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

Socha, Jarosław; Grabska, Ewa; Orzeł, Stanisław

doi:10.3390/f11030301

Cited by 30 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…According to the ALT method, TH for a sample plot of size A (ha) is calculated on the basis of 160 × A − 0.6 of the thickest trees. The SI was determined for the sample plots using the SI model developed for oak in Poland [40], on the basis of the dynamic formulation of the Korf equation [41], which describes changes in the top height with age Equation 1:…”

Section: Data 221 Sample Plot Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental Drivers and Age Trends in Site Productivity for Oak in Southern Poland

Socha

Maj

Cywicka

et al. 2021

Forests

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Site productivity provides critical information for forest management practices and is a fundamental measure in forestry. It is determined using site index (SI) models, which are developed using two primary groups of methods, namely, phytocentric (plant-based) or geocentric (earth-based). Geocentric methods allow for direct site growth modelling, in which the SI is predicted using multiple environmental indicators. However, changes in non-static site factors—particularly nitrogen deposition and rising CO2 concentration—lead to an increase in site productivity, which may be visible as an age trend in the SI. In this study, we developed a geocentric SI model for oak. For the development of the SI model, we used data from 150 sample plots, representing a wide range of local topographic and site conditions. A generalized additive model was used to model site productivity. We found that the oak SI depended predominantly on physicochemical soil properties—mainly nitrogen, carbon, sand, and clay content. Additionally, the oak SI value was found to be slightly shaped by the topography, especially by altitude above sea level, and topographic position. We also detected a significant relationship between the SI and the age of oak stands, indicating the long-term increasing site productivity for oak, most likely caused by nitrogen deposition and changes in climatic conditions. The developed geocentric site productivity model for oak explained 77.2% of the SI variation.

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Section: Data 221 Sample Plot Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental Drivers and Age Trends in Site Productivity for Oak in Southern Poland

Socha

Maj

Cywicka

et al. 2021

Forests

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“…Pretzsch et al 32 estimated that in Central Europe, site productivity increased by approximately 30–70%. Additionally, the height growth of observed stands differs significantly from that observed 100 years ago 33 , 34 and included in the original tables. Moreover, the tables produce errors by not considering regional growth variability on a countrywide scale.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Regional height growth models for Scots pine in Poland

Socha

Bronisz

Zięba

et al. 2021

Sci Rep

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Site productivity remains a fundamental concern in forestry as a significant driver of resource availability for tree growth. The site index (SI) reflects the overall impact of all environmental factors that determine tree height growth and is the most commonly used indirect proxy for forest site productivity estimated using stand age and height. The SI concept challenges 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 allow us to determine forest growth and SI more appropriately. This study aimed to develop height growth models for the Scots pine in Poland, considering the natural forest region effect. For height growth modelling, we used the growth trajectory data of 855 sample trees, representing the Scots pine entire range of geographic locations and site conditions in Poland. We compared the development of regional height growth models using nonlinear-fixed-effects (NFE) and nonlinear-mixed-effects (NME) modelling approaches. Our results indicate a slightly better fit to the data of the model built using NFE approach. The results showed significant differences between Scots pine growth in natural forest regions I, II, and III located in northern Poland and natural forest regions IV, V, and VI in southern Poland. We compared the development of regional height growth models using NFE and NME modelling approaches. Our results indicate a slightly better fit to the data of the model built using the NFE approach. The developed models show differences in height growth patterns of Scots pines in Poland and revealed that acknowledgement of region as the independent variable could improve the growth prediction and quality of the SI estimation. Differences in climate and soil conditions that distinguish natural forest regions affect Scots pine height growth patterns. Therefore, extending this research to models that directly describe height growth interactions with site variables, such as climate, soil properties, and topography, can provide valuable forest management information.

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“…That is why, it is considered to be an indicator of site productivity [8,[15][16][17]. In forest management practices, site index models are known as a measure of the potential site productivity [18]. Research has highlighted new concerns about estimating the potential of these sites using indices that include characteristics of trees and stands other than height and age.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimation of the Productivity Potential of Mountain Sites (Mixed Beech-Coniferous Stands) in the Romanian Carpathians

Cicșa

Tudoran

Boroeanu

et al. 2021

Forests

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Research Highlights: This study highlighted the possibility of estimating the productivity of mountain sites (mixed beech-coniferous stands) based on tree and stand dendrometric characteristics. Background and Objectives: The mountainous region of Romania offers suitable conditions for the formation and development of mixed beech-coniferous stands with complex, multi-aged structures. Based on the dendrometric characteristics of the trees, established indicators were used to estimate the productivity of the sites, with other quantitative indicators being proposed to better capture the particularities of mixed multi-aged stands. Materials and Methods: To evaluate the productive potential of the sites, a combined in situ mapping method was applied. Laboratory analyses of soils, and information provided indirectly by indicator plant and tree overstories, led to the characterization of soil types and the identification of forest sites for study. The productivity of the sites was estimated using quantitative indicators established based on the dendrometric characteristics of the trees and stands. Results: Indicators based on stand production and growth are relevant for multi-aged stands of mixed beech-coniferous formation. The ratio between tree volume and the basal area is the result of basal area and height increments, both of which are variable and depend on the quality of the site. Thus, a form height stand can be used as an indicator to characterize the productivity of the site in mixed multi-aged stands. Conclusions: Knowing the ecological specificity of sites in the formation of mixed beech-coniferous forests is a first condition necessary to achieving stable stands that are able to continuously fulfill multiple functions. The favorability of forest sites for a certain assortment of species is a fundamental character of the sites, which is essential for the management of these forest formations.

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

Cited by 30 publications

References 52 publications

Environmental Drivers and Age Trends in Site Productivity for Oak in Southern Poland

Environmental Drivers and Age Trends in Site Productivity for Oak in Southern Poland

Regional height growth models for Scots pine in Poland

Estimation of the Productivity Potential of Mountain Sites (Mixed Beech-Coniferous Stands) in the Romanian Carpathians

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