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Field measurements from 450 sample plots, airborne lidar data and spectral images from Aegviidu, Estonia, 15 by 15 km test site were used to analyse options to estimate main forest inventory variables using remote sensing data. Up to 7 m random error in location of 15 m radius sample plots within homogeneous stands causes usually about 0.5 m standard deviation in lidar pulse return height distribution percentiles. Forest mean height can be predicted with linear relationship from 80th percentile of lidar pulse return height distribution. Upper percentiles of pulse return height distribution are not significantly affected by omitting returns from ground and forest understorey vegetation. Total stem volume in forest can be predicted by using 80th percentile, 25th percentile and canopy cover as model arguments with less than 70 m³ ha-1 standard error. Best species specific stem volume models had 10 m³ ha-1 smaller standard error. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]