Modeling of tree height–diameter relationships in the Atlantic Forest: effect of forest type on tree allometry

Tree height is one of the most important variables for quantitative assessment of forest stocks, but it is difficult to directly measure. Such allometric relationships of trees can vary between geographical regions, however, mainly due to climatic, edaphic, and floristic gradients. Based on the hypothesis that different forest types influence the generic modeling of tree height–diameter relationships on geographical scales, this study aimed to (i) fit equations to estimate tree height in Atlantic Forest types in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; (ii) compare efficiency and precision between generic and specific equations for forest types; and (iii) test the effect of different forest types and species on the height–diameter relationship. Four allometric models were tested for all forests (generic) and three main forest types (specific). Effects of tree size, forest types, and species on tree height estimation were analyzed using multiple linear models and mixed-effect linear models. A significant effect of forest type and species on tree height was seen, showing the need to apply local specific equations to minimize the effects that are not captured by generic equations. Differences in tree allometry between forest types were associated with temperature, rainfall, soil, and forest structure. These results confirm the effect of the local environment on the height–diameter relationship of trees as found over large scales in tropical forests.

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Indirect Estimation of Structural Parameters in South African Forests Using MISR-HR and LiDAR Remote Sensing Data

Remote Sensing ◽

10.3390/rs10101537 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 1537 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Precious Mahlangu ◽

Renaud Mathieu ◽

Konrad Wessels ◽

Laven Naidoo ◽

Michel Verstraete ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Land Surface ◽

Sustainable Forest Management ◽

Forest Type ◽

Structural Parameters ◽

Remote Sensing Data ◽

Tree Height ◽

Structural Data ◽

Airborne Lidar ◽

Band Model ◽

Forest Types

Forest structural data are essential for assessing biophysical processes and changes, and promoting sustainable forest management. For 18+ years, the Multi-Angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) instrument has been observing the land surface reflectance anisotropy, which is known to be related to vegetation structure. This study sought to determine the performance of a new MISR-High Resolution (HR) dataset, recently produced at a full 275 m spatial resolution, and consisting of 36 Bidirectional Reflectance Factors (BRF) and 12 Rahman–Pinty–Verstraete (RPV) parameters, to estimate the mean tree height (Hmean) and canopy cover (CC) across structurally diverse, heterogeneous, and fragmented forest types in South Africa. Airborne LiDAR data were used to train and validate Random Forest models which were tested across various MISR-HR scenarios. The combination of MISR multi-angular and multispectral data was consistently effective in improving the estimation of structural parameters, and produced the lowest relative root mean square error (rRMSE) (33.14% and 38.58%), for Hmean and CC respectively. The combined RPV parameters for all four bands yielded the best results in comparison to the models of the RPV parameters separately: Hmean (R2 = 0.71, rRMSE = 34.84%) and CC (R2 = 0.60, rRMSE = 40.96%). However, the combined RPV parameters for all four bands in comparison to the MISR-HR BRF 36 band model it performed poorer (rRMSE of 5.1% and 6.2% higher for Hmean and CC, respectively). When considered separately, savanna forest type had greater improvement when adding multi-angular data, with the highest accuracies obtained for the Hmean parameter (R2 of 0.67, rRMSE of 31.28%). The findings demonstrate the potential of the optical multi-spectral and multi-directional newly processed data (MISR-HR) for estimating forest structure across Southern African forest types.

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Height-Diameter Allometry for Tree Species in Tanzania Mainland

International Journal of Forestry Research ◽

10.1155/2019/4832849 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-17 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

W. A. Mugasha ◽

E. W. Mauya ◽

A. M. Njana ◽

K. Karlsson ◽

R. E. Malimbwi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Forest Structure ◽

Forest Type ◽

Model Development ◽

Basal Area ◽

Tree Height ◽

Forest Stand ◽

Miombo Woodlands ◽

Mixed Effect ◽

Nonlinear Mixed Effect ◽

Stand Attributes

Total tree height (H) and diameter at beast height (D) are important independent variables in predicting volume, biomass, and other forest stand attributes. However, unlikeDmeasurement, which is easy to measure with high accuracy,Hmeasurement is laborious. This study, therefore, developedH-Drelationships for ten different forest types in Tanzania Mainland. Extents in which climate and forest stand variables explain the variation inH-Dallometry were also assessed. A total of 31782 sample trees covering miombo woodlands, humid montane, lowland forests, bushlands, grasslands, mangroves, cultivated land, wetlands forests, and pines andEucalyptusspecies plantations were used for model development. TheHestimating model without climate and forest stand variables referred herein as “base model” was first developed followed by “generalized model” which included climate and stand variables. All the data were fitted using nonlinear mixed effect modelling approach. Results indicated that generalizedHestimating models had better fit than the base models. We therefore confirm a significant contribution of climate and forest structure variables in improvingH-Dallometry. Among the forest structure variables, basal area (BA) was far more important explanatory variable than other variables. In addition, it was found that the mean treeHtends to increase with the increase of mean precipitation (PRA). We therefore conclude that forest specific generalizedHmodel is to be applied when predictingH. When forest type information is not available, generalized regional model may be applied. Base model may be applied when forest stand or climate information are missing.

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Integrating climate, soil and stand structure into allometric models: An approach of site-effects on tree allometry in Atlantic Forest

Ecological Indicators ◽

10.1016/j.ecolind.2021.107794 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 127 ◽

pp. 107794

Author(s):

Vinicius Costa Cysneiros ◽

Fernanda Coelho de Souza ◽

Tatiana Dias Gaui ◽

Allan Libanio Pelissari ◽

Gabriel Agostini Orso ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atlantic Forest ◽

Site Effects ◽

Stand Structure ◽

Tree Allometry ◽

Allometric Models

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HEIGHT-DIAMETER MODELS FOR THREE SUBTROPICAL FOREST TYPES IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL

Ciência e Agrotecnologia ◽

10.1590/s1413-70542015000300001 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 39 (3) ◽

pp. 205-215 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Alexander Christian Vibrans ◽

Paolo Moser ◽

Laio Zimermann Oliveira ◽

João Paulo de Maçaneiro

Keyword(s):

Deciduous Forest ◽

Tree Height ◽

Information Criterion ◽

Confidence Bands ◽

Natural Forests ◽

Forest Types ◽

Model Quality ◽

Statistical Parameters ◽

Santa Catarina ◽

Ombrophilous Forest

Total tree height (h) is often difficult to measure in natural forests. Regression models based on easily accessed variables like DBH (d) can be an alternative, since their assumptions are validated. The aims of this study are to: (i) calibrate specific and generic h-d models for three forest types (Seasonal Deciduous Forest, DEC; Mixed Ombrophilous Forest, MIX; and Dense Rainforest, DEN) in Santa Catarina state testing the regression assumptions and evaluating model quality; (ii) verify different h-d relationship between forest types. The dataset (1,766 measured tree h and 3,150 estimated h) was collected by Santa Catarina Forest and Floristic Inventory (IFFSC) in 418 systematically located sample plots. Models were calibrated for two datasets, one containing hypsometer measurements, the other h estimations made by field crews. Specific models were calibrated for species with at least 30 sampled trees. Residual normality, randomness and heteroskedasticity were evaluated by analytical methods. Confidence bands were generated by the Working-Hotelling method; z test for means was applied to compare models based on the two databases. The statistical parameters such as corrected Akaike Information Criterion provided evidences that logarithmic models were better adjusted to the data. Both datasets were statistically different for DEN and MIX. Differences in h-d relationships were found between forest types. The use of calibrated h-d models is an alternative for studying the relationships between these variables and to assess vertical structure patterns of forest communities, when h measurements are not feasible, although, for situations that more accurate h values are needed, they will not always provide reliable predictions.

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Modeliranje višinske in debelinske rasti dominantnih dreves ter ocenjevanje indeksov produkcijske sposobnosti gozdnih rastišč

Acta Silvae et Ligni ◽

10.20315/asetl.125.1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 125 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Andrej Bončina ◽

Vasilije Trifković ◽

Živa Bončina

Keyword(s):

Growth Models ◽

Tree Height ◽

European Beech ◽

Productivity Index ◽

Silver Fir ◽

Forest Types ◽

Site Productivity ◽

Beech Forests ◽

Sessile Oak ◽

Diameter Increment

Modeling the height and diameter growth of trees is an important part of forest management. Growth models provide the basis for determining the thinning regime, target tree dimensions and optimal proportions of developmental phases of forest stands. We developed individual height growth models for dominant Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in two forest types (sessile oak-European beech forests and pre-Alpine silver fir-European beech forests). Based on the models, the site productivity index (SPI), defined as the dominant tree height at a diameter of 45 cm, was determined for spruce and beech in both forest types. Based on the diameter increment of the dominant trees, the age of trees in regard to their diameter was calculated, which was the basis for Height-Age modeling. The site productivity index (SPI) of spruce in sessile oak-beech forests and pre-Alpine silver fir-European beech forests is higher than that of beech: 31.3 and 29.7 vs 28.7 and 27.9, respectively. Estimated site indices (SI; dominant tree height at the age of 100 years) in sessile oak- European beech forests and pre-Alpine silver fir-European beech forests were 33.4 and 32.0 for spruce, and 29.0 and 27.0 for beech, respectively. Using the described procedure, it is possible to determine indices of site productivity of spruce and beech (SI and SPI) in the selected forest habitat types. Testing the procedure in other forest types and for other tree species is suggested.

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Direct and indirect effects of environmental limitations on white spruce xylem anatomy at treeline

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-15323 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Timo Pampuch ◽

Mario Trouillier ◽

Alba Anadon-Rosell ◽

Jelena Lange ◽

Martin Wilmking

Keyword(s):

Tree Growth ◽

Environmental Conditions ◽

Indirect Effects ◽

Tree Height ◽

White Spruce ◽

Vegetation Period ◽

Lumen Diameter ◽

Xylem Anatomy ◽

Direct And Indirect Effects ◽

Mixed Effect

Treeline ecosystems are of great scientific interest to study the direct and indirect influence of limiting environmental conditions on tree growth. However, tree growth is complex and multidimensional, and its responses to the environment depend on a large number of abiotic and biotic factors and their interactions.In this study, we analyze the growth and xylem anatomy of white spruce trees (Picea glauca [Moench] Voss) from three treelines in Alaska (one warm and drought-limited, and two cold and temperature-limited treelines). We hypothesized (1) no difference between the treelines regarding the relationship between tree DBH and height, yet in general (2) faster growing trees at the warmer site. Additionally, we expected to find differences in xylem anatomical traits with trees from the drought-limited site having adapted to drought conditions by (3) forming smaller lumen diameter due to water deficit but (4) a higher xylem anatomical density due to higher temperatures and a longer vegetation period.Regarding growth in height and diameter, trees at the drought-limited treeline grew relatively (1) taller and (2) faster compared to trees at the temperature-limited treelines. Raw xylem anatomical measurements showed (3) smaller lumen diameters and (4) higher density in trees at the drought-limited treeline. However, using linear mixed-effect models, we found that (i) traits related to water transport like lumen diameter were not significantly correlated with the actual amount of precipitation during the vegetation period but with tree height. We also found that (ii) traits related to mechanical support like density were mainly positively influenced by the mean temperature during the vegetation period.The differences in lumen diameter found in the raw data can be explained by differences in the growth rates of the trees, since lumen diameter at the lower part of the tree stem needs to increase over time with increasing tree height. The greater wood density at the drought-limited treeline is probably caused by the higher temperature that leads to more biomass production, and potentially longer vegetation periods.Our study shows that xylem anatomical traits in white spruce can be directly and indirectly controlled by environmental conditions. While lumen diameter is not directly influenced by environmental conditions but indirectly through tree height, other traits like anatomical density show a direct correlation with environmental conditions. Our results highlight the importance of approaching tree growth in a multidimensional way and considering direct and indirect effects of environmental forcing.

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The woody flora of Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary, central Western Ghats of Karnataka, India - A checklist

Journal of Threatened Taxa ◽

10.11609/jott.7239.13.13.20033-20055 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (13) ◽

pp. 20033-20055

Author(s):

Naveen Babu Kanda ◽

Kurian Ayushi ◽

Vincy K. Wilson ◽

Narayanan Ayyappan ◽

Narayanaswamy Parthasarathy

Keyword(s):

Western Ghats ◽

Forest Cover ◽

Forest Type ◽

Human Impacts ◽

Forest Types ◽

Wildlife Sanctuary ◽

Peninsular India ◽

Ecological Features ◽

Central Western Ghats ◽

The Western Ghats

Documenting the biodiversity of protected areas and reserve forests is important to researchers, academicians and forest departments in their efforts to establish policies to protect regional biodiversity. Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary (SWS) is an important protected area located in the central Western Ghats of Karnataka state known for its diverse flora and fauna with distinct ecological features. For the last four decades the sanctuary has witnessed the loss of forest cover, yet the vegetation in few locations is relatively undisturbed. The current inventory was undertaken during 2019–2020 to provide a checklist of woody species from SWS under-researched earlier. The list comprises 269 species of trees, lianas and shrubs distributed in 207 genera and 68 families. The most diverse families are Fabaceae, Moraceae, Rubiaceae, Rutaceae, Lauraceae, Apocynaceae, Meliaceae, Malvaceae, Phyllanthaceae, and Anacardiaceae, representing 48% of total woody flora. The sanctuary shelters 263 native and six exotic plant species. Thirty-nine species were endemic to the Western Ghats, five species to peninsular India and one species to the Western Ghats and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Four forest types, i.e., dry deciduous, moist deciduous, semi-evergreen, and evergreen forests, are represented in the sanctuary. Of the total species, only seven occurred in all forest types, while 111 species are exclusive to a single forest type. One-hundred-and-four taxa were assessed for the International Union for Conservation of Nature & Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List. Ten species that fall under Near Threatened, Vulnerable, and Endangered categories were encountered occasionally. The baseline data generated on plant diversity will be useful in highlighting the importance of these forests for species conservation and forest management. Such data form a cornerstone for further research. For instance, to understand the effect of invasive species and human impacts on the diversity of the region.

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Habitat Use by Arboreal Mammals along an Environment Gradient in North-eastern Victoria

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr9910125 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 125 ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Author(s):

AF Bennett ◽

LF Lumsden ◽

JSA Alexander ◽

PE Duncan ◽

PG Johnson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Habitat Use ◽

Environmental Gradient ◽

Forest Type ◽

High Elevation ◽

Annual Rainfall ◽

Distributional Pattern ◽

Forest Types ◽

Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽

North Eastern ◽

Arboreal Mammal

A total of 1487 observations of nine species of arboreal mammal, Acrobates pygmaeus, Phascolarctos cinereus, Petauroides volans, Petaurus australis, P. breviceps, P. norfolcensis, Pseudocheirusperegrinus, Trichosurus caninus and T. vulpecula, were made during surveys of the vertebrate fauna of northeastern Victoria. Habitat use by each species was examined in relation to eight forest types that occur along an environmental gradient ranging from sites at high elevation with a high annual rainfall, to sites on the dry inland and riverine plains. Arboreal mammals were not evenly distributed between forest types. Three species (P. australis, P. volans and T. caninus) were mainly associated with moist tall forests; two species (P. norfolcensis and T. vulpecula) were primarily associated with drier forests and woodlands of the foothills; the remaining three species (A. pygmaeus, P. breviceps and P. peregrinus) occurred widely throughout the forests. The composition of the arboreal mammal assemblage changed along the environmental gradient, but species displayed gradual changes in abundance with forest type rather than marked discontinuities in distributional pattern. The highest overall frequencies of occurrence of arboreal mammals were in forests typically dominated by a mixture of eucalypt species. The position at first sighting of an animal, and the relative height in the forest stratum, were used to describe the micro-habitats utilised. In general, the microhabitats occupied by each species are consistent with the distribution of their known food resources.

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Characterizing Canopy Openness Across Large Forested Landscapes Using Spherical Densiometer and Smartphone Hemispherical Photography

Journal of Forestry ◽

10.1093/jofore/fvab046 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Katie L Beeles ◽

Jordon C Tourville ◽

Martin Dovciak

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Large Range ◽

Forest Type ◽

High Elevation ◽

Canopy Openness ◽

Hemispherical Photography ◽

Forest Types ◽

Northeastern United States ◽

Closed Canopy ◽

The Right

Abstract Canopy openness is an important forest characteristic related to understory light environment and productivity. Although many methods exist to estimate canopy openness, comparisons of their performance tend to focus on relatively narrow ranges of canopy conditions and forest types. To address this gap, we compared two popular approaches for estimating canopy openness, traditional spherical densiometer and modern smartphone hemispherical photography, across a large range of canopy conditions (from closed canopy to large gaps) and forest types (from low-elevation broadleaf to high-elevation conifer forests) across four states in the northeastern United States. We took 988 field canopy openness measurements (494 per instrument) and compared them across canopy conditions using linear regression and t-tests. The extensive replication allowed us to quantify differences between the methods that may otherwise go unnoticed. Relative to the densiometer, smartphone photography overestimated low canopy openness (<10%) but it underestimated higher canopy openness (>10%), regardless of forest type. Study Implications We compared two popular ways of measuring canopy openness (smartphone hemispherical photography and spherical densiometer) across a large range of forest structures encountered in the northeastern United States. We found that, when carefully applied, the traditional spherical densiometer can characterize canopy openness across diverse canopy conditions (including closed canopies) as effectively as modern smartphone canopy photography. Although smartphone photography reduced field measurement time and complexity, it was more susceptible to weather than the densiometer. Although selection of the right method depends on study objectives, we provide a calibration for these two popular methods across diverse canopies.

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Invasive alien palm Pinanga coronata threatens native tree ferns in an oceanic island rainforest

Australian Journal of Botany ◽

10.1071/bt18088 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 66 (8) ◽

pp. 647 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Michael J. B. Dyer ◽

Gunnar Keppel ◽

Marika Tuiwawa ◽

Sainivalati Vido ◽

Hans Juergen Boehmer

Keyword(s):

Linear Models ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Ornamental Plants ◽

Native Plant ◽

Ecological Processes ◽

Mixed Effect ◽

Mixed Effect Models ◽

Tree Ferns ◽

Native Tree ◽

Negative Impacts

Invasive ornamental plants are a global problem that can have severe impacts on native biodiversity, especially on islands. To determine whether the invasive, ornamental ivory-cane palm Pinanga coronata could be displacing native biodiversity, we investigated its co-distribution with native tree ferns in a Fijian rainforest. We recorded the abundances of P. coronata and tree ferns and related these to environmental variables using linear models and generalised linear mixed-effect models (GLMMs). Distance to an introduction site was the most significant factor predicting the palm’s distribution and abundance, suggesting that its current distribution is limited by insufficient time for wider dispersal. P. coronata cover was strongly and negatively related with the abundance of native tree ferns and the palm may therefore be displacing native tree ferns. This relationship was strongest with tree fern seedlings and weakest with mature tree ferns, implying that the palm is preventing the establishment of native tree ferns. This study thus provides strong circumstantial evidence that P. coronata is progressively displacing native tree ferns by preventing seedling establishment and poses a severe threat to Fiji’s native biodiversity and ecological processes. Therefore, urgent management is required to control and prevent the further spread of P. coronata and its negative impacts on native plant biodiversity. Management should involve an initial feasibility study to determine the effectiveness of various management strategies, followed by targeted control and/or eradication campaigns and long-term monitoring. Ultimately, well implemented legislation to prevent the spread and introduction of P. coronata and other ornamental plants will be crucial to protect native biodiversity in Fiji and elsewhere.

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