Units Of Measure And Conversion Factors For Forest Products

Forest products conversion factors provides ratios of raw material input to the output of wood-based forest products for 37 countries of the world. Analysts, policymakers, forest practitioners and forest-based manufacturers often have a need for this information for understanding the drivers of efficiency, feasibility and economics of the sector. In addition, conversion factors are often needed to convert from one unit of measure to another. The publication also includes explanations on the units of measure, the drivers of the ratios, as well as information on physical properties of wood-based forest products. Finally, where reported factors were unavailable, factors from other sources are given.

Focuses on forest products in the Pacific Northwest, but several national and foreign systems are included. A glossary is provided. Procedures and illustrative examples are emphasized to encourage the reader to gather and use local information rather than rely on tables of averages.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program surveys primary roundwood receiving facilities in the United States to determine industrial uses of roundwood. The questionnaires provide general mill information such as location, type, and size, as well as procurement information such as the volume of roundwood received by product type, species, and geographic origin. The questionnaires are also used to estimate the volume, type, and use of mill residues. For ease of reporting, few restrictions are placed on the units of measure, meaning mills can report volume estimates in whatever units they choose. Conversion factors or procedures are then used to transform the survey data into regional and national standardized units. These conversion factors can vary by region, State, product type, species, survey year, or other variables. This report provides a compilation and discussion of the regional conversion factors used by FIA to transform mill survey roundwood and residue volume estimates into standard units of measurement.