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A tree distance-dependent growth and yield model for naturally regenerated pure uneven-aged maritime pine stands in central inland of Portugal

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Abstract

Context

Maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Aiton) is one of the most important Portuguese species, growing in pure stands ranging from even-aged to multi-aged structures. Current growth and yield models were developed only for even-aged, managed stands and/or for very specific regions of Portugal.

Aims

This paper focuses on the validation of the existing size-class model PBRAVO, adapted to even-aged stands, and on the subsequent development of a single tree distance-dependent growth and yield model (PBIRROL), both in distance-independent and distance-dependent versions, for uneven-aged stands.

Methods

The new model is composed of four modules, each with a set of sub-models for: tree variable prediction, tree volume prediction, future tree list prediction and growth projection.

Results

The evaluation of the PBRAVO and PBIRROL models showed that the new model gives more accurate predictions. Moreover, medium-term simulations provided consistent and logical predictions.

Conclusion

It was verified that individual tree models are more suited to simulate poorly managed uneven-aged stands than diameter distribution models. No clear superiority of distance-dependent models was found over models using just distance-independent measures of inter-tree competition.

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Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge the anonymous reviewers whose suggestions greatly improved the manuscript. Additionally thanks are due to Isabele Salavessa, English lecturer, who proofread this article.

Funding

This work was financed by the research projects PAMAF nº 8164: “Regeneração, condução e crescimento do pinhal bravo das regiões litoral e interior centro” and PRAXIS XXI nº 3/3.2/FLO/2120/95: “Valorização do Pinhal Bravo—intensificação cultural, modelação do crescimento, da produção e da qualidade do material lenhoso, gestão e planeamento estratégico”.

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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Cristina Alegria.

Additional information

Handling Editor: Jean Daniel Bontemps

Contribution of the co-author

Margarida Tomé: supervising the work

Appendices

Appendix 1

Table 9 PBIRROL model—sub-models for tree variables prediction (tree height, height index, tree age and average tree crown ratio)

Appendix 2

Table 10 PBIRROL model—sub-models for tree volume prediction over bark (tree volume, tree volume ratio to any top merchantable limit and tree bole diameters)

Appendix 3

Table 11 PBIRROL model—sub-models for future tree list prediction (recruitment, mortality and harvesting)

Appendix 4

Table 12 PBIRROL model—sub-models for growth projection (annual tree diameter growth in both distance-dependent and distance-independent versions and dominant height growth)

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Alegria, C., Tomé, M. A tree distance-dependent growth and yield model for naturally regenerated pure uneven-aged maritime pine stands in central inland of Portugal. Annals of Forest Science 70, 261–276 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13595-012-0262-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13595-012-0262-8

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