Estimating site productivity in irregular stand structures by indexing the basal area or volume increment of the dominant species

2014 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
John-Pascal Berrill ◽  
Kevin L. O’Hara
Keyword(s):  
Basal Area ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Site Productivity ◽  
Mixed Stands ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Coast Redwood ◽  
Stand Growth ◽  
Permanent Sample Plots ◽  
Partial Harvesting ◽  
Volume Increment

Estimating site productivity in irregular structures is complicated by variations in stand density, structure, composition in mixed stands, and suppression experienced by subordinate trees. Our objective was to develop an alternate to site index (SI) and demonstrate its application in models of individual-tree and stand growth. We analyzed coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens (Lamb. ex D. Don) Endl.) tree and stand growth in a grid of 234 permanent sample plots covering a 110 ha study area in north coastal California. Partial harvesting created a mosaic of densities and openings throughout the 60-year-old redwood-dominated forest. Redwood SI was a poor predictor of volume increment (VI) per hectare among redwood in each plot over two decades after harvest. A new index of redwood basal area increment (BAI) productivity, calculated using inventory data for all stems in even-aged stands and the oldest cohort of multiaged stands, was a stronger predictor of VI. Diameter increment of individual redwood trees correlated strongly with stand density and the new BAI index. Forest managers should expect widely divergent responses following partial harvesting in crowded even-aged stands, with the greatest response coming from dominant redwoods with long crowns retained in areas with low residual stand density and high BAI index.

scholarly journals Simulating Multiaged Coast Redwood Stand Development: Interactions between Regeneration, Structure, and Productivity

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
John-Pascal Berrill ◽  
Kevin L. O'Hara
Keyword(s):  
Stand Structure ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Stand Development ◽  
Area Index ◽  
Coast Redwood ◽  
Stand Growth ◽  
Upper Limit

Abstract Multiaged management regimes and harvesting scenarios were simulated in coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens [D. Don.] Endl.) stands using models of stand growth and yield (CRYPTOS) and stocking assessment (redwood MASAM). Various stocking and age-class combinations were modeled on site index 100 and 130 ft (50 years). Results demonstrated how the number of cohorts, upper limit of stocking, and cohort densities affected growth and yield. Board foot volume increment reached a plateau in stands with a prescribed upper limit of stocking above leaf area index 7.2 to 8.6. Productivity did not differ between stands with two to five cohorts producing the same tree size at harvest. It was affected by stand structure when a cutting cycle of 20 years was prescribed in stands with three to five cohorts. Stands with the same density returned to the upper limit of stocking much sooner on better sites. Prolonging the cutting cycle by reducing stand density resulted in larger tree sizes at harvest and greater productivity. The growth of trees remaining after cutting 10–50% of stand basal area and growth of new stump sprouts were also simulated. Stands quickly returned to preharvest stocking after light cutting, implying that heavy or frequent light cutting is needed to sustain growth and vigor of regeneration in multiaged coast redwood stands.

Long-Term Development of Regeneration Under Longleaf Pine Seedtree and Shelterwood Stands

1993 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
William D. Boyer
Keyword(s):  
Seed Production ◽  
Seedling Establishment ◽  
Longleaf Pine ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Pinus Palustris ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Distribution Characteristic ◽  
Volume Increment ◽  
Potential Impact

Abstract Well-stocked mature longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) stands were cut to five residual basal areas in 1957, namely 9, 18, 27, 36, and 45 ft² per ac, to observe the effect of stand density on seed production and seedling establishment. Seedlings, mainly from the 1955 or 1961seed crops, were established in treated stands. All pines on net 0.9 ac plots were remeasured in 1991 to determine the effect of residual pine density on development of the regeneration. Even the lightest residual overstory converted the structure of 29- to 35- yr-old ingrowth into the reverse-Jdiameter class distribution characteristic of uneven-aged stands. Four or six residual trees, now comprising 7 to 10 ft² basal area (ba)/ac, reduced ingrowth basal area to about half that of same-aged stands released from overstory competition. Merchantable volume of ingrowth under theselow residual densities averaged 40% of that in released stands. Mean annual per ac volume increment of ingrowth averaged 21 to 22 ft³ under the 9 ft² density but did not exceed 7 ft³ under any residual density above this. The potential impact of significant growth reductionsshould be taken into account when considering uneven-aged management methods for longleaf pine. South. J. Appl. For. 17(1):10-15.

scholarly journals Regional Height–Diameter Equations for Major Tree Species of Southwest Oregon

2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 213-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hailemariam Temesgen ◽  
David W. Hann ◽  
Vincente J. Monleon
Keyword(s):  
Relative Position ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Fit Statistics ◽  
Alternative Measures ◽  
Southwest Oregon ◽  
Accuracy Of Prediction

Abstract Selected tree height and diameter functions were evaluated for their predictive abilities for major tree species of southwest Oregon. Two sets of equations were evaluated. The first set included four base equations for estimating height as a function of individual tree diameter, and the remaining 16 equations enhanced the four base equations with alternative measures of stand density and relative position. The inclusion of the crown competition factor in larger trees (CCFL) and basal area (BA), which simultaneously indicates the relative position of a tree and stand density, into the base height–diameter equations increased the accuracy of prediction for all species. On the average, root mean square error values were reduced by 45 cm (15% improvement). On the basis of the residual plots and fit statistics, two equations are recommended for estimating tree heights for major tree species in southwest Oregon. The equation coefficients are documented for future use.

Individual-tree basal area growth models for jack pine and black spruce in northern Ontario

2004 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 366-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lianjun Zhang ◽  
Changhui Peng ◽  
Qinglai Dang
Keyword(s):  
Tree Growth ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Mixed Stands ◽  
Northern Ontario ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Basal Area Growth ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Area Growth

Individual-tree models of five-year basal area growth were developed for jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) and black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) in northern Ontario. Tree growth data were collected from long-term permanent plots of pure and mixed stands of the two species. The models were fitted using mixed model methods due to correlated remeasurements of tree growth over time. Since the data covered a wide range of stand ages, stand conditions and tree sizes, serious heterogeneous variances existed in the data. Therefore, the coefficients of the final models were obtained using weighted regression techniques. The models for the two species were evaluated across 4-cm diameter classes using independent data. The results indicated (1) the models of jack pine and black spruce produced similar prediction errors and biases for intermediate-sized trees (12–28 cm in tree diameter), (2) both models yielded relatively large errors and biases for larger trees (> 28 cm) than those for smaller trees, and (3) the jack pine model produced much larger errors and biases for small-sized trees (< 12 cm) than did the black spruce model. Key words: mixed models, repeated measures, model validation

scholarly journals Species Mixing Regulation with Respect to Forest Ecosystem Service Provision

Forests ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 632 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabian Schwaiger ◽  
Werner Poschenrieder ◽  
Peter Biber ◽  
Hans Pretzsch
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Groundwater Recharge ◽  
Ecosystem Service ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Stand Age ◽  
Mixed Stands

The control and maintenance of species composition of mixed stands is a highly relevant objective of forest management in order to provide multifunctionality and climatic resilience. In contrast to this requirement there is, however, an evident lack of quantitative methods for mixture regulation. In this context, we propose an approach for the regulation of mixture proportions that has been implemented in a forest management model. The approach considers species-specific growth characteristics and takes into account the mixing effect on stand density. We present five exemplary simulations that apply the regulation. Each simulation maintains one of five desired species compositions. In these simulations, we consider the species European beech and Norway spruce under good site conditions, thus representing the most prominent mixed stands in Central Europe. Based on this model experiment, we analyze the potential benefit of controlled mixing regulation for achieving desired levels and combinations of ecosystem service provision, in particular productivity, diversity, and groundwater recharge. We found that a constant 50% basal area share of beech (equivalent growing space share of 80% to 70% depending on stand age) provided the most balanced supply of ecosystem services. Prominently, groundwater recharge considerably decreased when beech basal area shares were held below 50%. We discuss the ecological and practical implications of the regulation approach and different mixing shares.

Comparing productivity of pure and mixed Douglas-fir and western hemlock plantations in the Pacific Northwest

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 1484-1496 ◽  
Author(s):  
M M Amoroso ◽  
E C Turnblom
Keyword(s):  
Pacific Northwest ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Tsuga Heterophylla ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Western Hemlock ◽  
Mixed Stand ◽  
Mixed Stands ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Increase In Productivity

We studied pure and 50/50 mixtures of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) plantations to compare attained total yields between mixed-species stands as opposed to monocultures of equal densities. Whether overall stand density influences this outcome has not been adequately investigated, and to address this we included three density levels (494, 1111, and 1729 trees/ha) in the analysis. At age 12, as components of the mixed stands, Douglas-fir exhibited greater height, diameter, and individual-tree volume than western hemlock at all densities. At 494 and 1111 trees/ha the monocultures had a higher volume per hectare than the mixed stand, but at 1729 trees/ha the mixed stand appeared to be just as productive as the pure stands. The increase in productivity by the mixture at high densities seems to have resulted from the partial stratification observed and most likely also from better use of the site resources. Because of this, less interspecific competition was probably experienced in the mixed stand than intraspecific competition in the pure stands. This study shows the important role density plays in the productivity of mixed stands and thus in comparing mixed and pure stands.

Biomass and growth of Populustremuloides in northeastern Alberta: estimates using hierarchy in tree size

1984 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 610-616 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. J. Lleffers ◽  
J. S. Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Basal Area ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Allometric Equation ◽  
Point Estimate ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Tree Biomass ◽  
Stand Growth ◽  
Single Tree ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Northeastern Alberta

Biomass and growth (productivity) of Populustremuloides Michx. was determined from 20 × 20 m plots in 39 even-aged stands in northeastern Alberta. The diameters of all trees were measured at a 1.3-m height. In each stand, the periodic annual basal area increment (1977–1981) of 10–16 sample trees was proportional to the square of the diameter of each tree. This relationship was used to estimate the change in diameter of each tree in the stand for the 5-year period. The current biomass and the biomass per tree 5 years earlier were determined from an allometric equation of tree biomass versus diameter. A point estimate of growth over the last 5 years was determined by the difference between these values. Stands ranged from 23 to 57 years old, aboveground biomass from 37 to 156 t ha−1, and current rates of production from 1.5 to 5.2 t ha−1 year−1. Single tree cumulative biomass and growth were highest in low density and older stands. Stand biomass was highest in older stands but showed no relationship to stand density. Stand growth was not related to age, but was higher in more dense stands. There was no detectable reduction in growth near an SO2 source in the study area.

Subalpine forest damage from a severe windstorm in northern Colorado

2001 ◽  
Vol 31 (12) ◽  
pp. 2089-2097 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas T Veblen ◽  
Dominik Kulakowski ◽  
Karen S Eisenhart ◽  
William L Baker
Keyword(s):  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Wind Damage ◽  
Forest Damage ◽  
Forest Composition ◽  
Subalpine Forest ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Northern Colorado ◽  
Standing Dead

As windstorm intensity increases above some threshold, disturbance spread and damage patterns are expected to be less strongly shaped by preblowdown forest composition and structure than by the pattern of the storm itself. We examined this generalization by analyzing differences in wind damage among tree species and stands following a severe blowdown in 1997 affecting over 10 000 ha of subalpine forest in the Routt Divide area of northern Colorado, U.S.A. Individual tree traits such as species, height, and status as standing dead or alive strongly influenced the amount and type (uprooting vs. snapping) of wind damage. Populus tremuloides Michx. exhibited much less uprooting and overall damage than the conifers. Among the canopy trees of the conifer species, Pinus contorta Dougl. ex. Loud and Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt. sustained the lowest and highest rates of snapping, respectively. Standing dead conifers were more likely to be snapped than uprooted, and taller trees were more likely to be damaged than shorter trees. Stand-level characteristics such as stand density, amount of dead basal area, and species composition were predictive of the amount of wind damage for areas of moderate- but not high-severity blowdown. Even in such an extreme windstorm as the Routt blowdown, which had estimated wind speeds of 200–250 km/h, individual tree attributes and stand-level characteristics significantly influenced the severity and type of wind damage.

scholarly journals Stand growth model using volume increment/basal area ratios

2008 ◽  
Vol 54 (No. 3) ◽  
pp. 102-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Martínez Pastur G ◽  
M. Cellini J ◽  
V. Lencinas M ◽  
L. Peri P
Keyword(s):  
Simple Model ◽  
Growth Models ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
Stand Age ◽  
Full Density ◽  
Nothofagus Pumilio ◽  
Stand Growth ◽  
Mean Error ◽  
Volume Increment

Estimation of stand growth is crucial for forest planning. Estimations were usually done using fixed values, and recently growth equations have been used. An alternative is through stand growth models. The objective was to develop a simple model for<I> Nothofagus pumilio</I> stands with full density along site quality and age gradients. The sample was obtained from 125 stands. Data on forest structure and samples for tree-ring measurement were taken in all trees to estimate growths using biometric models previously developed. The growth values of each plot during the last twenty years were calculated to fit the model, using the ratio of total volume increment/basal area as an independent variable. The developed model gives a ratio between stand volume increment and basal area (m/year) in relation to the site quality and stand age. The statistics (<I>r</I><sup>2</sup> = 0.819, mean error = 0.019, absolute mean error = 0.033), residual analysis and biological performance were satisfactory. The obtained stand growths varied between 1 and 20 m<sup>3</sup>/ha/year. This simple model allowed to estimate growth values at a stand level from easy field measurements from forest inventories.

Testing the Lake States variant of FVS (Forest Vegetation Simulator) for the main forest types of northern Ontario

2004 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 495-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Lacerte ◽  
G R Larocque ◽  
M. Woods ◽  
W J Parton ◽  
M. Penner
Keyword(s):  
Black Spruce ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Forest Vegetation ◽  
Forest Vegetation Simulator ◽  
Consistency Analysis ◽  
Northern Ontario ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Stand Basal Area

The Lake States variant of the FVS (Forest Vegetation Simulator) model (LS-FVS), also known as the LS-TWIGS variant of FVS, was validated for black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP), white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss), jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) and trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) forests in northern Ontario. Individual-tree data from 537 remeasured sample plots were used. This dataset included different combinations of site index, stand density and age. It was possible to compare observations and predictions for different projection length periods. The validation exercise included a biological consistency analysis, the computation of mean percent difference (MPD) for stand density, stand basal area, top height and quadratic mean diameter (QMD) and the comparison of observed and predicted individual-tree dbh. The biological consistency analysis indicated that LS-FVS logically predicted the effect of site index on top height, stand basal area and QMD for black spruce and jack pine. However, the decrease in stand basal area at young ages was inconsistent with the normal development pattern of the forest stands under study and was attributed to deficiencies in the prediction of mortality. LS-FVS was found to underpredict stand density, stand basal area and top height and to over-predict QMD. Even though there were large errors in the prediction of change in stand density, LS-FVS was nevertheless consistent in the prediction of the shape of the dbh size distribution. Key words: FVS, Forest Vegetation Simulator, validation, biological consistency analysis

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