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Variables influencing cork thickness in Spanish cork oak forests: A modelling approach

Variables influençant l’épaisseur du liège dans les forêts de chênes-lièges espagnoles: une proposition de modélisation

Annals of Forest Science volume 64, pages 301–312 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

In this study, we evaluate the influence of different variables on cork thickness in cork oak forests. For this purpose, first we fitted a multilevel linear mixed model for predicting average cork thickness, and then identified the explanatory covariates by studying their possible correlation with random effects. The model for predicting average cork thickness is described as a stochastic process, where a fixed, deterministic model, explains the mean value, while unexplained residual variability is described and modelled by including random parameters acting at plot, tree, plot × cork harvest and residual within-tree levels, considering the spatial covariance structure between trees within the same plot. Calibration is carried out by using the best linear unbiased predictor (BLUP) theory. Different alternatives were tested to determine the optimum subsample size which was found to be appropriate at four trees. Finally, the model was applied and its performance in the estimation of cork production was tested and compared with the cork weight model traditionally used in Spain.

Résumé

Dans cette étude, nous avons mesuré l’influence de diverses variables sur l’épaisseur du liège des forêts de chênes-lièges. Dans ce but nous avons d’abord appliqué un modèle linéaire mixte pour prédire l’épaisseur moyenne du liège, et on a alors identifié les co-variables explicatives pour expliquer leur possible corrélation avec des effets aléatoire. Le modèle prédisant l’épaisseur moyenne du liège peut être décrit comme un processus stochastique où un modèle fixe et déterministe explique la valeur moyenne, tandis qu’une variabilité résiduelle inexpliquée est décrite et modélisée par l’inclusion de paramètres aléatoires relevant de la parcelle, de l’arbre, de la récolte de liège par parcelle et aux niveaux résiduels des arbres prenant en compte la covariance de la structure spatiale entre les arbres d’une même parcelle. Le calibrage a été réalisé en employant la théorie BLUP (Best linear unbiased predictor ou Meilleur prédicteur linéaire non biaisé) On a essayé différentes options pour trouver la dimension optimale de l’échantillon et on a trouvé qu’il était opportun d’utiliser quatre arbres par parcelles. Finalement le modèle a été appliqué pour calculer la production de liège et a été comparé avec le poids de liège obtenu avec le modèle employé d’habitude en Espagne.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro de Investigatón Forestal, INIA, Ctra. de La Coruña, km 7,5, 28040, Madrid, Spain

    Mariola Sánchez-González, Rafael Calama, Isabel Cañellas & Gregorio Montero

Authors
  1. Mariola Sánchez-González
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  2. Rafael Calama
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  3. Isabel Cañellas
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  4. Gregorio Montero
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Correspondence to Mariola Sánchez-González.

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Sánchez-González, M., Calama, R., Cañellas, I. et al. Variables influencing cork thickness in Spanish cork oak forests: A modelling approach. Ann. For. Sci. 64, 301–312 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1051/forest:2007007

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Annals of Forest Science

ISSN: 1297-966X