Stand Volume Research Articles

Genetic Gain and Projected Increase in Stand Volume from Two Cycles Breeding Program of Acacia mangium : Implications to Plantation Productivity and Sustainable Forestry in Indonesia

Two cycles breeding program of Acacia mangium was practiced by Center for Forest Biotechnology and Tree Improvement Research. Although improved seed from the breeding program have been used in operational plantation, the real amount of gains in productivity was not verified together yet. This study was aimed to observe realized genetic gain and projected increase in stand volume from the two cycles breeding of A. mangium , and to discuss the implications on plantation productivity and sustainable forestry in Indonesia. Improved seed from first and second-generation seed orchard were tested together with an unimproved seed in genetic gain trial in West Java, with spacing of 3 x 3 m. Measurements were done at three years ages for height, dbh, and stem volume. Realized genetic gain was calculated as the percentage increase of improved seed over the unimproved one. Results of study showed that improved seed performed better growth than the unimproved with realized gain of 5-24% (height), 3-44% (dbh) and 11-90% (stem volume). Improved seed from second-generation outperformed that from the first-generation, with an improvement of 6-16% (height), 3-26% (dbh) and 20-53% (stem volume). Genetic gains increased with increasing ages for height, but it tended to decrease for dbh and stem volume. At given site and silvicultural practices, projected increase in stand volume at 8 years rotation reached 290-325 m 3 /ha, which is equal to 30-50% of gains. The uses of high genetically improved seed, in combination with intensive silviculture, would provide significant impacts on plantation productivity and sustainable forestry in Indonesia.

航空レーザーによるヒノキ・スギの森林蓄積推定－林分特性の違いを考慮した蓄積推定モデルの開発－

I developed a model to estimate stand volumes using LiDAR data. Stand volumes (v) are often estimated by linear regression model using spatial volume (V), v＝aV or v＝aV＋b, where a and b as constant. This method is easy to apply, but its accuracy is known to be low. Belief of taking “a” as constant may worth for reconsideration. The concept of “Stock Ratio (s)” -defined as s＝v/V is newly proposed in this study. I focused on five representative stand characters-species, diameter of breath height, slope, height to diameter ratio and Hart-Becking index and examined the relation between these factors and Stock Ratio using 6,000 trees data obtained in field measurements. The results strongly suggested that species and Hart-Becking index have an apparent relation with Stock Ratio. Hence, it is clear that Stock Ratio will differ among species and Hart-Becking index. The relation can be modeled as s＝Bse(－As×Sr) where Sr is Hart-Becking index and, As and Bs are the constant by species. Introducing the estimation of Stock Ratio with above two factors which is proposed in this study will improve the accuracy of the estimation for the stand volume (i.e. v＝sV＝Bse(－As×Sr)V) than conventional methods.

Stand Volume Estimation Using the k-NN Technique Combined with Forest Inventory Data, Satellite Image Data and Additional Feature Variables

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of adding feature variables, such as forest type information and topographic- and climatic-environmental factors to satellite image data, on the accuracy of stand volume estimates made with the k-nearest neighbor (k-NN) technique in southwestern Japan. Data from the Forest Resources Monitoring Survey—a national plot sampling survey in Japan—was used as in situ data in this study. The estimates obtained from three Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) datasets acquired in different seasons with various combinations of additional feature variables were compared. The results showed that although the addition of environmental factors to satellite image data did not always help improve estimation accuracy, the use of summer rainfall (SRF) data had a consistent positive effect on accuracy improvement. Therefore, SRF may be a useful feature variable to consider in stand volume estimation in this study area. Moreover, the use of forest type information is very effective at reducing k-NN estimation errors when using an optimum combination of satellite image data and environmental factors. All of the results indicated that the k-NN technique combined with appropriate feature variables is applicable to nationwide stand volume estimation in Japan.

Invasive Tree Species Robinia pseudoacacia: A Potential Biomass Resource in Nagano Prefecture, Japan

The introduced tree species, Robinia pseudoacacia (black locust), has spread extensively in many countries. Because of its active regeneration and rapid initial growth, R. pseudoacacia has not been successfully eradicated despite many efforts. To manage this species, developing information on the growth of R. pseudoacacia as a biomass resource is desirable, and this will motivate logging and could contribute to the extermination or sustainable use of this species. In the present study, the stand volume and growth of R. pseudoacacia forests in riverbeds along the Chikumagawa River in Nagano Prefecture in Japan were examined by tree ring and stem analyses. Seven plots were established in R. pseudoacacia riparian forests of varying ages, and 611 measurements of diameter at breast height and 386 measurements of tree height were made. Stand volumes, which were estimated using equations of stem volume curve based on the results of stem analysis of 47 sample trees, were almost the same as or higher than those of native broadleaf forests in Japan. Stand volumes continued to increase for more than 20 years. Current annual increments of four plots (aged 13–22 years) indicated that it could take <5 years after regeneration for the annual increment of R. pseudoacacia forests to reach a maximum level. Growth of R. pseudoacacia was comparable to or faster than native broadleaved species in Japan, showing the possibility of short rotation harvesting.

The Accuracy of Standwise Forest Inventory in Mature Stands

Abstract Traditionally forest resources are estimated in each compartment or stand with ocular standwise forest inventory. However, this inventory technique has shortages with measurement accuracy. In the study the accuracy of the standwise forest inventory was estimated by comparing the growing stock volume of the standwise inventory with the accurate (instrumental) re-measurements. Comparison was done with 4515 mature stands of pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.), birch (Betula spp.), aspen (Populus tremula L.) and black alder (Alnus glutinosa L.). The stands’ measurements by callipers or by harvesters (recalculated to growing stock volume) were used for accurate re-measurements. The study results show that the volume of standwise forest inventory have relative bias of 17.6% (volume is underestimated by 17.6%) and relative root mean square error 27.5 % for the whole data. Spruce stands are more accurately measured and black alder stands - inaccurately. The accuracy of pine, birch and mixed stands was similar to overall trends. Stands with volume 200 - 300 m3 ha-1 are more accurately measured and stands with the volume less than 200 m3 ha-1 - most inaccurately. The accuracy of stands with the volume more than 300 m3 ha-1, decreases by increasing the volume of stands. The volume estimation of individual species has different trends in standwise forest inventory. The volume of pine and birch is overestimated and the volume of spruce, aspen and black alder is underestimated.

Calibration of area based diameter distribution with individual tree based diameter estimates using airborne laser scanning

Diameter distribution is essential for calculating stem volume and timber assortments of forest stands. A new method was proposed in this study to improve the estimation of stem volume and timber assortments, by means of combining the Area-based approach (ABA) and individual tree detection (ITD), the two main approaches to deriving forest attributes from airborne laser scanning (ALS) data. Two methods, replacement, and histogram matching were employed to calibrate ABA-derived diameter distributions with ITD-derived diameter estimates at plot level. The results showed that more accurate estimates were obtained when calibrations were applied. In view of the highest accuracy between ABA and ITD, calibrated diameter distributions decreased its relative RMSE of the estimated entire growing stock, saw log and pulpwood fractions by 2.81%, 3.05% and 7.73% points at best, respectively. Calibration improved pulpwood fraction significantly, which contributed to the negligible bias of the estimated entire growing stock.

Birch stands growth increase in Western Siberia

Birch (Betula pendula Roth) growth within the Western Siberia forest-steppe was analyzed based on long-term (1897–2006) inventory data (height, diameter at breast height [dbh], and stand volume). Analysis of biometry parameters showed increased growth at the beginning of twenty-first century compared to similar stands (stands age = 40–60 years) at the end of nineteenth century. Mean height, dbh, and stem volume increased from 14 to 20 m, from 16 to 22 cm, and from ∼63 to ∼220 m3/ha, respectively. Significant correlations were found between the stands mean height, dbh, and volume on the one hand, and vegetation period length (rs = 0.71 to 0.74), atmospheric CO2 concentration (rs = 0.71 to 0.76), and drought index (Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index, rs = −0.33 to −0.51) on the other hand. The results obtained have revealed apparent climate-induced impacts (e.g. increase of vegetation period length and birch habitat drying due to drought increase) on the stands growth. Along with this, a high correlation of birch biometric parameters and [CO2] in ambient air indicated an effect of CO2 fertilization. Meanwhile, further drought increase may switch birch stand growth into decline and greater mortality as has already been observed within the Trans-Baikal forest-steppe ecotone.

Realized Genetic Gain and Seed Source X Site Interaction on Stand Volume Productivity of Acacia Mangium

Following the results of the comprehensive tree improvement programs for Acacia mangium, it is necessary to estimate the real amount of genetic improvement and to develop an improved seed deployment strategy. This study was aimed to verify realized genetic gain on stand volume productivity attained by the first-generation Seedling Seed Orchards (SSO) of A. mangium and to identify the magnitude of seed sources x site interaction as a basis for improved seed deployment. Seeds from five SSOs were tested together with seeds from seed stand in genetic gain trials which were established in South Kalimantan and Central Java. Realized gains were calculated from the percentage improvement of respective SSOs compared with seed stand at two and four years of age. Seed source x site interaction was investigated through analysis across the two sites. Results of the study showed that trees derived from the five SSOs produced better stand volume than those from seed stand. At four years of age, stand volume of the best SSO reached around 127 m3/ha in South Kalimantan and 84 m3/ha in Central Java. Realized genetic gain were around 66% at two years and 59% at four years in South Kalimantan, and around 136% at two years and 81% at four years in Central Java. Seed source x site interaction was not significantly different indicating superiority of improved seed were consistent across the two sites with the average realized gain ranging from 18% to 79% and 24% to 62% at two and four years, respectively. The best three SSOs were SSO-1 located in Pleihari-South Kalimantan, SSO-2 in Pendopo-South Sumatra and SSO-5 in Wonogiri-Central Java, all of which originated from Papua New Guinea provenances. Improved seed from the orchards could be used at plantation sites without any significant change of the order in their superiority for stand volume productivity.

A flexible modeling of irregular diameter structure for the volume estimation of forest stands

Simple distribution models (SDMs) have deficiencies in portraying irregular forest diameter structure. This paper introduces mixture distribution models (MDMs) to improve the estimation accuracy of stand volume of Siberian larch (Larix sibirica Ledeb.) forests. Stand volume was estimated by combining the suitable diameter mixture model and diameter–height model. Appropriate mixture models are derived by integrating multiple SDMs of Burr III and XII, Johnson SB, Weibull or lognormal probability density functions (pdf) that satisfied the criteria of goodness of fit tests. Results showed that the average bias of volume estimation for all of the study plots using SDM and MDM approaches are underestimated by 6.93 and 2.42 m3, respectively. Each of the estimates is equivalent to an estimation error of 25.59 ± 18.18 and 7.08 ± 2.97 %. This suggests that the MDM approach is a more flexible and suitable modeling technique for forest volume estimation, in particular for forests that have been frequently disturbed by natural events.

Insights into pollen source area, transport and deposition from modern pollen accumulation rates in lake sediments

Pollen accumulation rates (PAR) from late Quaternary deposits can provide direct estimates of past plant abundance. They are influenced by lake internal processes and therefore rarely used in between site comparisons, although few studies from Fennoscandia have applied them successfully. This study aims to explore how PARs from selected lakes from Northeast Germany reflect differences in plant abundance as a step towards quantitative vegetation reconstructions from PARs.Short sediment cores were collected from 18 lakes of which 16 could be dated by 210Pb. PARs were estimated for the youngest sediment, representing approximately two years before sampling in 2009, and samples dated to around 1993. Forest inventory data for the two time slices were obtained for 15 km around the sites and standing volume (SV) was estimated as a measure of above ground biomass. PARs were compared to the total SV within increasing areas around the lakes, as well as to distance-weighted SV using the Prentice/Sugita model of pollen dispersal and deposition. Both assessments of the vegetation data yielded strong linear relationships with PARs already over distances of tens of metres to a few kilometres documenting the importance of the local vegetation. This indicates the importance of the often neglected trunk space component of pollen transport for small lakes. Results from the small number of large lakes suggest that these sites receive a larger absolute input of pollen from regional sources. These observations indicate that small lakes may be somewhat sheltered from pollen transported above the canopy.We demonstrate that PARs of the major tree taxa obtained from lake sediments are linear related to the lake surrounding biomass. This confirms that PAR can be used to infer past changes in plant biomass, although absolute pollen deposition may also be determined by net primary productivity of the biomass.

Past human population history affects current forest landscape structure of Vodlozero National Park, Northwest Russia

The information about location and size of past human settlements can give new insights into the analysis of landscape structures. Vodlozero National Park (NP) is one the largest strictly protected areas in Northwestern Europe. We mapped the location of historic villages, which were abandoned in 1958, and studied the effect of past human activity in the forest landscape in two different scales using forest survey data. We assessed the possible change in age, volume and tree species composition from the edge of open fields up to the distance of 5 km from villages. We made a larger landscape analysis using a grid of forest stands covering the whole northern part of the NP. The past human activity was clearly visible in the present forest landscape. Distance from villages affected age, volume and tree species composition of the forest stands. This effect was the strongest within the first two kilometers from the villages. At the level of whole northern NP, the proportion of spruce markedly increased after approximately 15 km from the nearest old village. The changes in the forests surrounding the villages were most likely the result of the intensive use of wood for different commodities needed in households and farming, in addition to short rotation slash and burn agriculture. If the occurrence of forest fires was more frequent closer to villages than in more remote areas, it can well explain the observed pattern in the abundance of spruce in the larger landscape that is less tolerant to fire than pine.

A dynamic volume and biomass growth model system for even-aged downy birch stands in south-western Europe

This study develops some components to complete a management-oriented dynamic model system for simulating current and future volume and biomass of even-aged stands of managed downy birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.) in Galicia (NW Spain). The specific components developed are a mortality equation, a basal area growth equation, a diameter distribution prediction system and equations for total and component biomass prediction. Functions to predict decreases in numberof trees per hectare and basal area growth were simultaneously fitted using Nonlinear Seemingly Unrelated Regression (NSUR) and a base-age invariant dummy variable method; critical errors of 19 and 16 per cent were obtained, respectively, when projections were made. The Weibull function modelled successfully all but four of the 198 diameter distributions examined, using the parameter recovery method through moments. To predict components and total aboveground biomass, a system of additive equations was simultaneously fitted using the generalized method of moments (GMM), which takes into account heteroscedasticity and inherent correlations among the biomass components. A two-step fitting procedure was used because of the different number of observations for the components considered. The biomass equations explained more than 85 per cent of the observed variability. The Galician birch stands which were surveyed were found to have grown by 3–10 m ha year in volume and by 2–8 Mg ha year in aboveground total biomass, with rotations between 30 and 60 years. The model system now forms an accessible decision support system for forest management and land development in the region.

Predicting stand volume using Quickbird and Landsat 7 ETM+ satellite images for stands of oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky): a case study inAyancık-Göldağ

Abstract: In forestry, inventory data is needed for ecological, economical and social values of forest and in preparing forest management planning. The planning process starts with forest inventory. In forestry, inventory data is obtained from both remotely sensed (aerial photo interpretation or satellite image) data and field survey with temporary sample plots. In the preparation of forest management plans, stand volume, basal area, number of trees stand as an important inventory data for the required parameters. Obtaining measurements of these parameters is costly and time consuming. This study were carried out to examine the Quickbird and Landsat 7 ETM+ satellite images in estimating stand volume in pure stands of oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky). The stand volume was determined by field measurements at total 70 temporary sampling plots. Reflectance values were calculated based on the Quickbird and Landsat 7 ETM+ satellite data points that correspond to the sampling plots. Regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between the reflectance values and stand volume. The results demonstrated that regression model with band 1, band 2, band 3 and band 4 as independent variables for Quickbird and ETM 2, ETM 3 and ETM 4 as independent variables for Landsat 7 ETM+ were used for a better estimation of stand volume (R2=0.70, RMSE=28.56 m3/ha-1; R2=0.545, RMSE=53.13 m3 ha-1), respectively. Keywords: Stand volume, Quickbird satellite data, Landsat 7 ETM+ satellite data

Productivity of mixed versus pure stands of oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl. and Quercus robur L.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) along an ecological gradient

The mixture of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and oak (sessile oak, Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl., and pedunculate oak, Q. robur L.) is of considerable importance in Europe and will probably become even more important under climate change. Therefore, the performance of oak and beech in mixture was compared with the species’ growth in pure stands. Data from 37 long-term mixing experiments in Poland, Germany and Switzerland were pooled for analysis of mixing effects on stand productivity and possible interrelationships with mixing portions or site conditions. We found that on average, mixed stands of oak and beech exceeded biomass productivity in pure stands by 30 % or 1.7 t ha−1 year−1, as the growth of both species was benefitted by the mixture. However, that the interaction actually ranged from facilitation and overyielding on poor sites to underyielding on fertile sites triggered by competition. An empirically derived interaction model showed volume and dry mass growth changing in mixed stands from gains of 50 % to losses of 10 % depending on site conditions. It is concluded that the analysed mixture grows in accordance with the stress-gradient hypothesis and that our results suggest a site-specific relationship between species mixture and biomass productivity. As a consequence, an adequate species mix should result in increased productivity under steady state as well as climate change.

A Nonlinear-matrix Model for the Prediction of Mixed Uneven-aged Forests Growth with FORTRAN Program in Changbai Mountain, China

To compare the growth dynamic of the natural forest without any management practices with the forest under selection cutting regime in the Changbai Mountain, based on FORTRAN program we developed a simulator which inherently imbedded nonlinear growth model combined with matrix model. The nonlinear ingrowth and upgrowth models were established by the stepwise regression and mortality models were built for the small, medium and large diameter class by the empirical equation, all of which were combined with the matrix model to predict the growth dynamic of mixed uneven-aged forests. Chi-square test was used to test these models and no significant difference was observed between the actual and theoretical number of trees, which indicated the efficiency of the simulator developed. We applied the simulator and the result showed that basal area and volume of stands for the forest under selection cutting regime was significantly higher than the natural forest without any management practice (basal area: 35.6:18.4; volume 284.5:147.5). We concluded that the selection cutting could promote growth and yield of forest stands i.e. the forest could produce more volume if we conducted selection cutting than the forest with no management practice. The simulator developed in this study could be a useful tool for projection of current stand and therefore contribute to forest management planning.

Predicted genetic gain and realised gain in stand volume of Eucalyptus globulus

Realised gains in stand volume of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. families at 7–9 years were compared with gains predicted at 3.5 years. Gain predictions were based on height, diameter at breast height (DBH), sectional area, and stem volume for 153 full-sib families and 18 commercial checks in five-tree line plots on three West Australian sites. Single-site narrow-sense heritability estimates were 0.12–0.24 for height, 0.08–0.12 for DBH, 0.09–0.13 for sectional area, and 0.14–0.19 for stem volume. Genetic dominance effects were significant (p < 0.05) in most cases, and the estimated dominance/additive genetic variance ratio was heterogeneous for height and DBH. Stand volume was measured for 93 of the same families and checks in 40-tree block plots on four sites. Heritability of stand volume was 0.25–0.76, with an across-sites estimate of 0.41. Dominance effects were statistically absent at two sites. Estimated region-wide additive genetic correlations between selection traits (in line plots) and stand volume (in block plots) ranged from 0.86 to 0.90. Estimated stand volume gain was 23 % of the mean for the best 12 % of families and 14 % of the mean for the best 24 % of families. Realised gain was under-estimated by predictions based on height, DBH, and sectional area, which had smaller coefficients of additive variation than did stem volume. It is concluded that although BLUP analysis of early-age height and DBH can provide for indirect selection on E. globulus stand volume, analysis of stem volume is required to predict genetic gain at an appropriate scale.

Capability of ETM+ in estimates standing stock in beech stands of mountain forest

Stand volume is an important criterion in forest sciences for monitoring status and function of forests, estimation of productivity, prediction and modeling of forest disturbance, economic and environmental issues, and forest planning. The aim of this research is to evaluate the ETM+ sensor of Landsat 7 satellite data ability for forest timber volume estimation. For this purpose, 40 selective sample plots with 60 × 60 m dimension were selected, and in each sample plot, standing volume was calculated. Correspondent digital data to plots were extracted from spectral and considered as independent variables. Original stand volume data, square root, and logarithm of them were considered as dependent potential for stand volume estimation. Variables using stepwise regression, the best model with coefficient of determination, and adjusted coefficient of determination with regard to determining the appropriate model were modified Log V= 07.546 + 0.85Greenness − 10.564NDWI − 28 0.063Band1. In this model, the coefficient of determination and adjusted coefficient of determination were obtained 0.778 and 0.770, respectively. Result showed that spectral data of the mentioned sensor have a moderate.

Testing copula regression against benchmark models for point and interval estimation of tree wood volume in beech stands

This study compares copula regression, recently introduced in the forest biometric literature, with four benchmark regression models for computing wood volume V in forest stands given the values of diameter at breast height D and total height H, and suggests a set of statistical techniques for the accurate assessment of model performance. Two regression models deduced from the trivariate copula-based distribution of V, D, and H are tested against the classical Spurr’s model and Schumacher-Hall’s model based on allometric and geometric concepts, and two regression models that rely on Box-Cox transformed variables and are in a middle ground, in terms of model complexity, between copula-based regression and classical models. The accuracy of the point estimates of V is assessed by a suitable set of performance criteria and the nonparametric sign test, whereas the associated uncertainty is evaluated by comparing empirical and nominal coverage probabilities of the prediction intervals. Focusing on point estimates, the Schumacher-Hall’s model outperforms the other models in terms of several performance criteria. The sign test points out that the differences among the models that involve D and H as separate covariates are not definitely significant, whereas these models outperform the models with a single covariate. As far as the interval estimates are of concern, the four benchmark models provide comparable interval estimates. The copula-based model with parametric marginals is definitely outperformed by its competitors according to all criteria, whereas the copula-based model with nonparametric marginals provides quite accurate point estimates but biased interval estimates of V.

Adaptation of a modelling strategy to predict the NPP of even-aged forest stands

The assessment of net forest production is important for both scientific and practical purposes. The current paper presents the application of a recently developed strategy to estimate the net primary productivity of an even-aged Mediterranean pine forest (Natural Park of San Rossore, Central Italy). The strategy is based on the use of two models, C-Fix and BIOME-BGC, whose outputs are combined with forest volume data in order to describe the actual status of the ecosystems examined. The accuracy of the simulation is tested against measurements of current annual increment (CAI) derived from a recent forest inventory of the Park. The results of this test indicate that the methodology must be modified to account for the even-aged nature of the study stands. The modification is performed by the analysis of dendrochronological and tree density data, which characterize the temporal volume and CAI evolution of representative forest stands. The modified methodology is capable of taking into account the effect of stand ageing and yielding nearly unbiased estimates of forest CAI.

Forest attribute estimation of northeastern Canadian forests using QuickBird imagery and a shadow fraction method

This study demonstrates a method to map forest stand polygons based on four forest attributes (volume, basal area, height, and crown closure) using shadow fraction values estimated from high spatial resolution QuickBird panchromatic images. The method was tested over three test sites in northeastern Canada that were largely dominated by black spruce ( Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP.). The method involved four sets of procedures: (i) estimating shadow fraction from the panchromatic band of QuickBird images, (ii) generating site-specific and global regression models linking shadow fraction with each of the four forest attributes, (iii) mapping the forest attributes as a grid layer (30 × 30 m) for each test site using the global regression models, and (iv) generating stand polygons from the raster layers. Each test site was covered by a QuickBird satellite image with 0.6 × 0.6 m of spatial resolution. Between 2002 and 2004, 108 ground sample plots were acquired to develop local regression models. Goodness of fit ( R 2) of the linear regression models between shadow fraction and stand attributes ranged from 0.55 to 0.79. Relative root mean square error and bias estimates were, respectively, 0.32 and 0.15 for volume; 0.29 and 0.14 for basal area; 0.32 and −0.04 for crown closure; and 0.17 and 0.05 for height. Stand volume maps were produced from both the shadow fraction method and conventional forest stand maps (derived from aerial photo-interpretation) for a test site. Volume patterns were similar, and total volume for the test site differed by only 5.6% between the two maps. Lastly, the raster images derived from the shadow fraction method were used to produce a stand map following guidelines similar to those used by provincial inventory. In all cases, our results suggest that the shadow fraction method is a reliable and convenient way to map forest stand polygons and related attributes of black spruce stands of northeastern forests of Canada.