Understanding within Tree Variation of KPY to Establish Protocols for In-field Sampling for NIR Prediction

The routine use of near infrared spectroscopy as a tool for the determination of Kraft pulp yield in standing trees still requires some issues to be overcome before it gains acceptance within the forestry community. This paper discusses the work that has gone on in developing in-field NIR tools for KPY assessment and also discusses the hurdles that are to be overcome. Robust portable NIR instruments are now commercially available and can be used confidently by trained field technicians to make meaningful measurements of wood properties. But an understanding of wood property variation and the handling of NIR instruments is needed to avoid errors in data collection and subsequent interpretation.