Modelling the top-height growth and site index of Norway spruce in Southern Belgium

Perin, Jérôme; Hebert, Jacques; Brostaux, Yves; Lejeune, Philippe; Claessens, Hugues

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2013.03.009

Cited by 23 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…It is known that not all trees in the top layer of the stand belong to this layer throughout their entire life. As such a change in the canopy position of a tree is quite probable [83], models based on the data from stem analysis can sometimes overestimate growth rates [10]. We used the verification procedure to assess the growth curve of the individual growth series against the background of more trees living in the given area.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Site Index Models for Main Forest-Forming Tree Species in Poland

Socha

Grabska

Orzeł

2020

Forests

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Site index is the most commonly used measure of potential site productivity, providing key information for forest management practices. It is determined using species-specific site index models that take into account climatic and edaphic factors. To reliably estimate the site index, appropriate models are necessary. In Poland, however, outdated guidelines, i.e., yield tables, are used to determine site classes, which result in the inappropriate estimation of height growth and increments of stands. Therefore, the aim of this study is to develop new site index models for the main forest forming tree species in Poland, in a total of eight species. For the development of site index models, we used growth trajectories of 3052 sample trees, representing the whole range of geographic locations and site conditions. Five dynamic models were selected and parametrized to develop the site index models. The models were evaluated using quantitative measures of goodness of fit (MAE, R2, and AIC), the analysis of residuals, and the assessment of how the model reflects the biological phenomena of height growth. Results showed that depending on the species, different models have the highest predictive ability. There are significant differences in results using traditional yield tables and developed site index models. For most of the species, the largest differences characterized either the youngest or the oldest age classes. These differences can be attributed to the changes in growth conditions from the time when yield tables were developed. Growth dynamics of forest stands may also show spatial variability, thus, in future research additional site variables and, regional variability should be taken into account.In recent years, forest ecosystems in Europe have experienced changes due to both the mean climate variables and the higher risk of extreme weather events [14]. Therefore, for effective long-term planning, forest management has to take into account the impact of climate change on stand growth and site productivity. In general, recent climate changes seem to have had a positive impact on forest productivity, although, this may vary at regional scales [15]. In northern and western Europe, a positive effect on forest growth and wood production is expected [14]. The site index considers the impact of climate conditions, expressing how the climatic and edaphic factors influence site productivity. Therefore, it is frequently used to analyze how environmental changes affect forest ecosystems [16][17][18][19][20]. Climate-sensitive site productivity models provide key information to develop forest management guidelines for adaptation steps and apply mitigation strategies against changing climatic conditions [21]. Site index models also play a crucial role in estimating the dynamics of forest carbon pools. According to the good practice guidance (GPG) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the past and future dynamics of forest carbon pools should be calculated using stand volume. Stand volume is most commonly es...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Site Index Models for Main Forest-Forming Tree Species in Poland

Socha

Grabska

Orzeł

2020

Forests

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“…Although ALS data enabled the accurate estimation of the top height of tree stands, it is necessary to remember, that for trees and tree stands that were 10 years old in the year 2012, the applied data could have been insufficiently precise. Perin et al [65], based on research in Belgium, claims that a modeling site index for spruces younger than 20 years old is invalid due to very high variability, resulting from weather conditions, damage by animals, etc. Undoubtedly, the use of ALS data contributes to the quality of height increment and site index measurements [66,67], particularly if data from two periods are used.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modeling the Effect of Environmental and Topographic Variables Affecting the Height Increment of Norway Spruce Stands in Mountainous Conditions with the Use of LiDAR Data

et al. 2019

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Differing levels of humidity, sunlight exposure or temperature in different areas of mountain ranges are fundamental to the existence of particular vegetation types. A better understanding of even local variability of trees may bring significant benefits, not only economic, but most of all, nature-related. The main focus of this study was the analysis of relationships between increment in stand height, age and the natural topography in the examined area. Among others, the following were examined with regard to their influence on the growing process: age, altitude above sea level (m a.s.l.), aspect and slope, topographic wetness index (TWI), and topographic position index (TPI) generated from an airborne laser scanning (ALS)-derived elevation model. To precisely calculate forest growth dynamics in mountain conditions for different spruce stands, repeated airborne lidar measurements from 2007 and 2012 were used (with resolution respectively 4 and 6 pts./m 2 ). Detailed information on every stand including species composition, share of individual species, as well as their age, were acquired from the State Forests IT System (SILP). It was proven in this study, that environmental and topographic variables may have an impact on forest growth dynamics on even closely located areas. Apart from the age, the greatest influence on tree growth has an altitude above sea level, aspect and slope. The highest height increment of spruce was observed in the stands of up to 30 years old, those that had grown at an altitude under 850 m a.s.l., on the slopes up to 15 degrees or on those which were on the northeastern exposure. The results obtained show that the physiology of species, even those that are well known, largely depends on local topographic conditions. The proven impact of different topography factors on the growth of spruce may be used while planning economic activities in precision forestry. Additional research with using multiple laser scanning in the context of other regions or other species may bring us better recognition of local growth conditions and in consequence, significantly better planning and higher revenues obtained from the sale of trees.

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“…This approach evaluates site quality in terms of the environmental causal factors themselves. A commonly applied method in this regard is to express site quality using the dominant height at a given base age, known as site index (e.g., García, 2005García, , 2011Perin, Hébert, Brostaux, Lejeune, & Claessens, 2013;Skovsgaard & Vanclay, 2008;Weiskittel, Hann, Hibbs, Lam, & Bluhm, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Site quality assessment and allometric models for tree species in the Oban Forest, Nigeria

Adeyemi

2016

Journal of Sustainable Forestry

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The suitability of site form (SF) methods for evaluating site quality was investigated. Systematic sampling techniques were used for plot location in four sites (Aking, Ekang, Erokut, and Ekuri) within the Oban Forest of Nigeria. Four 2-km-long transects/sites were sampled, totaling 16 transects. Five 0.25-ha plots were alternately laid along each transect, making 80 plots. All trees with diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 10 cm were measured for height and diameter at the merchantable limit, middle, and base. Soil samples were collected at 0-15 and 15-30 cm depths in each plot, then analyzed using standard laboratory procedures. Site forms were computed using an index diameter of 25 cm. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and regression models. Ekuri had the highest stand density (173.0 ± 51.0 stems/ha), Erokut had the lowest (143.0 ± 39.0 stems/ha). Ekang had the highest stem volume (3,847.14 ± 2.16 m 3 /ha), while Erokut had the lowest (2,127.71 ± 1,382 m 3 /ha). The most productive site was Ekang (SF = 26.52 m), while Erokut was the least productive site (SF = 21.70 m). Stem volume (SV) has significantly positive correlations with soil organic matter, calcium, and silt. The best height-diameter model was logarithmic (R 2 = .51; RMSE = 4.462). The most suitable SV model was polynomial (R 2 = .85; RMSE = 2.207).

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Modelling the top-height growth and site index of Norway spruce in Southern Belgium

Cited by 23 publications

References 18 publications

Site Index Models for Main Forest-Forming Tree Species in Poland

Site Index Models for Main Forest-Forming Tree Species in Poland

Modeling the Effect of Environmental and Topographic Variables Affecting the Height Increment of Norway Spruce Stands in Mountainous Conditions with the Use of LiDAR Data

Site quality assessment and allometric models for tree species in the Oban Forest, Nigeria

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