Estimating Pinus palustris tree diameter and stem volume from tree height,crown area and stand-level parameters

Accurate and efficient estimation of forest growth and live biomass is a critical element in assessing potential responses to forest management and environmental change. The objective of this study was to develop models to predict longleaf pine tree diameter at breast height （dbh） and merchantable stem volume （V） using data obtained from field measurements. We used longleaf pine tree data from 3,376 planted trees on 127 permanent plots located in the U.S. Gulf Coastal Plain region to fit equations to predict dbh and V as functions of tree height （H） and crown area （CA）. Prediction of dbh as a function of H improved when CA was added as an additional independent variable. Similarly, predic- tions of V based on H improved when CA was included. Incorporation of additional stand variables such as age, site index, dominant height, and stand density were also evaluated but resulted in only small improvements in model performance. For model testing we used data from planted and naturally-regenerated trees located inside and outside the geographic area used for model fitting. Our results suggest that the models are a robust alternative for dbh and V estimations when H and CA are known on planted stands with potential for naturally-regenerated stands, across a wide range of ages. We discuss the importance of these models for use with metrics derived from remote sensing data.     

Relationships of stem surface area to other stem dimensions for Japanese cedar (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptomeria japonica</Emphasis> D. Don) and Japanese cypress (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chamaecyparis obtusa</Emphasis> Endl.) trees

I investigated the relationships between stem surface area outside bark and other stem dimensions for Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) and Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa Endl.) trees. The stem dimensions used here were the basal area and the product of diameter at breast height (dbh) and total tree height. The regression equation of the stem surface area s against basal area g was s = 184.216g for the cedar trees and s = 156.878g for the cypress trees. The slope of the equation was significantly different between the two species. For the same dbh, the cedar trees tended to have a higher total tree height than the cypress trees. The cedar trees also had a larger surface area of relative stem form than the cypress trees. These results indicated that the difference in the slope was produced by the differences in both the stem slenderness and tapering between the two species. On the other hand, the regression equation between the stem surface area and the product of dbh and total tree height dh was s = 1.937dh for the cedar trees and s = 1.921dh for the cypress trees, whereas no significant difference in the slope was found. The obtained slopes for the cedar and cypress trees seemed to be in accord with that for other coniferous species reported in earlier studies, suggesting that the variation in the slope among coniferous species would be small. The estimation from the basal area would provide a simpler means for estimating the stem surface area and would be useful in obtaining an approximation of the surface area. By contrast, the estimation from the product of dbh and total tree height would provide a more accurate and precise estimate as well as a wider applicable range, i.e., a parameter for physiological growth models. In conclusion, it could not be judged which regression equation examined in the present study was superior to the other, and thus it was important to select an appropriate equation depending both on the purpose and on the time and labor available.     

杨树生长量与滩地高程关系的研究

根据同一滩地、不同高程杨树林一个轮伐期的定位观测,杨树造林保存率和材积生长量均随滩地高程降低、淹水时间增加而减小。东南湖滩地根据其杨树宜林性分为3类:①高位滩地,适于建速生丰产林基地;②中位滩地,可作一般用材林、防浪林、抑螺林的造林;③低位滩地,一般不宜直接用于杨树造林。     

新疆阿克苏地区特色林果适生区区划研究

为了因地制宜、充分合理地利用自然资源,根据主要气候因素对果树的影响情况,对新疆维吾尔自治区阿克苏地区9个县市的气温资料进行了统计分析,并对各县市适宜种植树种的范围进行了人工区划,在此基础上,运用SPSS 18.0软件进行Bayes判别分析,最终确定了阿克苏地区各个县市的适生树种。结果表明:对阿克苏地区各个县市特色林果树种种植影响最大的气温因素是早春极端最低气温,其次为冬季极端最低气温和早春平均最低气温,说明极端低温对果树生长起着关键作用。阿克苏地区适宜种植苹果的县有乌什、温宿、新和、库车;适宜种植香梨的县市有沙雅、阿瓦提、阿拉尔;红枣种植,除乌什、拜城"次适宜"外,其他几个县市均适宜种植;库车最适宜种植巴旦木;核桃种植,除拜城外其他几个县市均适宜种植;杏的种植,除拜城外,其他几个县市均适宜种植;阿月浑子在阿克苏地区的各个县市均不适宜种植;葡萄在沙雅、阿瓦提县均适宜种植。     

A stem taper equation compatible to volume equation for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paraserianthes falcataria </Emphasis>in Pare,East Java,Indonesia: its implications for the plantation management

A stem taper equation compatible to the volume equation was derived from the data of 172 trees sampled in the three plantations of Paraserianthes falcataria in Pare, East Java. The stem taper equation in this study was based on a conventional logarithmic volume equation, with the addition of one free parameter that minimized the standard errors of estimate to the observed diameter of stems at 1.0-m intervals. The derived equation was able to predict the stem taper of P. falcataria reasonably well, while it was not flexible enough to describe delicate changes of the taper in the upper portion of stem. The equation was able to predict bole length and the volume up to the top diameter 20 cm, the diameter size merchantable for sawn timber in Indonesia, with reasonable accuracy. An appropriate rotation age for sawn-timber production was found to be 8–9 years old, at which the mean annual increment of sawn timber would be maximized.     

A model for the relationship between branch number and biomass in Pinus sylvestris crowns and the effect of crown shape and stand density on branch and stem biomass

The branch biomass of young Scots pines (Pinus sylvestris L.) was inversely related to the branch number per projected crown area giving greater branch density and smaller branch biomass for narrow crowns than for broad crowns. In particular, in dense stands the small share of branches from the total biomass of narrow‐crowned trees was emphasized. The productivity of narrow crowned trees was, however, smaller than that of trees with broad crowns. The concept of the tree ideotype has been discussed on the basis of theoretical calculations.     

石家庄山区植物群落结构及物种多样性研究

通过对石家庄山区石包垴核桃楸林中调查所涉及到的27种植物的数量特征进行分析,发现核桃楸、细叶苔草、全叶紫堇等植物的重要值较高,在群落中占据明显优势。运用物种丰富度指数(S)、Shannon-Wie-ner多样性指数(H)、Sinpson多样性指数(D)、Pielou均匀度指数(Jsw、Jsi)指标,研究了该区的物种多样性,结果表明:丰富度指数和多样性指数均表现为:草本层>乔灌层,均匀度指数表现为:乔灌层(Jsw)>草本层(Jsw)。研究中对天然林和人工林物种多样性进行了比较,结果为草本层:天然林>人工林,乔灌层:人工林>天然林,总体多样性指数为:天然林>人工林。瑙基耶尔(Raunkiaer,1934)生活型谱分析结果为:地面芽植物为44.44%,占居优势地位,隐芽植物次之,为33.33%,高位芽植物和1年生草本植物较少,无地上芽植物。     

A reduced growth model based on stand basal area. A case for hybrid poplar plantations in northeast Spain

Whole-stand models normally require data on initial stand basal area and dominant height. Dominant height measurements are time-consuming and often imprecise, compromising subsequent predictions. Poplar plantations provide a special case where basal area correlates with site index; a whole-stand model could thus be based on stand basal area. We report a static model constructed by the generalized algebraic difference approach (GADA) for poplar plantations for three different hybrid poplars (Populus × euramericana (Dode) Guinier “I-214”, “MC”, and “Luisa Avanzo”) in northeast Spain. The transition function was based on current stand basal area and was fitted with data from 158 permanent plots ranging from 1- to 17-year-old plantations. Merchantable stand volume was estimated by a volume equation where height was predicted by a height–basal area relationship based on 458 temporary plots. The model differences between clones were compared using the nonlinear extra sum of squares method. Significant differences were detected, while Luisa Avanzo presented the highest merchantable volume at the end of the rotation. Errors in basal area predictions were below 20% within 6 years in the case of Luisa Avanzo and MC clones, and within 3 years in the case of I-214. Our research showed that satisfactory predictions can be obtained using GADA with a single transition function based on an easily measurable variable such as stand basal area.     

油松天然林与人工林物种丰富度及最小面积的比较研究

天然油松林与人工油松林物种结构等方面存在一定差异,其群落物种丰富度和最小面积也不同。本文对河北蔚县的天然次生油松林和人工油松林的物种丰富度及木本植物群落最小面积进行了探讨。结果表明,油松天然林乔木物种丰富度较人工林高,乔木幼苗幼树差距不大,灌木物种丰富度比人工林高,草本物种丰富度比人工林低。从总的物种组成来看,天然油松林与人工油松林具有较高的相似性。用8个模型对天然林和人工林木本植物种-面积曲线分别进行了拟合,并确定各自的最优模型,得出各取样比例时的最小面积。结果表明,当所取物种比例为0.6及以下时,天然林的最小面积小于人工林;而所取比例为0.7及以上时,天然林的最小面积大于人工林。     

Water consumption of a single tree from the main afforestation tree species in Western Shanxi Province, a loess area

Water is the key factor in vegetation growth in a loess area. Researchers have been keen on the study of tree transpiration for a long time. To provide a scientific basis and practical instruction for vegetation reconstruction and recovery in a loess area, the paper measured and calculated the water consumption of potted Platycladus orientalis, Robinia pseudoacacia, Armeniaca vulgaris and Pyrus hopeiensis separately during the growing season (from Apr. to Nov.). The four were the main afforestation species in a loess area of western Shanxi based on the principle of water balance. Using data on soil water dynamics and the range of available moisture on potted mature trees, the relationship between water supply and consumption and soil moisture availability and deficit state were analyzed. Several conclusions are listed as follows: 1) In the dry year (2002), during the growing season the precipitation was 430.7 mm and the water consumption of potted trees was from 430 to 490 mm. More water consumption and less available water supply occurred, showing a serious water deficiency. In the rainfall-rich year (2003), during the growing season the precipitation was 870.2 mm and the water consumption of potted trees was from 480 to 515 mm. Due to the uneven distribution of rainfall, the water budget balance was slightly affected in May and November. 2) The curves of soil water content of different species had similar annual changes, although the trends were different in the same month, and those of the same tree species in different test plots also had different trends in the same month. 3) Non-available soil water content of Platycladus orientalis, Robinia pseudoacacia, Armeniaca vulgaris and Pyrus hopeiensis was less than 8.0%, 8.4%, 9.2% and 9.7% respectively, which indicated that Pyrus orentalis used water more efficiently than the others. In the dry year (2002), for several months, soil water content of potted trees was lower than its threshold value for non-available soil water content, which could influence the healthy growth of trees. After supplements of precipitation of winter in the year and spring in the next year, soil water content was higher than the lower limit of soil readily available moisture content, which implied that a balance between inter-annual water supply and consumption could be maintained. __________ Translated from Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 2006, 42(9): 18–23 [译自: 林业科学]     

Comparison of model forms for estimating stem taper and volume in the primary conifer species of the North American Acadian Region

? The performance of ten commonly used taper equations for predicting both stem form and volume in balsam fir [Abies balsamea (L.) Mill], red spruce[Picea rubens (Sarg.)], and white pine[Pinus strobus (L.)] in the Acadian Region of North America was investigated.

? Results show that the Kozak (2004) and Bi (2000) equations were superior to the other equations in predicting diameter inside bark for red spruce and white pine, while the Valentine and Gregoire (2001) equation performed slightly better for balsam fir.

? For stem volume, the Clark et al. (1991) equation provided the best predictions across all species when upper stem diameter measurements were available, while the Kozak (2004) and compatible taper equation of Fang et al. (2000) performed well when those measurements were unavailable.

? The incorporation of crown variables substantially improved stem volume predictions (mean absolute bias reduction of 7–15%; root mean square error reduction of 10–15%) for all three species, but had little impact on stem form predictions.

? The best taper equation reduced the predicted root mean square error by 16, 39, and 45% compared to estimates from the widely used Honer (1965) regional stem volume equations for balsam fir, red spruce, and white pine, respectively.

? When multiple taper equations exist for a certain species, the use of the geometric mean of all predictions is an attractive alternative to selecting the “best” equation.

     

浙江天童国家森林公园常绿阔叶林主要组成树种材积与生物量相关关系探讨

以天童国家森林公园常绿阔叶林主要组成树种为研究对象,通过测定其各组分生物量,建立了实测生物量与材积之间的回归模型,结果表明:主要组成树种各组分生物量与其材积之间存在着密切的相关关系,各主要树种材积与生物量的回归模型存在差异;回归方程精度较高,用于根据地区常绿阔叶林主要树种材积推算其生物量是可行的。     

Relationship between landslides and lithology in the Three Gorges Reservoir area based on GIS and information value model

Development of landslides in the Three Gorges Reservoir area is related to many factors. Lithology is one of the indispensable internal factors, besides relative height differences, slope gradients and slope profiles. We used an information value model with geographical information system (GIS) technology to study how lithology contributes to the development of landslides from the Yunyang to Wushan segment in the Three Gorges Reservoir area and we quantify the relationship between lithology and development of landslides. Via an investigation of 205 examples of past landslides, we found that the lithology of J_3s, J_3p and T_2b contributes most. Our research results can provide a valid basis for future construction in the Three Gorges Reservoir area. __________ Translated from Journal of Beijing Forestry University, 2007, 29(6): 138–142 [译自: 北京林业大学学报]     

Effects of commercial thinning,log position in the stem,and cutting width on the surface quality of cants produced by a chipper-canter

Fifteen stems of jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) of 3 commercial thinned plots (control, moderate, and intensive thinning) and 15 stems of black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P), both coming from the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region – Canada, were cross-cut into three 2.4?m length sections: bottom, middle, and top logs. Logs were processed with a chipper-canter at three cutting widths (12.7, 19.1, and 25.4?mm), producing chips and a three-faced cant. The middle section of the cant was used to evaluate surface quality across the grain on each face. Roughness and waviness parameters and depth of torn grain were recorded. Knot characteristics were assessed in the three cant faces. Poorer surface quality was found in the lower part compared to the upper part of the cant for both species. At larger cutting widths, jack pine logs coming from a natural stand showed lower surface quality compared to logs from thinned stands. Black spruce waviness increased with the cutting width and stem height. These results were attributed to the increase of forces and vibration when cutting at larger cutting widths, which was worsened by the presence of bigger, more numerous knots at the control plot and in the top logs. Black spruce had deeper torn grain compared to jack pine. Their differences in knot characteristics resulted in a maximum torn grain depth favored by the presence of more knots rather than by bigger knot size. Other knot characteristics, such as the position of the knots in the cant face, the insertion angle of the branch and the distribution of the knots around the log, should be studied to better understand the relationship between torn grain formation and knottiness.     

云南13种乡土绿化树种对SO2、NO2气体反应的研究

采用人工模拟熏气的方法,研究了13种云南乡土绿化树种对城市SO2、NO2有害气体的反应.结果表明云南红豆杉、长梗润楠、翠柏、滇润楠、麻栗坡含笑、南亚含笑、山玉兰对SO2气体的抗性弱,而云南含笑、脉叶虎皮楠、川滇三角枫对SO2气体的抗性最强,灯台树、川滇三角枫净化SO2的能力较强,其净化量分别为300mg·kg-1、700 mg·kg-1.NO2浓度为1.0 mg·m-3时,长梗润楠、云南含笑、云南拟单性木兰、云南红豆杉、麻栗坡含笑、灯台树叶片的N净化量依次为2 000 mg·kg-1、1 100 mg·kg-1、1 700 mg·kg-1、2 300 mg·kg-1、1 200 mg·kg-1、13 100 mg·kg-1.经综合比较川滇三角枫对SO2气体具有较好的抗性和净化能力,而对NO2气体具有较好的抗性;云南含笑、云南拟单性木兰、脉叶虎皮楠等树种对SO2、NO2气体具有较好的抗性和净化能力.     

浅谈伐区设计出材和实际出材差值产生的原因和解决办法

本文针对森工企业伐区设计出材和实际出材存在的差值 ,通过调查和核查等手段 ,找出了问题存在的原因和解决办法     

黄土高原刺槐细根生长模型的建立

林木根系垂直分布研究对于揭示根系生长对土壤水分的影响具有重要意义。通过数学模型描述根系的分布特征是研究根系在土壤中分布格局的有效方式。国内外虽然在这方面取得了许多研究结果,但大部分都是指数函数、幂函数、对数函数或多项式模型,难以反映细根特征值随土壤深度变化的状况     

金沙江干热河谷区退耕还林适宜造林树种筛选研究

金沙江干热河谷上段退耕还林区适宜造林树种筛选结果:甜酸角、山毛豆、苏门答腊金合欢、新银合欢、久树、印度黄檀等适宜在海拔1400m以下地带造林,构树、木豆、坡柳、余甘子、川楝等适宜在海拔1600m以下地带造林,山合欢、黑荆树、墨西哥柏、干香柏等适宜在海拔1400～1600m地带造林。木豆、坡柳、山毛豆等可进行直播造林,山合欢、黑荆树、川楝、苏门答腊金合欢、新银合欢、久树等采用百日容器苗造林,甜酸角、墨西哥柏、干香柏、印度黄檀等采用1年生容器大苗造林效果更好。块状整地(规格40cm×40cm×40cm),施有机肥加一定量的N、P肥作基肥,塘底施放高丙体粉防治白蚁危害,于雨季初期择时取苗造林,造林后应防止种植塘积水。造林苗木选用充分木质化的粗大壮苗;造林后和雨季中、后期及时清除种植塘周围杂草。     

Species differences in total and vertical distribution of branch- and tree-level leaf area for the five primary conifer species in Maine, USA

Vertical distribution of leaf area largely governs both tree structure and function. Models of this important tree attribute have been constructed for several commercially important conifers. However, a limited number of studies have compared alternative modeling techniques and inherent species differences. This study used several existing datasets for the five primary conifer species in Maine, namely balsam fir [Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.], northern white-cedar [Thuja occidentalis (L.)], eastern hemlock [Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carr.], eastern white pine [Pinus strobus (L.)], and red spruce [Picea rubens (Sarg.)] to examine species variation in total and vertical distribution of projected leaf area at the individual branch- and tree-levels. In addition, multiple methods for modeling the vertical distribution of leaf area were examined across the species. For a given branch diameter and location within the crown, eastern hemlock branches held the greatest amount of leaf area, followed by balsam fir, northern white-cedar, white pine, and red spruce. At the tree-level, eastern white pine held the greatest amount of leaf area followed by eastern hemlock, balsam fir, red spruce, and northern white-cedar for a given tree size. Across species, the two-parameter, right-truncated Weibull distribution performed the best for predicting vertical distribution of leaf area when compared to the four-parameter beta and Johnson's S_B distributions (reduction of root mean square error of 1.7–21.1%). Northern white-cedar had a relative distribution of leaf area distinctly different than other species in this study with a mode shifted towards the upper crown. In contrast to red spruce and white pine, the mode of the relative distribution of leaf area for balsam fir and eastern hemlock occurred lower in the crown. Results of this study suggest that differences in total and vertical distribution of leaf area exist between species, but significant amounts of their variation are largely accounted for by bole and crown size.