Projection of a diameter distribution through time

2007 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 188-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianhua Qin ◽  
Quang V Cao ◽  
David C Blouin

Three approaches to characterizing the diameter distribution of a future stand are presented. The first approach is the "parameter-recovery" method, which links a whole-stand model to a diameter-distribution model. The next two approaches provide linkages between an individual-tree model and a diameter-distribution model. Tree-survival and diameter-growth equations were applied to the tree list (the "tree-projection" method) or to the diameter distribution (the "distribution-projection" method) at the beginning of the growth period. A numerical example of Weibull distributions that characterized diameter data from the Southwide Seed Source Study of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) is presented. All three methods produced similar results in terms of Reynolds et al.'s (1988) error indices, whereas the distribution-projection method outperformed the other two methods in predicting total and merchantable volumes per hectare. This study demonstrated that the diameter-distribution model could be linked to either a whole-stand model or an individual-tree model with comparable success.

1996 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
James S. Shortt ◽  
Harold E. Burkhart

Abstract Four different loblolly pine growth and yield models were evaluated for the purpose of updating forest inventory data. The types of growth and yield models examined were: a whole stand, a diameter distribution-parameter prediction, a diameter distribution-parameter recovery, and an individual tree model. Three different approaches were used to create fitting and validation data sets from permanent plot remeasurement data; each of the four growth and yield models was evaluated at varying projection periods. The periods used were 0, 3, 6, and 9 yr. Evaluations were based solely on the capability of each model to predict merchantable volume. In terms of root mean square error of prediction, the individual tree and whole stand models performed better than the diameter distribution models. At shorter projection periods, the individual tree model performed better than the whole stand model, but the whole stand approach was superior at the 9 yr period. Of the diameter distribution models, the parameter recovery model performed better for shorter periods than the parameter prediction model, but this difference diminished with longer periods. South. J. Appl. For. 20(1):15-22.


2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 953-960 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianhua Qin ◽  
Quang V Cao

Data from 200 plots randomly selected from the Southwide Pine Seed Source Study of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) were used to fit whole-stand and individual-tree equations. Another 100 plots, also randomly selected, were used for validation. Outputs from the individual-tree model were then adjusted to match observed stand attributes (number of trees, basal area, and volume per hectare) by four disaggregation methods: proportional yield, proportional growth, constrained least squares, and coefficient adjustment. The first three are existing methods, and the fourth is new. The four methods produced similar results, and the coefficient adjustment was then selected as the method to disaggregate predicted stand growth among trees in the tree list. Results showed that, compared to the unadjusted individual tree model, the adjusted tree model performed much better in predicting stand attributes, while providing comparable predictions of tree diameter, height, and survival probability. The proposed approach showed promise in the ongoing effort to link growth models having different resolutions.


ISRN Forestry ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Missanjo ◽  
Gift Kamanga-Thole ◽  
Vidah Manda

Genetic and phenotypic parameters for height, diameter at breast height (dbh), and volume were estimated for Pinus kesiya Royle ex Gordon clonal seed orchard in Malawi using an ASReml program, fitting an individual tree model. The data were from 88 clones assessed at 18, 23, 30, 35, and 40 years of age. Heritability estimates for height, dbh, and volume were moderate to high ranging from 0.19 to 0.54, from 0.14 to 0.53, and from 0.20 to 0.59, respectively, suggesting a strong genetic control of the traits at the individual level, among families, and within families. The genetic and phenotypic correlations between the growth traits were significantly high and ranged from 0.69 to 0.97 and from 0.60 to 0.95, respectively. This suggests the possibility of indirect selection in trait with direct selection in another trait. The predicted genetic gains showed that the optimal rotational age of the Pinus kesiya clonal seed orchard is 30 years; therefore, it is recommended to establish a new Pinus kesiya clonal seed orchard. However, selective harvest of clones with high breeding values in the old seed orchard should be considered so that the best parents in the old orchard can continue to contribute until the new orchard is well established.


2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 298-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Roberto Soares Scolforo ◽  
Thiza Falqueto Altoe ◽  
Henrique Ferraco Scolforo ◽  
Jose Marcio de Mello ◽  
Charles Plinio Castro e Silva ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Eremanthus erythropappus, commonly known as candeia, is an income-generating tree native to Brazil. This is due to the high durability of its wood and its essential oil containing the active component alpha bisabolol. Despite this economic potential, until the early 2000's no studies existed to explore the sustainable management in areas in which the species naturally occurs or for establishing commercial plantations. This study proposes new management strategies based on an individual tree model, and evaluates the growth behavior of candeia trees planted in different spacing. The experiment was installed in March 2002, in Carrancas municipality, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. The experimental area was divided into 4 blocks with 4 different spacings as treatments. The individual model used to propose the best management system uses development of crown area as a function of DBH. The results showed that candeia trees were sensitive to initial spacing variation. With increased initial spacing, candeia trees reached competition later, as demonstrated by crown area development. Thus, candeia trees planted at a wider spacing maintain a desirable growth rate without need for thinning for a longer time, compared to trees planted at narrower spacing. The fitted individual tree model presented in this study showed consistent results and flexibility, providing alternatives for different management strategies. The best growth response was obtained for planting densities greater than 3.75 m² per tree, which corresponds to a spacing of 1.5 x 2.5 m.


2006 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young-Jin Lee ◽  
Dean W. Coble

Abstract A parameter recovery procedure for the Weibull distribution function based on four percentile equations was used to develop a diameter distribution yield prediction model for unmanaged loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantations in East Texas. This model was compared with the diameter distribution models of Lenhart and Knowe, which have been used in East Texas. All three models were evaluated with independent observed data. The model developed in this study performed better than the other two models in prediction of trees per acre and cubic-foot volume per acre (wood and bark, excluding stump) across diameter classes. Lenhart’s model consistently underestimated the larger-diameter classes because it was developed originally with data mostly collected in young plantations. Knowe’s model overestimated volume in sawtimber-sized trees, which could lead to overestimations of volume in older loblolly pine plantations found in East Texas. An example also is provided to show users how to use this new yield prediction system. These results support the recommendation that forest managers should use growth and yield models designed and/or calibrated for the region in which they are implemented.South. J. Appl.For. 30(1):13–20.


1995 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 803-812 ◽  
Author(s):  
John P. McTague ◽  
William F. Stansfield

Stand-level equations are presented that project future merchantable tree survival, pole-tree basal area, and sawtimber basal area. Total basal area (excluding ingrowth) is the sum of the pole-tree and sawtimber components. Ratio equations are used for eight species (seven softwoods and one hardwood) to compute the change in species abundance and species basal area over time. Individual-tree mortality is predicted with a logistic function, while individual-tree diameter growth is predicted as a function of stand and individual-tree attributes. The individual-tree and species-level equations are adjusted so that tree frequency and basal area are consistent with the stand-level projection equations. Total ingrowth is computed with a stand-level projection equation and is distributed with a parameter recovery method using the uniform distribution. The presence or absence of ingrowth for a given species is determined with a discriminant function, while the proportion of total ingrowth allocated to a species is predicted with a logistic function.


1979 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan R. Ek ◽  
Robert A. Monserud

A distance-dependent individual tree based growth model (FOREST) was compared with a diameter-class growth model (SHAF) for describing changes in stand density and structure. Projections of Lake States' northern hardwood stand development were made by each model for 5–26 years over a range of stand conditions and harvest treatments. Results from numerous performance tests and comparisons of actual and predicted diameter distributions, basal areas, and numbers of trees, indicate the individual tree model was considerably more sensitive to harvest treatments and reproduction response than the diameter-class model. Conversely, the latter was much less expensive to operate. Prediction of species and individual tree growth with the individual tree model appeared to provide sensitivity nearly equal to that observed for predictions of the stand as a whole. Long-term projections (120 years) for reserve (no cut) and clear-cut stand conditions further suggest the potential and limitations of the models for management analyses.


2003 ◽  
Vol 186 (1-3) ◽  
pp. 297-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.David Coates ◽  
Charles D Canham ◽  
Marilou Beaudet ◽  
Donald L Sachs ◽  
Christian Messier

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 440-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuaichao Sun ◽  
Quang V. Cao ◽  
Tianjian Cao

Competition indices play a significant role in modeling individual-tree growth and survival. In this study, six distance-independent competition indices were evaluated using 200 permanent plots of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.). The competition indices were classified into three families: (1) size ratios, which include diameter ratio and basal area ratio; (2) relative position indices, which include basal area of larger trees (BAL) and tree relative position based on the cumulative distribution function (CDF); and (3) partitioned stand density index and relative density. Results indicated that different families of competition indices were suitable for different tree survival or diameter growth prediction tasks. The diameter ratio was superior for predicting tree survival, whereas the relative position indices (BAL and CDF) performed best for predicting tree diameter growth, with CDF receiving the highest rank.


2008 ◽  
Vol 35 (10) ◽  
pp. 964 ◽  
Author(s):  
Risto Sievänen ◽  
Jari Perttunen ◽  
Eero Nikinmaa ◽  
Pekka Kaitaniemi

Functional–structural plant growth models (FSPMs) combine the description of the structure of plants and the resource acquisition and partitioning at a detailed architectural level. They offer a means to study tree and stand development on the basis of a structurally accurate description that combines resource capture at the same level of detail. We describe here how a ‘shoot-based’ individual tree model, LIGNUM of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) has been applied to a group of identical trees (forest). The model has been applied to isolated trees and saplings growing in forest gaps. First, we present the LIGNUM model and the changes necessary for simulation of a forest instead of individual trees. LIGNUM derives tree growth on the basis of a process-based model of tree carbon balance and the architectural development of the 3-D tree crown. The time step is 1 year. We realised the forest as consisting of individual Scots pine trees on a plot 17 × 17 m, but simplified the stand description by simulating the growth of only one tree in the middle of the plot and assumed that the other trees were identical to it at all times. The model produced results that are comparable with observations made in real Scots pine trees and tree stands in Finland. The simulations with variable values of the parameters controlling the foliage–sapwood relationship, amount of sapwood required below a point in a branch or a stem, and the senescence of sapwood showed how growth declines when the sapwood requirement in the branches and stem was high. In this case, the proportion of resources allocated to the needles became small and the needle mass was low.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document