Developing a general method for the estimation of the fertility rating parameter of the 3-PG model: application in Eucalyptus globulus plantations in northwestern Spain

Abstract

Simple, operational tools are required for forest managers to quantify the effects of soil fertility on tree growth and ecosystem sustainability leading to precise, sustainable forest management. The simplified process-based 3-PG model (Landsberg, J.J., and Waring, R.H., For. Ecol. Manage. 95: 209–228, 1997) provides a useful framework for operational prediction of forest growth. However, no simple objective method for relating the effects of available soil nutrients to the model fertility parameter fertility rating (FR) is yet available. The present study aimed to compare several general modeling approaches for the estimation of FR values from soil relative nutrient contents (RNCs) to maximum nonlimiting values, measured in the whole soil profile, at continuous inventory plots of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. in several locations under different parent materials in northwestern Spain. The modeling approaches tested provided good predictions of FR values from RNCs. In particular, using the minimum value of the most significant RNCs showed considerable potential for modeling FR values and plantation growth responses to them. This modeling approach showed promise to be further tested as a generally applicable strategy for estimating the effect of soil nutrients on forest plantations growth.

Determination of Fertility Rating (FR) in the 3-PG Model for Loblolly Pine Plantations in the Southeastern United States Based on Site Index

“…Tuning FR makes detecting the proper value of FR a subjective decision. The validity of 3-PG growth predictions would be improved if a quantitative method could be developed to determine FR based on measured input parameters [6,13]. Determining soil fertility by measuring soil profiles will not always be practical, affordable or accurate for management applications [52].…”

“…Sampson et al (2008) [12] used clay and sand percentage obtained from State Soil Geograhic Survey (STATSGO) database to predict FR. Vega-Nieva et al (2013) [13] used clay content and Ca, K, and Na in the soil profile to predict FR. Pérez-Cruzado et al (2011) [14] used fertility limitation, water limitation, oxygen limitation, management limitation, and topographic limitation to calibrate FR.…”

Application of a process‐based model for predicting the productivity of Eucalyptus nitens bioenergy plantations in Spain

“…The model has a simple structure, a lower number of parameters than other more detailed physiological models, and it is freely available. 3‐PG has been widely applied to different forest species including several Eucalyptus species (Sands & Landsberg, ; Almeida et al ., ,b, ; Dye et al ., ; Stape et al ., ; Fontes et al ., ; Paul et al ., ; Rodríguez et al ., ; Rodríguez‐Suárez et al ., ; Silva et al ., ; Vega‐Nieva et al ., ). In Spain, Pérez‐Cruzado et al .…”

Nutritional Prescriptions for Eucalyptus Plantations: Lessons Learned from Spain

“…In additional studies carried out in commercial plantations, observed volume growth increases always higher than 38% relative to the unfertilized control two years after planting. The recommended doses at planting are summarized in Table 1, which also includes results reported by Merino et al [35] and Vega-Nieva et al [44] and the risk of fertilizer leaching in the rainier regions. Unsurprisingly, responses to mainly N and P were found in the soil with low organic matter content in SW Spain (Mediterranean climate, with rainfall between 450 and 950 mm year´1) [43].…”