Suitability of two methods of evaluating site quality for sugar maple in central Ontario

2006 ◽  
Vol 82 (5) ◽  
pp. 733-744 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas J Buda ◽  
Jian R Wang
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Quality Evaluation ◽  
Growth Models ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
Dominant Height ◽  
Index Site ◽  
Species Mixture ◽  
Stand Conditions

Stem analyses data collected in central Ontario stands were used to develop site index (height and age) and site form (height and diameter) models and curves for sugar maple. The suitability of both methods for evaluating sugar maple site productivity was examined. Two different equation forms were evaluated for both site index and site form models. A common modification of Richard's (1959) equation was most suitable for predicting dominant height at index age (site index) and reference diameter (site form). Potential effects of species mixture on sugar maple site index were examined. We found no significant effects on sugar maple height growth and site index in mixed stand conditions common in the region when compared to pure stands. The potential of site form as an alternative to site index was investigated through correlation analyses with site index and other site variables known to influence sugar maple height growth. Site form was not related to site index, nor any site variables related to sugar maple height growth. It is therefore inadequate for evaluating sugar maple site quality. We recommend height growth models and site index curves developed in this study be used to replace those from other regions currently used in central Ontario. Key words: site index, site form, sugar maple, site quality evaluation, mixedwood, uneven-aged

scholarly journals A Novel Approach to Modelling Stand-Level Growth of an Even-Aged Forest Using a Volume Productivity Index with Application to New Zealand-Grown Coast Redwood

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 1155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark O. Kimberley ◽  
Michael S. Watt
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Growth Model ◽  
Growth Models ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Productivity Index ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variation ◽  
Coast Redwood

Empirical growth models are widely used to predict the growth and yield of plantation tree species, and the precise estimation of site quality is an important component of these models. The most commonly used proxy for site quality in growth models is Site Index (SI), which describes the mean height of dominant trees at a specified base age. Although SI is widely used, considerable research shows significant site-dependent variation in height for a given volume, with this latter variable more closely reflecting actual site productivity. Using a national dataset, this study develops and describes a stand-level growth and yield model for even-aged New Zealand-grown coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens). We used a novel modelling approach that quantifies site quality using SI and a volume-based index termed the 300 Index, defined as the volume mean annual increment at age 30 years for a reference regime of 300 stems ha−1. The growth model includes a number of interrelated components. Mean top height is modelled from age and SI using a polymorphic Korf function. A modified anamorphic Korf function is used to describe tree quadratic mean diameter (Dq) as a function of age, stand density, SI and a diameter site index. As the Dq model includes stand density in its formulation, it can predict tree growth for different stand densities and thinning regimes. The mortality model is based on a simple attritional equation improved through incorporation of the Reineke stand density index to account for competition-induced mortality. Using these components, the model precisely estimates stand-level volume. The developed model will be of considerable value to growers for yield projection and regime evaluation. By more robustly describing the site effect, the growth model provides researchers with an improved framework for quantifying and understanding the causes of spatial and temporal variation in plantation productivity.

Growth Intercept Methods for Predicting Site Index in Red Pine Plantations in the Allegheny Plateau of Ohio

1990 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
James H. Brown ◽  
Charles A. Duncan
Keyword(s):  
Site Index ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Red Pine ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
Soil Horizon ◽  
Old Field ◽  
Annual Increment ◽  
Breast Height ◽  
Allegheny Plateau ◽  
Growth Intercept

Abstract Growth intercept (GI) techniques were evaluated for estimating site quality in red pine stands planted on old-field sites in the unglaciated Western and Central Allegheny Plateau regions of Ohio. Correlations between height growth of trees below breast height (BH) and height growth above BH were not statistically significant. Site index estimates were made using age at BH and height from BH to the growing tip. Three-year and 5-year growth beginning three internodes above the BH annual increment and 10-year growth beginning one internode above BH were more significantly correlated with height than were intercepts beginning at BH. In equations developed for predicting site index, 3-, 5-, and 10-year intercepts in combination with age accounted for 64 to 80% of the variation in tree heights. Combining thickness of the A soil horizon with GI and age statistically increased the variation accounted for in the 3- and 5-year GI equations; however, for field use, the improvement in accuracy was not sufficient to justify making the additional soil measurement. North. J. Appl. For. 7(1):27-30, March 1990.

scholarly journals Proposals for Nothofagus antarctica diameter growth estimation: simple vs. global models

2014 ◽  
Vol 60 (No. 8) ◽  
pp. 307-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Ivancich ◽  
G.J. Martínez Pastur ◽  
M.V. Lencinas ◽  
J.M. Cellini ◽  
P.L. Peri
Keyword(s):  
Tree Growth ◽  
Growth Models ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
Diameter Growth ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Nothofagus Antarctica ◽  
Simple Growth ◽  
Simple Equations ◽  
Diameter Growth Models ◽  
Stand Conditions

Tree growth is one of the main variables needed for forest management planning. The use of simple models containing traditional equations to describe tree growth is common. However, equations that incorporate different factors (e.g. site quality of the stands, crown classes of the trees, silvicultural treatments) may improve their accuracy in a wide range of stand conditions. The aim of this work was to compare the accuracy of tree diameter growth models using (i) a family of simple equations adjusted by stand site quality and crown class of trees, and (ii) <br /> a unique global equation including stand and individual tree variables. Samplings were conducted in 136 natural even-aged Nothofagus antarctica (Forster f.) Oersted stands in Southern Patagonia (Argentina) covering age (20&ndash;200 years), <br /> crown class and site quality gradients. The following diameter growth models were fitted: 16 simple equations using two independent variables (age and one equation for each stand site quality or crown class) based on Richards model, plus a unique global equation using three independent variables (age, stand site quality and crown class). Simple equations showed higher variability in their accuracy, explained between 54% and 92% of the data variation. The global model presented similar accuracy like the better equations of the simple growth models. The unification of the simple growth models into a unique global equation did not greatly improve the accuracy of estimations, but positively influenced the biological response of the model. Another advantage of the global equation is the simple use under a wide range of natural stand conditions. The proposed global model allows to explain the tree growth of N. antarctica trees along the natural studied gradients. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Polymorphic site index curves for jack pine in Northern Ontario

2001 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willard H. Carmean ◽  
G. Hazenberg ◽  
G. P. Niznowski
Keyword(s):  
Analysis Data ◽  
Site Index ◽  
The United States ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
Northern Ontario ◽  
Breast Height ◽  
The North

Stem-analysis data from dominant and codominant trees were collected from 383 plots located in fully stocked, even-aged, undisturbed mature jack pine stands. Separate site index curves were independently formulated for four regions of northern Ontario using the Newnham constrained nonlinear regression model; these formulations were used for comparing regional site index curves at three levels of site index (10 m, 15 m and 20 m).Comparisons showed that no significant differences existed between the four regional curves as well as with previously published site index curves for the North Central Region. Each of the four regions had similar polymorphic height-growth patterns; therefore, data for the four regions were combined and a single formulation was used to develop a polymorphic set of site index curves for all of northern Ontario. We found that poor sites in each region had almost linear height growth up to 100 years breast-height age, but for each region height growth became more curvilinear with increasing site index. The recommended site index curves for northern Ontario are based on a formulation using only data from plots 100 years and less but this formulation was not significantly different from a formulation using only data from plots 80 years and less, or a formulation that included all data from plots older than 100 years breast-height age.Comparisons were made between our northern Ontario curves and other jack pine site index curves for Ontario as well as curves for other areas of Canada and the United States. These comparisons generally showed considerable older age differences. Reasons for these differences are uncertain but could be due to differences in the amount and kind of data used for these other curves, could be due to differences in analytical methods, or could be due to regional differences in climate, soil and topography. Key words: site quality evaluation, polymorphic height growth, regional site index curves, site index prediction equations, comparisons among site index curves.

Dominant-height and site-index equations for ponderosa pine in east-central Arizona

1991 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 606-611 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. F. Stansfield ◽  
J. P. McTague ◽  
R. Lacapa
Keyword(s):  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Prediction Method ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
Predictive Capability ◽  
East Central ◽  
Dominant Height ◽  
Central Arizona ◽  
Parameter Prediction

A dominant-height equation for ponderosa pine (Pinusponderosa Laws.) was constructed utilizing a parameter prediction method and a model by J.E. King. The site-index equation was obtained by inverting the dominant-height equation. A method was examined for indirectly obtaining parameter prediction equations. It proved superior to two direct parameter prediction approaches. Other site-quality variables, such as habitat type groups and elevation, were included in the dominant-height and site-index equations and were successful in refining predictive capability.

Qualité de station et production dans les érablières rouges de la plaine de Drummondville, Québec

1990 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 377-387
Author(s):  
Jean Bégin ◽  
Louis Bélanger ◽  
Jacques Pfalzgraf ◽  
Marius Pineau
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Acer Rubrum ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
Site Classification ◽  
Private Forest ◽  
Red Maple ◽  
Plain Area ◽  
Breast Height ◽  
Dominant Height ◽  
Yield Table

In southern Quebec, red maple (Acer rubrum. L.) constitutes more than a third of the merchantable wood in certain administrative private forest units. Dendrometrical and ecological surveys of red maple stands were conducted in Drummondville plain area. The study has shown that the phytosociological association criteria contributed significantly to the prediction of dominant height (the dendrometrical variable used as an indice of site quality) in relation to age at breast height (1.3 m). The three studied associations, the red maple-sugar maple association (humid mesotrophic sites), the red maple-black ash association (mesic sites) and the red maple-wild holly association (oligotroph humid sites) differ significantly as to their height growth pattern. On the basis of these associations, three empiric production tables where produced. The yield at 50 years (breast height age) in the three sites qualities amount respectively to 179, 148 and 108 m3 per hectare. Key words: Acer rubrum. Site quality, yield table, site classification, red maple stand

scholarly journals Models for diameter and height growth of Scots pine, Norway spruce and pubescent birch in drained peatland sites in Finland

Silva Fennica ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaakko Repola ◽  
Hannu Hökkä ◽  
Hannu Salminen
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Scots Pine ◽  
Growth Models ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Repeated Measurements ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Tree Diameter

The aim of this study was to develop individual-tree diameter and height growth models for Scots pine, Norway spruce, and pubescent birch growing in drained peatlands in Finland. Trees growing in peatland sites have growth patterns that deviate from that of trees growing in mineral soil sites. Five-year growth was explained by tree diameter, different tree and stand level competition measures, management operations and site characteristics. The drainage status of the site was influencing growth directly or in interaction with other variables. Site quality had a direct impact but was also commonly related to current site drainage status (need for ditch maintenance). Recent thinning increased growth of all species and former PK fertilization increased growth of pine and birch. Temperature sum was a significant predictor in all models and altitude for spruce and birch. The data were a subsample of the 7th National Forest Inventory (NFI) sample plots representing northern and southern Finland and followed by repeated measurements for 15–20 yrs. Growth levels predicted by the models were calibrated using NFI11 data to remove bias originating from the sample of the modelling data. The mixed linear models technique was used in model estimation. The models will be incorporated into the MOTTI stand simulator to replace the current peatlands growth models.

Regional Height Growth Models for Scots Pine in Poland

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jarosław Socha ◽  
Luiza Tymińska-Czabańska ◽  
Stanisław Zięba ◽  
Dominika Cywicka ◽  
Paweł Hawryło
Keyword(s):  
Scots Pine ◽  
Growth Models ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Natural Forest ◽  
Growth Trajectories ◽  
Regional Models ◽  
Site Productivity ◽  
Forest Regions

Abstract Background: Site productivity remains a fundamental concern in forestry as a significant driver of resource availability. The site index (SI) reflects the overall impact of all environmental parameters that determine tree height growth and is the most commonly used indirect proxy for forest site productivity estimated using stand age and height. One of the most critical challenges in the site index (SI) concept are local variations in climate, soil, and genotype-environmental interactions that lead to variable height growth patterns among ecoregions and cause inappropriate estimation of site productivity. Developing regional models can solve this problem and allow us to determine forest growth and SI appropriately.Results: Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop regional height growth models (RMs) for the Scots pine in Poland. For height growth modelling, we used the growth trajectory data of 855 sample trees, representing the entire range of geographic locations and site conditions of the Scots pine in Poland. Collected growth trajectories were used for the development of the global height growth model (GM) for Poland and RMs for six natural forest regions, which were adopted as the spatial unit for the model regionalisation. Height prediction errors by the global model were found to be significantly larger than those obtained with regional models in all regions. The results showed significant differences between growth trajectories in natural forest regions I, II, and III located in northern Poland compared to stands in natural forest regions IV, V, and VI in southern Poland.Conclusions: The presented study showed differences in height growth patterns of Scots pines in Poland and revealed that the use of local models could improve the growth prediction and quality of the SI estimation. Developed RMs show better fit statistics and predictive validity than the GM developed for the countrywide scale. Differences in climate and soil conditions which distinguish natural forest regions affect height growth patterns of Scots pine. Therefore, extending this research to models which directly describe the interactions of height growth with site variables, such as climate, soil properties, and topography, can provide additional valuable forest management information.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document