A state-space approach to stand growth modelling of European beech

• Published in: Annals of forest science. Vol. 64; no. 4; pp. 365 - 374
• Main Authors: Nord-Larsen, Thomas, Johannsen, Vivian K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Les Ulis EDP Sciences 01.01.2007; Springer Nature B.V; Springer Nature (since 2011)/EDP Science (until 2010)
• Subjects: Agricultural sciences; Beech; Biological and medical sciences; Deviation; Dynamical systems; Fagus sylvatica; Forest growth; Forest management. Stand types and stand dynamics. Silvicultural treatments. Tending of stands. Natural regeneration; Forestry; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Growth conditions; Growth models; Life Sciences; Parameter estimation; Silviculture, forestry; Stand types and stand dynamics. Silvicultural treatments. Tending of stands. Natural regeneration; Static models; Statistical analysis; Statistical tests; Thinning; Denmark; Scandinavia; Europe; Yield table; Forest stand; Growth; Silviculture; Mortality; Spacing; Dynamical system; Fagaceae; Difference equation; Modeling; Basal area; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Forestry; Hardwood forest tree; Spermatophyta; Dynamic model; Fagus sylvatica
• ISSN: 1286-4560; 1297-966X
• DOI: 10.1051/forest:2007013

Static models of forest growth, such as yield tables or cumulative growth functions, generally fail to recognize that forest stands are dynamic systems, subject to changes in growth dynamics due to silvicultural interventions or natural dynamics. Based on experimental data, covering a wide range of initial spacings and thinning practises, we developed a dynamic stand growth model of European beech in Denmark. The model entailed three equations for predicting dominant height growth, basal area growth, and mortality. The signs of the parameter estimates generally corroborated the anticipated growth paths of dominant height and basal area. Although statistical tests indicated significant systematic deviations between observed and predicted values, the deviations were small and of little practical importance. Cross validation procedures indicated that the model may be applied across a wide range of growth conditions and thinning practises without significant loss of precision.