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Modeling Forest Trees and Stands pp 261–297Cite as

Diameter-Distribution Models for Even-Aged Stands

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Abstract

Overall stand volume is sufficient for many purposes, but effective forest management and planning often requires information about the distribution of volume by size and product classes. This chapter provides an in-depth treatment of techniques for estimating yields by size class using a distribution function approach. In typical applications, the total number of trees per unit area is distributed through the use of a probability density function, which provides the relative frequency of trees by diameters. Mean total tree heights are predicted for trees of given diameters growing under specified stand conditions. Volume per diameter class is calculated by substituting the predicted mean tree heights and the diameter class midpoints into tree volume equations. Yield estimates are obtained by summing the diameter classes of interest. Detailed treatment is provided on selecting a distribution function, characterizing diameter distributions using parameter prediction and parameter recovery, modeling height-diameter relationships, and predicting unit area tree survival.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Forestry, Virginia Tech, Cheatham Hall 319, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA

    Harold E. Burkhart

  2. Instituto Superior de Agronomia DRAT, Universidade Técnica de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, Lisboa, Portugal

    Margarida Tomé

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Burkhart, H.E., Tomé, M. (2012). Diameter-Distribution Models for Even-Aged Stands. In: Modeling Forest Trees and Stands. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-3170-9_12

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