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Comparison of selected statistical distributions for modelling the diameter distributions in near-natural Abies–Fagus forests in the Świętokrzyski National Park (Poland)

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Abstract

The aim of the study is to compare selected theoretical distributions (normal, lognormal, Weibull, gamma, logistic, and exponential) in describing the tree diameter (DBH) distributions of mixed near-natural forests consisting of fir Abies alba Mill. and beech Fagus sylvatica L. growing in various vertical structures. Tree DBH data were collected between 1997 and 2008 from 51 sample plots established in the Świętokrzyski National Park in Poland. The empirical data represent differentiated DBH distributions, ranging from almost symmetric to extremely asymmetric ones. The chi-square test and the modified Kolmogorov–Smirnov test were chosen for the goodness-of-fit testing. In addition to the test statistics, the bias (B), the root mean square error (RMSE) and the graphical method (quantile–quantile plots) were used. In one-storied stands, the most suitable distributions were the normal and logistic distributions; in two-storied and multilayered stands, the Weibull and gamma distribution were the most suitable; and in selection stands, the exponential distribution was the most appropriate to describe the DBH distribution. The order of precision of the tested distributions (from the highest to the lowest) was Weibull, gamma, logistic, normal, exponential, and lognormal. The normal and exponential distribution should be applied only to one-storied and selection forests, respectively. The least suitable distribution for DBH distribution modelling was the lognormal one.

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Acknowledgments

The corrections and suggestions of the editor and anonymous reviewers greatly improved the quality of the paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General Biology and Nature Protection, Institute of Biology, Jan Kochanowski University, ul. Świętokrzyska 15, 25-406, Kielce, Poland

    Rafał Podlaski

  2. Division of Dendrometry and Forest Productivity, Faculty of Forestry, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, ul. Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland

    Michał Zasada

  3. ul. Zdrojowa 16, 25-336, Kielce, Poland

    Rafał Podlaski

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  1. Rafał Podlaski
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  2. Michał Zasada
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Correspondence to Rafał Podlaski.

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Communicated by H. Pretzsch.

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Podlaski, R., Zasada, M. Comparison of selected statistical distributions for modelling the diameter distributions in near-natural Abies–Fagus forests in the Świętokrzyski National Park (Poland). Eur J Forest Res 127, 455–463 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-008-0229-3

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