Adjustment of estimated tree growth rates in northern California conifers for changes in precipitation levels

Abstract

Even with similar initial conditions, observed forest growth rates on permanent sample plots in the conifer region of northern California differ for different periods. Thus, individual-tree growth models built with growth parameters estimated from data from one period may not produce accurate estimates for another period unless some allowance is made for this variation in growth rates. Variation in growth rates of northern California conifers through time has been shown to be correlated with precipitation changes. A method is presented that adjusts periodic growth estimates for variation in precipitation between periods. This provides a basis for adjusting short-term growth data for making long-term growth projections. Perhaps more importantly, short-term inventory updates might be made more accurately.