The Spanish National Forest Inventory, a tool for the knowledge, management and conservation of forest ecosystems

It is necessary to have an accurate data base information with a strong theoretical basis, to know the trends and to be able to assess the consequences of different management actions in order to make an appropriated policy decision-making and sound management of forest ecosystems. National Forest Inventories (NFI) are the one of the best large-scale sources of information, and therefore a relevant pillar for forest policies. To meet the demands of both national and international information needs, each country has developed a methodology considering the characteristics of their NFI designs and their forests. This paper describes the methodology and guidance of the Spanish NFI in their different cycles. Additionally the international requirement answers by it are described together with the description of the harmonization needs with other NFIs to obtain comparable indicators. Finally, challenges, future perspectives and direction possible future assessments are discussed, such us an open data source and to broad the monitored field variables (multi-objective inventory) to be able to meet information needs.