Summary
Published in Canadian Journal of Forest Research 41: 682-693
Models were built to relate site index to biophysical variables and stand structure for seven conifer species grown in plantation. Reduced models without stand structure were also derived to allow the prediction of site index even when information on the stand is unavailable. Biophysical variables tested were degree-days, aridity, summer precipitation, vapour pressure deficit, and soil water-holding capacity.
The stand structure was accounted for using a Shannon evenness index of diameter at breast height distribution. Both full and reduced models had low to moderate R2 values and were slightly biased for most of the species. The results indicate that while correlations between phytometric and biophysical site indices are rather weak, those between plantation yield predicted using both indices and volume observed in the field are reasonably high (above 0.80). The biophysical site index models derived in this study could be used for strategic planning to estimate plantation yield or allowable cut for each of the seven conifer species.
Sector(s):
Forests
Categorie(s):
Scientific Article
Theme(s):
Forestry Research, Forests, Silviculture
Author(s)
BEAULIEU, Jean, Frédéric RAULIER, Guy PRÉGENT and Jean BOUSQUET
Year of publication :
2011
How to get the publication :
Keywords :
rendement, indice biophysique, épinette, pin, mélèze, Picea, Pinus, Larix, article scientifique de recherche forestière, plantation, sylviculture et rendement des plantations, silviculture and yield of plantations, yield, site index, spruce, pine, larch
