Towards a nationwide growth and yield model for radiata pine plantations in New Zealand

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 2533-2543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helge Dzierzon ◽  
Euan G Mason

A study was designed to evaluate a forest stand modelling approach for management use that can be applied across a wide range of site types and climatic regions. Radiata pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) plantations dominate New Zealand's forestry sector; thus, this species was the subject of the study. A major goal of the study was to compare different modelling approaches, which combine simplicity and site sensitivity. Therefore, two general modelling approaches were investigated: a site-stratified and a physiological hybrid approach. Both approaches were implemented by using difference equations. The investigation revealed more consistently improved fits of stratified models, although the fitting process showed potential bias of parameter estimates. On the other hand, the hybrid approach resulted in promising results, especially for stand basal area. The introduction of climate and site variables showed less improvement for mean top height than for basal area. The application of the model on regional scales resulted in an improved prediction in a region with plenty of growth limitations, but less precise results in a region where growth was limited primarily by light and temperature. In the whole, results of the hybrid approach will encourage further studies that incorporate more sophisticated approaches for depicting physiological processes.

1999 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 179-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stacey W. Martin ◽  
Graham H. Brister

Abstract Using 5 yr remeasurement data from even-aged natural loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) stands in the Georgia Piedmont, a system of growth equations was developed to project pine yield over time that accounts for hardwood competition. In this system, the increase in the proportion of hardwood basal area over time is estimated, then the projected pine basal area and trees per acre are adjusted inversely to account for this increase. The parameter estimates for this system ensure compatibility between volume prediction and projection equations and the proportion of hardwood basal area, pine basal area, dominant height, and trees per acre projection equations. The whole-stand growth and yield system developed here coupled with published merchantable yield equations allow for the evaluation of the impact of hardwoods on future stand yield and product distributions. The results indicate that the impact of hardwood competition on pine yield is substantial and occurs mainly as a reduction in sawtimber volume. South. J. Appl. For. 16(3):179-185.


1991 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 213-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quang V. Cao ◽  
Kenneth M. Durand

Abstract A compatible growth and yield model was developed based on remeasurement data collected from 183 plots on unthinned improved eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides Bartr.) plantations in the lower Mississippi Delta. The Sullivan and Clutter (1972) equation form was selected for predicting cubic-foot volume yield and projecting volume from site index and initial age and basal area. Yield equations explained 97% and 94%, respectively, of the variations in total outside bark and merchantable inside bark volumes. Mean annual increment of merchantable volume culminated between 8 and 15 years, depending on site index and initial basal area. South. J. Appl. For. 15(4):213-216.


Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 810
Author(s):  
Sebastian Palmas ◽  
Paulo C. Moreno ◽  
Wendel P. Cropper ◽  
Alicia Ortega ◽  
Salvador A. Gezan

Reliable information on stand dynamics and development is needed to improve management decisions on mixed forests, and essential tools for this purpose are forest growth and yield (G&Y) models. In this study, stand-level G&Y models were built for cohorts within the natural mixed second-growth Nothofagus-dominated forests in Chile. All currently available (but limited) data, consisting of a series of stratified temporary and permanent plots established in the complete range of this forest type, were used to fit and validate these models. Linear and nonlinear models were considered, where dominant stand age, number of trees, and the proportion of basal area of Nothofagus species resulted in significant predictors to project future values of stand basal area for the different cohorts (with R2 > 0.51 for the validation datasets). Mortality was successfully modeled (R2 = 0.79), based on a small set of permanent plots, using the concept of self-thinning with a proposed model defined by the idea that, as stands get closer to a maximum density, they experience higher levels of mortality. The evaluation of these models indicated that they adequately represent the current understanding of dynamics of basal area and mortality of Nothofagus and companion species in these forests. These are the first models fitted over a large geographical area that consider the dynamics of these mixed forests. It is suggested that the proposed models should constitute the main components of future implementations of G&Y model systems.


2009 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dean W. Coble

Abstract A new compatible whole-stand growth-and-yield model to predict total tree cubic-foot volume per acre yield (outside and inside bark) was developed for unmanaged loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) and slash pine (Pinus elliottii) plantations in East Texas. This model was compared with the noncompatible whole-stand model of Lenhart (<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B15-2127">Lenhart, 1996</xref>, Total and partial stand-level yield prediction for loblolly and slash pine plantations in east Texas, South. J. Appl. For. 20(1):36–41) and the <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B15-2127">Lenhart (1996)</xref> model refit to current data. For the two species, all three models were evaluated with independent observed data. The model developed in this study outperformed both Lenhart models in prediction of future yield and basal area per acre for all age classes combined and by 5-year age classes. The Lenhart models consistently overestimated yield and basal area per acre. All three models predicted surviving trees per acre similarly. An example is also provided to show users how to use the new whole-stand model.


1983 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 563-571 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert L. Bailey ◽  
Kenneth D. Ware

A measure of kind and level of thinning is developed and its relationship to other stand attributes such as number of trees, basal area, and volume removed in thinning is quantified. This measure or thinning index is based on the ratio of the quadratic mean diameter of thinned trees to the quadratic mean diameter of all trees before thinning. The thinning index is then logically incorporated into a thinning multiplier from which is derived a compatible basal-area growth projection model to generalize the previous concepts for thinning effects in systems for predicting growth and yield. Empirical tests with data from thinned and unthinned natural stands of loblolly pine, from thinned and unthinned slash pine plantations, and from thinned western larch stands show the model to provide estimates with improved properties. Hence, the thinning index and the thinning multiplier are also proposed for other situations involving effects of thinning.


1995 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 583-587 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Weiss ◽  
N. Budak ◽  
P. S. Baenziger

Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plant height is an important trait for the diverse environmental conditions found in the Great Plains. It has been related to seedling emergence, lodging, soil erosion, ease of harvest, crop residue and weed control. The hypothesis that transpiration, which integrates atmosphere, soil, and plant processes, could be used to characterize environmental effects on wheat plant height was tested in this research. Data from four commercial winter wheat cultivars (Arapahoe, TAM107, Vista, and Siouxland) and nine environments in Nebraska in 1992 and 1993 were used. The climatic regions represented in this study ranged from sub-humid to semiarid. To test our hypothesis, a spring wheat growth and yield model was modified to predict plant height development (modeled as a sigmoidal function of time) in winter wheat. Daily height increment was based on the ratio of actual to potential transpiration. The model was run for these four cultivars in eight environments. Data from the ninth environment was used to estimate maximum plant height for each cultivar; a necessary input into the model. Modeled plant height predictions were in good agreement with actual measurements for all environments (R2 = 0.80). Based on these results, we conclude that transpiration was a good indicator of environment for plant height development in winter wheat. Key words:Triticum aestivum L., plant height, transpiration, modeling


2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (12) ◽  
pp. 1676-1687 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark O. Kimberley ◽  
John R. Moore ◽  
Heidi S. Dungey

Realised genetic gain for radiata pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) was estimated using data from 46 installations of three series of block-plot trials spanning a wide range of site types throughout New Zealand. These trials contained 63 unique seedlots with different levels of genetic improvement. Realised genetic gain was quantified using two measures of productivity: site index and 300 Index (a measure of volume productivity). The level of genetic improvement of each seedlot was determined by its GF Plus rating, a genetic rating system based on breeding values used for New Zealand radiata pine. There was a positive relationship between GF Plus rating and both productivity measures. Differences of 25% in total standing volume at age 30 years and of 5.6% in site index were found between unimproved (GF Plus 9.9) and highly improved (GF Plus 25) seedlots. Each unit increase in GF Plus rating was associated with a 1.51% increase in volume growth rate. In absolute terms, the magnitude of the increase was greater on more productive sites compared with less productive sites, although in percentage terms, it varied little between sites or regions. Quantification of genetic gain in this manner enables it to be easily incorporated into existing growth and yield simulators.


1984 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 295-295
Author(s):  
Robert L. Bailey ◽  
Kenneth D. Ware

not available


1993 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 120-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lianjun Zhang ◽  
James A. Moore ◽  
James D. Newberry

Abstract A whole-stand model, Simulation Of Stands (SOS), was developed for even-aged Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca) stands in the inland Northwest. The model consists of three new components: (1) volume prediction model, (2) basal area prediction model, and (3) survival model. Existing height growth models were used to estimate stand top height growth. The behavior and performance of SOS were evaluated by simulating stand development over time under alternative conditions and comparing the results with growth and yield concepts suggested in the literature. The predicted stand attributes from SOS were also compared with predictions from the Stand Prognosis Model and Stand Projection System (SPS). SOS behavior was similar to Prognosis for lower site indices, but more like SPS for higher site indices. The three models differed mainly with respect to stand top height growth and tree survival. West. J. Appl. For. 8(4):120-125.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin B Hall ◽  
Jl Stape ◽  
Bronson P Bullock ◽  
Doug Frederick ◽  
Jeff Wright ◽  
...  

Abstract In recent Eucalyptus cold-tolerance trials, E. benthamii has shown good growth rates as well as cold tolerance for USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 8 and 9. This study developed growth and yield models for E. benthamii in the southeastern United States. A network of 182 temporary sample plots of E. benthamii ranging in age from 1.5 to 13.3 years was established, and inventory data were collected. Site quality was determined by fitting a polymorphic site index curve, whereas a function for stand basal area based on age, dominant height, and site occupancy was fitted. Stand-level volume and dry-weight biomass prediction equations were fitted as a function of dominant height and basal area. Based on the growth and yield model results, mean annual increments ranged from 26.4 m3 ha–1 year–1 at rotation age 6 years on the best sites to 13.7 m3 ha–1 year–1 at rotation age 10 years on the poorest sites. This is the first published set of management-oriented models for land managers considering planting E. benthamii in the southeastern United States.


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