	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.
	total	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	2517	20	4327	15	1294	22	8138	10
subalpine	n/a	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.
	conifers	0	.	0	.	77	100	0	.	0	.	1100	39	2951	24	154	71	3745	22	1176	36	1725	36	9872	13	15255	10	5354	15	41410	6
	broadleaves	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	3	71	40	87	3	100	62	59	7	85	20	82	92	41	30	66	126	47	383	24
	indeterminable	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.
	total	0	.	0	.	77	100	0	.	0	.	1103	39	2991	24	157	71	3807	22	1183	36	1745	35	9965	13	15285	10	5480	15	41793	6
high-montane	n/a	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.
	conifers	435	59	0	.	216	62	0	.	0	.	4683	22	3577	22	1912	29	7895	16	2941	27	1407	42	15008	11	20200	9	10670	12	68943	5
	broadleaves	19	88	0	.	26	88	0	.	0	.	128	52	102	41	13	65	222	29	62	57	34	57	1180	21	1296	22	803	31	3886	12
	indeterminable	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	0	0	.	0	.	0	0
	total	454	57	0	.	242	61	0	.	0	.	4811	21	3679	21	1925	29	8116	16	3003	27	1442	41	16188	10	21496	9	11473	11	72829	4
lower and upper montane	n/a	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.
	conifers	29234	5	1378	33	4099	22	6702	17	8184	14	9045	14	22258	8	22230	9	5068	17	4322	23	4801	17	1950	29	4230	20	4300	30	127801	3
	broadleaves	16063	6	3247	19	2045	25	3006	21	5890	14	3219	19	9006	11	9202	11	3884	16	2218	23	3411	17	1284	28	1545	25	7661	11	71683	3
	indeterminable	0	0	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	0	0	.	0	0	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	0	0	.	0	0
	total	45297	4	4625	19	6144	19	9709	15	14075	12	12264	12	31265	7	31432	8	8952	14	6540	19	8213	15	3234	23	5775	17	11961	14	199485	2
submontane	n/a	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.
	conifers	3221	21	3155	19	2910	21	10762	11	10775	10	0	.	1830	29	444	48	404	43	478	49	-2	100	0	.	511	46	0	.	34486	6
	broadleaves	5330	14	5975	13	5663	17	8724	11	12970	9	122	100	1572	33	1619	32	1078	42	878	41	237	72	452	43	319	46	0	.	44939	5
	indeterminable	0	0	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	0	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	0
	total	8551	13	9130	12	8573	14	19486	9	23745	7	122	100	3401	23	2063	31	1482	35	1356	41	235	72	452	43	829	37	0	.	79426	4
hyperinsubric and colline	n/a	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.
	conifers	0	.	0	.	75	91	0	.	47	73	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	668	34	9	100	336	46	1135	25
	broadleaves	165	71	0	.	482	50	0	.	122	64	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	524	31	103	100	11084	8	12480	8
	indeterminable	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.
	total	165	71	0	.	556	49	0	.	169	63	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	1192	26	113	100	11420	8	13615	7
total	n/a	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	.
	conifers	32890	5	4533	16	7376	14	17464	9	19006	8	14827	11	30616	7	24741	8	17111	10	8917	15	7932	15	30010	7	44527	5	21949	8	281899	2
	broadleaves	21577	5	9222	10	8216	13	11731	10	18983	7	3473	18	10720	11	10837	10	5246	15	3165	20	3702	17	3538	14	3297	15	19678	5	133386	2
	indeterminable	0	0	0	.	0	.	0	.	0	0	0	.	0	0	0	.	0	0	0	.	0	.	0	0	0	0	0	.	0	0
	total	54467	4	13755	10	15592	11	29195	7	37989	5	18300	10	41336	6	35578	7	22357	9	12082	13	11634	13	33548	6	47824	5	41627	4	415285	1

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. 1372766. Birmensdorf, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL

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