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Stem taper functions for maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.) in Galicia (Northwestern Spain)

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Abstract

A total of 31 taper functions from 3 different groups of models (single, segmented and variable-form taper functions) were fitted to diameter-height data from 203 Pinus pinaster trees sampled across even-aged stands in Galicia (northwestern Spain). Most of the taper functions analyzed showed problems of multicollinearity as indicated by the condition number. A second-order autoregressive CAR(2) error process was incorporated into the models to minimize the effect of autocorrelation inherent in the longitudinal data used, and to provide valid tests of significance for model parameter estimates. In general, variable-form taper functions provided the most accurate predictions. The flexibility and predictive performance of the variable-form model developed by Kozak (For Chron 80(4):507–515, 2004) indicated its usefulness for estimating diameter at a specific height, merchantable volume, and total volume of Maritime pine in the study area.

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Acknowledgements

The research reported in this paper was financially supported by the Spanish “Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología” through project AGL2001-3871-C02-01 (“Crecimiento y evolución de masas de pinar en Galicia”), and by the “Dirección Xeral de Investigación e Desenvolvemento” (“Xunta de Galicia”) within the programme of grants for research stays in foreign institutions. We also thank two anonymous referees for their suggestions and useful comments and Dr. Christine Francis for revising the English grammar of the text.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ingeniería Agroforestal, Escuela Politécnica Superior, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Campus universitario s/n, 27002, Lugo, Spain

    A. Rojo, X. Perales & J. G. Álvarez-González

  2. Department of Producción Vegetal, Escuela Politécnica Superior, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Campus universitario s/n, 27002, Lugo, Spain

    F. Sánchez-Rodríguez

  3. Institut für Waldinventur und Waldwachstum, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Busgenweg 5, 37077, Gottingen, Germany

    K. von Gadow

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  1. A. Rojo
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  2. X. Perales
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  3. F. Sánchez-Rodríguez
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  4. J. G. Álvarez-González
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  5. K. von Gadow
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Correspondence to A. Rojo.

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Communicated by Hans Pretzsch

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Rojo, A., Perales, X., Sánchez-Rodríguez, F. et al. Stem taper functions for maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.) in Galicia (Northwestern Spain). Eur J Forest Res 124, 177–186 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-005-0066-6

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