A volume change index for forest growth and sustainability

Authors: Van deusen, Paul C.; Roesch, Francis A.

Source: Forestry, Volume 82, Number 3, 20 July 2009 , pp. 315-322(8)

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Abstract:

A volume change index is suggested that is derived from growth components that can be estimated from remeasured plots. The new index incorporates more information than the traditional growth over removals ratio. The new index directly indicates whether the standing volume will be increasing or decreasing if current conditions persist, whereas the ratio of growth over removals obscures the impact of mortality. The details of estimating the components of growth are discussed with regard to interpreting the new index. The effect of spatial scale on the index is explored and a variance estimator is suggested. The new index is estimated from US Department of Agriculture Forest Service annual inventory data for two example applications. The first application looks at spatial trends in the index. The second application applies the index to a mill working circle.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/forestry/cpp014

Publication date: 2009-07-20

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Forestry publishes refereed papers on all aspects of research, practice and policy that promote the sustainable development of forests, woodlands and trees. In considering suitability for publication attention is given to both the originality of contributions and their practical application. Preference is usually given to work undertaken in the temperate and/or boreal zones; only articles of exceptional merit from tropical zones will also be considered.