Bole Volume Research Articles

New approaches to extensive forest inventory in Western Australia using large-scale aerial photography

Summary With the publication of its 1987 Timber Strategy, the Western Australian Government called for a new strategic-level inventory over 1.3-million hectares of the state's jarrah forests by 1991. The design for this inventory uses two phase or double sampling; the first phase involving intensive systematic sampling by large scale aerial photographs (1:1200) to obtain gross bole volume estimates for the forest and its various subunits, the second phase involving resampling a proportion of the first phase plots on the ground to obtain detailed information for adjusting the first phase photo-estimates and for partitioning gross bole volumes into product classes of various types. Large-scale photographs improve sampling efficiency partly because of their use to obtain precise tree measurements independent of ground control. One method available for such photography uses sequential exposures with a single camera and requires an accurate altimeter and tip/tilt recorder to determine scale and camera-orientat...

Predicting Wood Production by Canopy Trees in Forest Communities in the Western Great Smoky Mountains

Abstract A sequence of multivariate techniques (after Golden 1981) including hierarchial classification, detrended correspondence analysis, and multiple discriminant analysis was used to classify forest types in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Multiple regressions were used to develop predictive equations for canopy tree productivity (periodic bole volume increment) from environmental variables and measurements of tree growth. An index of topographic shape was constructed to quantify the effects of landform on forest distribution and productivity. The topographic index "protection" was the most important variable for predicting forest productivity. Elevation was the most important variable determining vegetation distribution with protection the second. Predictability of forest productivity from environmental factors was lower on older logged and farmed sites than on undisturbed sites. For. Sci. 35(2):338-348.

Predicting Fertilizer Response of Loblolly Pine Using Foliar and Needle-Fall Nutrients Sampled in Different Seasons

Abstract Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) foliage and needle-fall were determined five times during 1979 on ten fertilizer trials installed between 1971 and 1973. Bole volume responses to fertilizers were regressed on initial stand basal area, and the residual errors were used as dependent variables in regressions with the nutrient variables. The only sampling period during which the N response residuals had a significant relation to foliar nutrients was early fall. The needle-fall N/P ratio was significantly related to the N response residuals in late winter, late spring, and early fall. Phosphorus response residuals were significantly related to foliar nutrients during all sampling periods and to needle-fall N/P in all sampling periods except late winter. The maximum R2;, 0.73, was for the regression of the P response residuals versus a foliar N/P ratio in late spring. The N + P response residuals were not significantly related to foliar or needle-fall nutrients. For. Sci. 34(3):698-707.

Equations for estimating aboveground components of young Douglas-fir and red alder in a coastal Oregon plantation

Localized log–log regression equations were developed for young red alder (Alnusrubra Bong.) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) to predict branch and leaf dry weights from branch diameters, and leaf and branch dry weights (predicted from branch diameters), bole volumes and weights, and tree heights from stump and breast-height diameters. Correlation coefficients were generally greater than 0.9. These equations will be useful for similar sites in estimating aboveground biomass at precommercial thinning, fuel loadings, nutrient cycling, and productivity.

Lower Bole Diameter and Volume of Four Appalachian Hardwoods

Abstract Coefficients are provided for estimating dbh from stump measurements and estimating diameter and volume from groundline to dbh for northern red oak, white oak, red maple, and yellow-poplar. North. J. Appl. For. 4:212, December 1987.

Estimation of bole volume by importance sampling

A sampling methodology to provide an unbiased estimate of bole volume is introduced, with specific regard to its incorporation as an alternative to detailed dendrometry in a 3P sampling framework. In a demonstration of the technique to estimate merchantable volume in a 91-tree population, the average relative sampling error was 7.4%. A two-tool implementation of 3P sampling is proposed and discussed.

A General Taper Functional Form to Predict Bole Volume for Five Mixed-Conifer Species in California

A General Taper Functional Form to Predict Bole Volume for Five Mixed-Conifer Species in California

A geometrical tree volume model based on the location of the centre of gravity of the bole

A tree bole model describing a geometrical form in between a paraboloid and cone "paracone" has been developed. The model is based on empirical evidence that the average centre of gravity of aspen (Populustremuloides Michx.) boles without branches lies at 3/10 of the bole height from its base. Outside bark bole volume, V (cubic decimetres), can therefore be estimated nondestructively from the total height, H (metres), and the diameter outside bark, dK (centimetres), measured at a relative height, K, as follows:[Formula: see text]Based on a sample of 70 aspen stems, this equation estimates individual bole volume from total bole length or height and from a single diameter measurement, either at the 3/10 position or at the breast-height position, as accurately as Smalian's formula using seven diameter measurements. Based on the sample, the 3/10 position should be chosen over breast height wherever breast height lies below 20 or above 60% of the total height. It is important that care be taken in the measurement of the diameter due to the sensitivity of the volume equation to diameter variation. In addition to volume estimation, the paracone model provides a comparison profile around which stem form variation within and among species may be observed.

Estimating bark thickness in natural stands of Eucalyptus

AbstractInformation on bark thickness at various heights is sought to predict damage to trees by forest fires. A procedure which for natural stands of some smooth bark eucalyptus species enables the estimation of bark thickness at different heights from a single girth measurement at one metre height is discussed. The method utilizes the relationships of average girth, average bark thickness, and the regression coefficients of girth and bark thickness at given height positions, with height at one metre. The height positions are determined on a calibrating sample of about thirty trees of different sizes. Furthermore it is shown how the above information can be used to estimate bark volume, and hence bole volume, for Eucalyptus species of some commercial importance such as E. viminalis. Four species are considered: E. viminalis, E. pauciflora, E. mannifera and E. radiata.

METHODS AND RESULTS OF FOREST ASSESSMENT USING RANDOM SAMPLING UNITS IN PHOTO-INTERPRETED STRATA

SUMMARY The paper outlines the principles and methods used in forest assessment in Tasmania. Results from nine assessment projects using random plots in photo-interpreted strata are tabulated and discussed, and conclusions drawn therefrom. The arguments leading to the adoption of random sampling in Tasmania wherever possible are summarized. Sampling intensities of between 0.3 per cent, and 1.0 per cent, are normally used for areas of more than 4,000 ac., and overall sampling errors of less than IS per cent, for gross bole and 20 per cent, for sawlog volume (at the 95 percent, probability level) are usually obtainable with these intensities. The allocation of sampling units among the various height and density classes is discussed. Random plots are employed wherever possible, but in very dense forests with poor access, random strips are used and subdivided into plots. Sampling errors for gross bole volume are almost invariably lower than those for sawlog volume. The magnitude of the sampling error varies m...