In:
Journal of Forestry Research, Springer Science and Business Media LLC, Vol. 32, No. 2 ( 2021-04), p. 529-541
Abstract:
Accurate prediction of stem diameter is an important prerequisite of forest management. In this study, an appropriate stem taper function was developed for upper stem diameter estimation of white birch ( Betula platyphylla Sukaczev) in ten sub-regions of the Daxing’an Mountains, northeast China. Three commonly used taper functions were assessed using a diameter and height dataset comprising 1344 trees. A first-order continuous-time error structure accounted for the inherent autocorrelation. The segmented model of Max and Burkhart (For Sci 22:283–289, 1976. 10.1093/forestscience/22.3.283 ) and the variable exponent taper function of Kozak (For Chron 80:507–515, 2004. 10.5558/tfc80507-4 ) described the data accurately. Owing to its lower multicollinearity, the Max and Burkhart (1976) model is recommended for diameter estimation at specific heights along the stem for the ten sub-regions. After comparison, the Max and Burkhart (1976) model was refitted using nonlinear mixed-effects techniques. Mixed-effects models would be used only when additional upper stem diameter measurements are available for calibration. Differences in region-specific taper functions were indicated by the method of the non-linear extra sum of squares. Therefore, the particular taper function should be adjusted accordingly for each sub-region in the Daxing’an Mountains.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1007-662X
,
1993-0607
DOI:
10.1007/s11676-020-01152-4
Language:
English
Publisher:
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Publication Date:
2021
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2299615-1
SSG:
23
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