scholarly journals A Semi-empirical Approach Based on Genetic Programming for the Study of Biophysical Controls on Diameter-Growth of Fagus orientalis in Northern Iran

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (14) ◽  
pp. 1680 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bayat ◽  
Noi ◽  
Zare ◽  
Bui

This paper examines the possible ecological controls on the diameter increment of oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) in a high altitude forest in northern Iran. The main objectives of the study are computer-generated abiotic surfaces and associated plot estimates of (i) growing-season-cumulated potential solar radiation, (ii) seasonal air temperature, (iii) topographic wetness index in representing soil water distribution, and (iv) wind velocity generated from the simulation of fluid-flow dynamics in complex terrain. Plot estimates of the tree growth are based on averaged plot measurements of diameter at breast height increment during a growing period of nine years (2003–2012). Biotic variables related to the tree diameter increment involve averaged 2003 tree diameter and basal area measured in individual forest plots. In the modelling data (144 plots), the assemblage of modelled and observed site variables explained 75% of the variance in plot-level diameter increment. In the validation data (32 plots), the degree of explained variance was 77%. Mean tree diameter at breast height showed the strongest correlation with diameter increment, explaining 32% of the variation between-plot, followed by the configuration of topography and re-distribution of surface water (19.5%) and plot basal area (16.9%). On average, localised estimates of solar radiation and wind velocity potentially contribute to about 20% of the control on plot-level mean increment in oriental beech of the area. The results of the genetic programming showed that controlling the stand basal area and tree size by thinning and/or selective harvesting can have a favourable impact on the future distribution of mean diameter in oriental beech.

1990 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 496-502 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. G. Gregoire ◽  
S. M. Zedaker ◽  
N. S. Nicholas

The computed estimate of basal area was the focus of this investigation into the accuracy of tree diameter measurements. Diameter at breast height was measured on 101 trees, the breast height disc was removed from the stem, and each disc outline was then digitized to determine its actual area. Actual areas were compared with the basal areas computed with the field measurements of diameter by expressing the deviations as a proportion of the actual areas. These relative errors averaged 3.1% when basal area was computed with a taped diameter at breast height, and they averaged −2.5% when the mean of two calipered, perpendicular diameter at breast height measurements were used. Noncircularity accounted for about 2.6% of the bias, on average, in basal areas from taped diameters. Root mean square error of relative basal area errors ranged from 7.3 to 7.9% among these methods. The difference between basal areas computed with a taped diameter at breast height and with calipered diameter at breast height was computed and expressed as a proportion of the actual basal area. On average, a difference of 5% was observed. Interval estimates for these differences are presented.


2019 ◽  
Vol 143 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 45-51
Author(s):  
Ali Kemal Özbayram

Narrow-leaved ash (NLA, Fraxinus angustifolia) is an important tree species due to its rapid development and valuable wood. In the pure NLA plantations in Turkey, little is known about the effects of thinning intensity on the diameter increment of different parts of the tree stem. In 2005, a thinning experiment with three thinning intensities (control: 0%; moderate: 19%; heavy: 28% of basal area removed) was established in an NLA plantation in Sakarya, Turkey. Seven years after thinning, a total of 25 sample trees representing dominant and co-dominant trees were felled, and cross-sectional stem samples were taken for analysis. The diameter at breast height (d<sub>1.30</sub>) and d<sub>1.30</sub> increments of the co-dominant trees with the moderate and heavy treatments were similar to each other and greater than in the controls. The seven-year d<sub>1.30</sub> increments of the dominant trees in the heavy-treatment plot were approximately 20% greater than in the other treatments plots. The highest diameter increments in both dominant and co-dominant trees for all treatments were determined at the 0.30 m and 17.30 m section heights. The sample tree diameter increments of between 1.30 m and 13.30 m were similar within their classes. In conclusion, heavy-intensity thinning of up to 28% did not cause tapering in the NLA plantation stems, and thus, heavy thinning can be recommended for NLA trees.


1981 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 299-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric J. Jokela ◽  
Colleen Ann Shannon ◽  
Edwin H. White

Biomass and nutrient accumulation by tree components for 66-year-old mature paper birch is presented. Logarithmic regression equations are given relating aboveground tree component biomass and contents of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg to tree diameter at breast height (dbh). Branches, bole bark, and bole wood accounted for 90–97% of the total aboveground tree biomass. Highest concentrations of most nutrients were in the foliage. For the tree of mean basal area (dbh = 15 cm), the crown components of branches and foliage constituted only 16% of the biomass but accounted for 49, 57, 53, 37, and 44%, respectively, of the N, P, K, Ca, and Mg accumulated.


1976 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 441-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. MacLean ◽  
Ross W. Wein

Biomass accumulation in 12 jack pine and 11 mixed hardwood stands of fire origin ranging in age from 7 to 57 years is presented. Logarithmic equations relating aboveground tree, crown, and stem biomass to tree diameter at breast height are given for eight tree species.


1995 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 413-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.L. Korol ◽  
S.W. Running ◽  
K.S. Milner

Current research suggests that projected climate change may influence the growth of individual trees. Therefore, growth and yield models that can respond to potential changes in climate must be developed, TREE-BGC, a variant of the ecosystem process model FOREST-BGC, calculates the cycling of carbon, water, and nitrogen in and through forested ecosystems. TREE-BGC allocates stand-level estimates of photosynthesis to "each tree using a competition algorithm that incorporates tree height, relative radiation-use efficiency, and absorbed photosynthetically active radiation, TREE-BGC simulated the growth of trees grown in a dense and an open stand of interior Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) near Kamloops, B.C. The competition algorithm dynamically allocated stand estimates of photosynthesis to individual trees, and the trees were grown using an allometric relationship between biomass increment and height and diameter increment. Asymptotic height growth and the changes in the height–diameter relationship with competition were also incorporated in the model algorithms. Sapwood and phloem volume were used to calculate maintenance respiration. Predicted reductions in diameter growth with stand density were similar to those observed in the study stands. Although the carbon balance of individual trees was not tested, simulated tree diameter increments and height increments were correlated with the actual measurements of tree diameter increment (r2 = 0.89) and tree height increment (r2 = 0.78) for the 5-year period (n = 352). Although the model did not work well with trees that had diameters <5 cm, the model would be appropriate for a user who required an accuracy of ± 0.03 m3•ha−1 for volume, ± 0.02 m2•ha−1 for basal area, or ± 0.4 m for tree height over a 5-year period.


Author(s):  
S.E. Bassey ◽  
S. Ajayi

This research estimated aboveground tree stand level Biomass in Erukot Forest of Oban Division, Cross River National Park. A total of 872 individual trees were identified and measured for diameter at breast height and total height (dbh ≥ 5cm). The 872 individual trees spread across 51 species belonging to 25 different tree families. Simple random sampling was used with sampling intensity of 0.3% to lay 15 nested plots (7m x 7m, 25m x 25m and 35m x 35m). Diameter at breast height, total height and specific density of each wood species were used to determine aboveground biomass for each tree. Conversion factors were applied to estimate stand level green and dry biomass, sequestered carbon and carbon dioxide (CO2) emission in the study area. Simple linear regression models were fitted into the stand level growth data for the forest (basal area and volume). The mean diameter at breast height and mean total height were 38.5cm and 18.5m respectively. Mean basal area of 39.8 m2 ha-1 was obtained with a mean volume of 177.3 m3 ha-1 . Average green biomass, dry biomass, carbon stock and carbon-dioxide emission of 521.8113 ton ha-1 , 341.5880 ton ha-1 , 183.196 ton ha-1 and 694.2067 ton ha-1 respectively were obtained in the study area. Stand level biomass model developed for the forest showed that common logarithm of volume per hectare is significantly related to common logarithm of stand biomass (R2 = 58%). The actual and predicted biomasses were not significantly different (Paired T-test at p ˂ 0.05). Estimated bias of 0.10% for the stand biomass model means that the developed model can be used to predict the aboveground biomass of the study area without any adjustment. The research has provided easy to use regression model for determining aboveground biomass at stand level. This is very useful for carbon trade and assessment of carbon-dioxide emissions through deforestation in the study area. The model is also a tool for assessing the wood productivity of the study area and for better management of the park. Keyword: Sequestered carbon, aboveground biomass, dry biomass, conversion factor


2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kjell Karlsson ◽  
Lennart Norell

The probability that an individual tree will remain in even-aged Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) stands subjected to different thinning programmes was modelled, using data from a thinning experiment established in 25 localities in southern Sweden. A logistic regression approach was used to predict the probability and the Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test to evaluate the fit. Diameter at breast height (DBH), quadratic mean DBH, thinning intensity, thinning quotient, basal area, number of stems per hectare, stand age, number of thinnings, and site index were used as explanatory variables. Separate analyses for stands thinned from below, stands thinned from above, and unthinned stands were performed. The modelled probability graphs for trees not being removed, plotted against their diameter at breast height, had clear S-shapes for both unthinned stands and stands thinned from below. The graph for stands thinned from above was bell-shaped.


2009 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. 446-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
François Guillemette ◽  
Marie-Claude Lambert

Four methods of estimating diameter at breast height (DBH) were used on 558 northern hardwood stems, located in 6, 0.25-ha plots, to compare their effects. The first method was a diameter tape reading and the second was a systematic reading, along a predefined axis, taken with a calliper. The last 2 methods were both obtained from the arithmetic mean of 2 different pairs of calliper readings taken at right angles. The first pair was directed along the major bole axis and the other pair along the minor axis. The 4 methods were compared in terms of mean tree diameter, plot basal area and plot volume. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) in parameter estimates among methods, and the differences varied according to species (Acer saccharum Marsh. and Betula alleghaniensis Britt.) and tree size class. Differences among methods were more evident for larger DBH classes, which contribute most to the significant differences observed for both the plot and stand basal area and volume. Overall, tree DBH, plot basal area and plot volume provided by these 4 methods ranked in this ascending order: mean calliper reading directed along the minor axis, systematic calliper reading, mean calliper reading directed along the major axis, and diameter tape. The difference in stand basal area or volume between the estimates obtained with a systematic calliper reading and a diameter tape was 1.1 m2/ha with a mean basal area of about 21 m2/ha, or 10.5 m3/ha with a mean stand volume of 169 m3/ha. Because of the magnitude of these differences, it is recommended the method of DBH estimation be specified in studies, to be careful when crossing databases or models using different methods of DBH estimation, and to always maintain the same method of DBH estimation when remeasuring a plot. Key words: northern hardwoods, dendrometer, diameter tape, calliper, caliper, DBH measurement, basal area, volume


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