Compatible taper function for Scots pine plantations in northwestern Spain

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 1190-1205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulises Diéguez-Aranda ◽  
Fernando Castedo-Dorado ◽  
Juan Gabriel Álvarez-González ◽  
Alberto Rojo
Keyword(s):  
Scots Pine ◽  
Model Development ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Stand Volume ◽  
Taper Function ◽  
Northwestern Spain ◽  
Volume Equation ◽  
Taper Equation ◽  
Volume Equations

A compatible system for estimation of individual tree volume was developed for Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in northwestern Spain. The system comprises a merchantable volume equation, a total volume equation, and a taper function. The use of the volume equation allows rapid estimation of tree volume, and stand volume by summing individual tree volumes, which is equal to the volume obtained by integrating the taper equation. The volume equation is very easy to use and is therefore preferred when classification of the products by merchantable sizes is not required. Data from 228 destructively sampled trees were used for model development. Fourteen compatible volume equations were evaluated, 13 of these equations were taken from the available literature, and the other was developed in the present study. A modified second-order continuous autoregressive error structure was used to correct the autocorrelation of the hierarchical data used. The model developed by Fang et al. (Z. Fang, B.E. Borders, and R.L. Bailey. 2000. For. Sci. 46: 1–12) best described the data. There model is therefore recommended for the estimation of diameter at a specific height, merchantable volume, and total volume of Scots pine stems in the area of study.

Variance reduction in Ueno's method and cylinder sampling for forest volume estimation

1995 ◽  
Vol 25 (11) ◽  
pp. 1783-1794 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas B. Lynch
Keyword(s):  
Computer Simulation ◽  
Variance Reduction ◽  
Volume Estimation ◽  
Critical Height ◽  
Volume Estimate ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Stand Volume ◽  
Reduction Techniques ◽  
Antithetic Variates ◽  
Volume Equation

Three basic techniques are proposed for reducing the variance of the stand volume estimate provided by cylinder sampling and Ueno's method. Ueno's method is based on critical height sampling but does not require measurement of critical heights. Instead, a count of trees whose critical heights are less than randomly generated heights is used to estimate stand volume. Cylinder sampling selects sample trees for which randomly generated heights fall within cylinders formed by tree heights and point sampling plot sizes. The methods proposed here for variance reduction in cylinder sampling and Ueno's method are antithetic variates, importance sampling, and control variates. Cylinder sampling without variance reduction was the most efficient of 12 methods compared in computer simulation that used estimated measurement times. However, cylinder sampling requires knowledge of a combined variable individual tree volume equation. Of the three variance reduction techniques applied to Ueno's method, antithetic variates performed best in computer simulation.

scholarly journals Taper, Volume, and Weight Equations for Red Pine in West Virginia

2008 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 151-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lichun Jiang ◽  
John R. Brooks
Keyword(s):  
West Virginia ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Red Pine ◽  
Seemingly Unrelated Regression ◽  
Stem Volume ◽  
West Virginia University ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Unrelated Regression ◽  
Taper Equation ◽  
Volume Equations

Abstract Compatible taper, volume, and weight equations were developed for planted red pine in West Virginia. The data were based on stem analysis of 26 trees from West Virginia University Research Forest, located in northern West Virginia. A commonly used segmented polynomial taper equation was chosen because of its balance between prediction accuracy and ease of use. Seemingly unrelated regression was used to simultaneously fit the system of equations for inside and outside bark data. When compared with existing total stem volume equations developed by Fowler (Fowler, G.W., 1997, Individual tree volume equations for red pine in Michigan, North. J. Appl. For. 14:53–58) and by Gilmore et al. (Gilmore, D.W., et al., 2005, Thinning red pine plantations and the Langsaeter hypothesis: A northern Minnesota case study. North, J. Appl. For. 22:19–25), a positive bias was evident that increased directly with stem diameter for trees from this region.

What factors should be accounted for when developing a generalized taper function for black wattle trees?

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (11) ◽  
pp. 1113-1123
Author(s):  
Mateus Niroh Inoue Sanquetta ◽  
John Paul McTague ◽  
Henrique Ferraço Scolforo ◽  
Alexandre Behling ◽  
Carlos Roberto Sanquetta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solid Wood ◽  
Auxiliary Variables ◽  
Stem Form ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Taper Function ◽  
Black Wattle ◽  
Taper Equation ◽  
Total Tree ◽  
Mixed Effect Modeling

Taper functions have been widely used for various purposes. Several functions were developed and successfully applied; however, most of these functions fail to account for the influence of stand-level and individual-tree effects of variation on the stem profile. Hence, we aimed in this study to assess how these factors influence the stem profile of black wattle (Acacia mearnsii De Wild.) trees in southern Brazil. There is a notable necessity for developing a domestic market for black wattle solid wood. The database was composed of 218 black wattle trees at age 10 years distributed across the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. A dimensionally compatible taper equation combined with the mixed-effect modeling approach was used. Additionally, auxiliary variables were included to build a generalized taper function that explains stem form variations. In general, all variables showed a significant influence on the stem profile, except the crown ratio. The inclusion of relative spacing and tree hierarchical position in the taper function resulted in higher accuracy when estimating stem diameters and total tree volume. This study indicates that accounting for attributes at the stand and individual-tree levels may improve stem profile predictions, as well as the biological soundness of the taper function.

scholarly journals Individual Tree Crown Segmentation and Classification of 13 Tree Species Using Airborne Hyperspectral Data

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Maschler ◽  
Clement Atzberger ◽  
Markus Immitzer
Keyword(s):  
Random Forest ◽  
Scots Pine ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Mean Shift ◽  
Hyperspectral Data ◽  
Tree Crown ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Tree Crowns

Knowledge of the distribution of tree species within a forest is key for multiple economic and ecological applications. This information is traditionally acquired through time-consuming and thereby expensive field work. Our study evaluates the suitability of a visible to near-infrared (VNIR) hyperspectral dataset with a spatial resolution of 0.4 m for the classification of 13 tree species (8 broadleaf, 5 coniferous) on an individual tree crown level in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve ‘Wienerwald’, a temperate Austrian forest. The study also assesses the automation potential for the delineation of tree crowns using a mean shift segmentation algorithm in order to permit model application over large areas. Object-based Random Forest classification was carried out on variables that were derived from 699 manually delineated as well as automatically segmented reference trees. The models were trained separately for two strata: small and/or conifer stands and high broadleaf forests. The two strata were delineated beforehand using CHM-based tree height and NDVI. The predictor variables encompassed spectral reflectance, vegetation indices, textural metrics and principal components. After feature selection, the overall classification accuracy (OA) of the classification based on manual delineations of the 13 tree species was 91.7% (Cohen’s kappa (κ) = 0.909). The highest user’s and producer’s accuracies were most frequently obtained for Weymouth pine and Scots Pine, while European ash was most often associated with the lowest accuracies. The classification that was based on mean shift segmentation yielded similarly good results (OA = 89.4% κ = 0.883). Based on the automatically segmented trees, the Random Forest models were also applied to the whole study site (1050 ha). The resulting tree map of the study area confirmed a high abundance of European beech (58%) with smaller amounts of oak (6%) and Scots pine (5%). We conclude that highly accurate tree species classifications can be obtained from hyperspectral data covering the visible and near-infrared parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. Our results also indicate a high automation potential of the method, as the results from the automatically segmented tree crowns were similar to those that were obtained for the manually delineated tree crowns.

Stand volume estimation from tree counts in the context of vertical line sampling

1990 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 274-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas B. Lynch
Keyword(s):  
Volume Estimation ◽  
Vertical Line ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Stand Volume ◽  
Variable Volume ◽  
Sample Tree ◽  
Line Sampling ◽  
Constant Form ◽  
Volume Equation ◽  
Line Sample

Stand volume estimators are developed in the context of vertical line sampling that depend on counts of sample trees only, rather than on measurements of sample tree dimensions. These estimators are based on three commonly used individual tree volume equations: the constant form factor volume equation, the combined variable volume equation with negative intercept, and the combined variable volume equation with positive intercept. Fieldwork for each of the estimators involves comparison of the squared dbh's of trees that would qualify for selection in an ordinary vertical line sample with numbers chosen randomly from the interval bounded by zero and a fixed maximum squared dbh. Two of the estimators choose sample trees with probability exactly proportional to an individual tree volume equation.

Simultaneous total and merchantable volume equations and a compatible taper function for loblolly pine

1987 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
John P. McTague ◽  
Robert L. Bailey
Keyword(s):  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Forest Products Industry ◽  
Santa Catarina ◽  
Breast Height ◽  
Taper Function ◽  
Volume Equation ◽  
Volume Equations ◽  
Special Case

Loblolly pine (Pinustaeda L.) is an important source of raw material for the forest products industry of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Data from 159 trees were used to develop a simultaneously estimated total and merchantable volume equation, which treats total volume as a special case of merchantable volume with Dm, the diameter limit, equal to zero. By imposing a restriction on the parameters of the total and merchantable volume equation, a compatible taper function was derived that predicts diameter at breast height when merchantable height equals 1.3 m. The taper function possesses an analytic point of inflection in the lower portion of the stem.

An Equation for Estimating Total Volume of Both Stands and Single Trees of Black Spruce

1983 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Evert
Keyword(s):  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Direct Reference ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Stand Volume ◽  
Volume Equation ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Individual Trees

A stand volume equation is presented for black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.)B.S.P.), based on a sample of 785 felled trees. To ensure that the equation will provide accurate estimates of the volume of both variously stocked stands and of individual trees, stand volume was expressed as the sum of individual tree volumes without direct reference to the size of the area that the trees occupy. The equation will reduce the problem of forecasting stand volume to the simpler problem of forecasting separately the individual components in the stand-volume equation.

scholarly journals Modeling taper and volume of Sal (Shorea robusta Gaertn. f.) trees in the western Terai region of Nepal

2018 ◽  
pp. 76-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Silwal ◽  
S. K. Baral ◽  
B. B. K. Chhetri
Keyword(s):  
Stem Volume ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Response Variable ◽  
Shorea Robusta ◽  
Stem Taper ◽  
Taper Function ◽  
Commercially Important ◽  
Volume Equation ◽  
Crown Characteristics ◽  
Taper Equations

Volume and taper equations are used for estimating timber volume and biomass of a tree. Despite their usefulness, precise and site specific equations are still lacking for commercially important tree species in Nepal. The study was carried out at Chandak Chatiya Mahila Community Forest in Bardia district and Lumbini Collaborative Forest of Saljhandi in Rupandehi district in western Terai of Nepal. A destructive sampling method was used and selected fifteen Sal trees (Shorea robusta Gaertn. f.) from Saljhandi (site 1) and eighteen trees from Bagnaha (site 2) randomly to calibrate an individual tree volume and a stem taper function. At first, a non-linear stem taper function was calibrated using stem diameters outside bark at different heights above ground as response variable and D (diameter at breast height), H (total height), h (height of interest) as predictors. Then, effect of crown characteristics on stem taper was evaluated. As stem HCB (height to crown base) was found to affect stem taper, its usefulness in existing stem volume equation was tested. Empirical relationships between V (stem volume) as a response variable and D, H, HCB and sites in Bardia and Rupandehi districts as predictors were established using a linear mixed modeling approach. Our result showed that, instead of H, use of HCB in stem volume equation increased model prediction accuracy and reduced prediction bias. Applicability of the suggested models for predicting individual S. robusta tree volume and stem taper is discussed. Banko JanakariA Journal of Forestry Information for Nepal Special Issue No. 4, 2018, Page: 76-83

New Form-class Equations Improve Volume Estimates

1973 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 338-341
Author(s):  
F. Evert
Keyword(s):  
Ground Level ◽  
Red Pine ◽  
Stem Diameter ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Stand Volume ◽  
Above Ground Level ◽  
Form Class ◽  
New Form ◽  
Volume Estimates ◽  
Volume Equations

Three form-class volume equations involving the upper stem diameter at 19.5 ft (5.94 m) above ground level and three standard volume equations based on d.b.h. and height were tested for accuracy in estimating both tree and stand volume in different stands of red pine (Pinusresinosa Ait.). All three form-class equations met the required 10% accuracy in estimating individual tree volumes; the three standard volume equations failed to meet this accuracy. All three form-class equations also met the required 5% accuracy in estimating stand volume, but none of the standard equations did.

Use of Taper Curve Solved by an Algebraic Method in Silvicultural Research

1986 ◽  
Vol 62 (6) ◽  
pp. 529-532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillaime Thérien ◽  
Claude Camiré
Keyword(s):  
Spline Function ◽  
Algebraic Method ◽  
Solution Model ◽  
Algebraic Solution ◽  
Silvicultural Treatments ◽  
Volume Equation ◽  
Taper Equation ◽  
Taper Equations ◽  
Cubic Spline Function ◽  
Volume Equations

Taper equations are commonly used to predict the bole shape and to calculate its volume. In this study, a new algebraic solution model is proposed for research purposes. This model was found to be as accurate as cubic spline function and simple to use. It would be particularly appropriate for research on stand reactions after silvicultural treatments. The study also evaluated compatible volume equations. The required accuracy can be obtained only with a volume equation taking into account a form class coefficient. Key words: balsam fir, taper equation, volume equation, algebraic solution model

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