scholarly journals Prediction Comparison of Stand Parameters and Two Ecosystem Services through New Growth and Yield Model System for Mixed Nothofagus Forests in Southern Chile

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 1236
Author(s):  
Paulo Moreno-Meynard ◽  
Sebastian Palmas ◽  
Salvador A. Gezan

Forest managers need tools to predict the behavior of forests not only for the main stand parameters, such as basal area and volume, but also for ecosystem services such as timber volume and carbon sequestration. Useful tools to predict these parameters are growth and yield model systems with several possible options for modeling, such as the whole stand-level model, with or without diameter distribution generation, individual tree-level model, and compatibility models. However, those tools are scarce or developed mainly for forest plantations that are mostly located in the northern hemisphere. Thus, this study focuses on analyzing predictions of several growth and yield models built for native mixed Nothofagus forests from southern Chile, using the simulator Nothopack. A dataset of 19 permanent plots with three measurements were used for comparing the different models. Individual tree-level simulation presented the best goodness-of-fit statistics for stand parameters and ecosystem services. For example, the basal area gave an R2emp of 0.97 and 0.87 at 6 and 12 years of projection. However, the stand-level simulations with a generation of diameter distribution and both compatibility models showed satisfactory performance, both in accuracy and bias control. The simulator Nothopack, which has the capability of obtaining detailed outputs, is a useful tool to support management plans for these forest ecosystems.

Silva Fennica ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Petteri Seppänen ◽  
Antti Mäkinen

The purpose of this study was to prepare a comprehensive, computerized teak ( L.f) plantation yield model system that can be used to describe the forest dynamics, predict growth and yield and support forest planning and decision-making. Extensive individual tree and permanent sample plot data were used to develop tree-level volume models, taper curve models and stand-level yield models for teak plantations in Panama. Tree volume models were satisfactorily validated against independent measurement data and other published models. Tree height as input parameter improved the stem volume model marginally. Stand level yield models produced comparable harvest volumes with models published in the literature. Stand level volume product outputs were found like actual harvests with an exception that the models marginally underestimate the share of logs in very large diameter classes. The kind of comprehensive model developed in this study and implemented in an easy to use software package provides a very powerful decision support tool. Optimal forest management regimes can be found by simulating different planting densities, thinning regimes and final harvest ages. Forest practitioners can apply growth and yield models in the appropriate stand level inventory data and perform long term harvest scheduling at property level or even at an entire timberland portfolio level. Harvest schedules can be optimized using the applicable financial parameters (silviculture costs, harvesting costs, wood prices and discount rates) and constraints (market size and operational capacity).Tectona grandis


Author(s):  
Quang V. Cao

This study discussed four methods to project a diameter distribution from age A1 to age A2. Method 1 recovers parameters of the distribution at age A2 from stand attributes at that age. Method 2 uses a stand-level model to grow the quadratic mean diameter, and then recovers the distribution parameters from that prediction. Method 3 grows the diameter distribution by assuming tree-level survival and diameter growth functions. Method 4 first converts the diameter distribution at age A1 into a list of individual trees before growing these trees to age A2. In a numerical example employing the Weibull distribution, methods 3 and 4 produced better results based on two types of error indices and the relative predictive error for each diameter class. Method 4 is a novel method that converts a diameter distribution into a list of individual-trees, and in the process, successfully links together diameter distribution, individual-tree, and whole stand models.


2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 430-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annika Kangas ◽  
Matti Maltamo

Diameter distribution of the growing stock is essential in many forest management planning problems. The diameter distribution is the basis for predicting, for example, timber assortments of a stand. Usually the predicted diameter distribution is scaled so that the stem number (or basal area) corresponds to the measured value (or predicted future value), but it may be difficult to obtain a distribution that gives correct estimates for all known variables. Diameter distributions that are compatible with all available information can be obtained using an approach adopted from sampling theory, the calibration estimation. In calibration estimation, the original predicted frequencies are modified so that they respect a set of constraints, the calibration equations. In this paper, an example of utilizing diameter distributions in growth and yield predictions is presented. The example is based on individual tree growth models of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). Calibration estimation was utilized in predicting the diameter distribution at the beginning of the simulation period. Then, trees were picked from the distribution and their development was predicted with individual tree models. In predicting the current stand characteristics, calibrated diameter distributions proved to be efficient. However, in predicting future yields, calibration estimation did not significantly improve the accuracy of the results.


1989 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 405-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernest H. Bowling ◽  
Harold E. Burkhart ◽  
Thomas E. Burk ◽  
Donald E. Beck

A stand-level growth and yield model was developed to predict future diameter at breast height (dbh) distributions of thinned stands of mixed Appalachian hardwoods. The model allows prediction by species group and dbh class. Stand attributes (basal area per unit area, trees per unit area, minimum stand dbh, and arithmetic mean dbh) were projected through time for the whole stand and for individual species groups. Future dbh distributions were obtained using the three-parameter Weibull probability density function and a variation of the parameter recovery method. The recovery method used employed the first two noncentral moments of dbh (arithmetic mean dbh and quadratic mean dbh2) to generate Weibull parameters. Future dbh distributions were generated for the whole stand and every species group but one; the diameter distribution for the remaining species group was obtained by subtraction.


2010 ◽  
Vol 40 (8) ◽  
pp. 1517-1528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leah C. Rathbun ◽  
Valerie LeMay ◽  
Nick Smith

Individual-tree distance-independent models were developed to estimate regular mortality for western hemlock ( Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.), Douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco var. menziesii), and western redcedar ( Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don) in the coastal temperate rain forests of British Columbia, Canada. Permanent plots remeasured at intervals ranging from 1 to 17 years were used. Because of the irregular remeasurement intervals, survival was estimated using a generalized logistic model and mortality was calculated by subtraction. Basal area of trees larger than the subject tree provided reasonably accurate mortality estimates for larger trees. However, poor results were obtained for trees less than 7.5 cm in diameter at breast height, which had higher mortality rates than the larger trees. Since the implementation of a survival (or mortality) model within a growth and yield model environment can largely affect estimation accuracy, three methods of implementing the model were also evaluated. A probability multiplier approach where the stems per hectare surviving to the next period is estimated by multiplying the probability of survival by the stems per hectare at the beginning of the time period is recommended. This is equivalent to a stochastic approach averaged over many repetitions but with much less processing time.


2008 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-35
Author(s):  
Thomas G. Matney ◽  
Emily B. Schultz

Abstract Many growth and yield models have used statistical probability distributions to estimate the diameter distribution of a stand at any age. Equations for approximating individual tree diameter growth and survival probabilities from dbh can be derived from these models. A general procedure for determining the functions is discussed and illustrated using a loblolly pine spacing study. The results from the spacing study show that it is possible to define tree diameter growth and survival probability functions from diameter distributions with an accuracy sufficient to obtain a link between the individual tree and diameter growth and yield models.


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.


2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (9) ◽  
pp. 1007-1019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Castle ◽  
Aaron Weiskittel ◽  
Robert Wagner ◽  
Mark Ducey ◽  
Jereme Frank ◽  
...  

Northern hardwood species display a variety of forms and defects that can reduce stem quality and complicate their timber management. However, for the most part, growth and yield models do not account for the influence of stem form and damage. This study determined the influence of stem form and damage on growth, survival, and projected future sawlog value among several northern commercial hardwood species. To accomplish this, hardwood trees on 112 permanent plots across three long-term research sites in Maine were assigned stem form and risk classes using a tree classification system developed in New Brunswick. A highly significant influence of stem form and risk on annualized individual-tree diameter increment and survival was found. Inclusion of these equations into a regional growth and yield model highlighted the importance of stem form and defects on long-term simulations as projected stand-level future value was significantly reduced by over 17%, on average (range of 13% to 28%), when compared with projections that did not include that tree-level information. The results highlight the importance of stem form and defects, as well as the need to account for them, in growth and yield applications that assess the forecasted value of commercially important hardwood stands.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Montwé ◽  
Audrey Standish ◽  
Miriam Isaac-Renton ◽  
Jodi Axelson

<p>Increasing frequency of severe drought events under climate change is a major cause for concern for millions of hectares of forested land. One practical solution to improving forest resilience may be thinning. There may be several potential benefits, chief of which is that drought tolerance could be improved in the remaining trees due to lower competition for resources and increased precipitation throughfall. By improving resilience to drought, this may increase productivity of the remaining trees while lowering risks of mortality. Such potential benefits can effectively be quantified with data from statistically-sound, long-term field experiments, and tree rings provide a suitable avenue to compare treatments. We work with an experiment that applied different levels of tree retention to mature interior Douglas fir (<em>Pseudotsuga menziesii</em> var. <em>glauca</em>) in a dry ecosystem of western Canada. The treatments were applied in the winter of 2002/2003, coinciding with the aftermath of a severe natural drought event in 2002. We used tree-rings to quantify the extent to which thinning improves recovery and resilience of treated trees as compared to non-thinned controls. Tree-ring samples as well as height and diameter data were obtained from 83 trees from 8 treatment units of the randomized experimental design. Indicators for resilience to drought were calculated based on basal area increments. Thinning substantially increased basal area increments at the individual tree level, but more importantly, led to significantly higher recovery and resilience relative to the control. The results of this tree-ring analysis suggest that thinning may be a viable silvicultural intervention to counteract effects of severe drought events and to maintain tree cover.</p>


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.


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