An Individual-Tree Mortality Model for Complex Stands of Southeastern British Columbia

Authors: Temesgen, Hailemariam¹; Mitchell, Stephen J.²

Source: Western Journal of Applied Forestry, Volume 20, Number 2, April 2005 , pp. 101-109(9)

Publisher: Society of American Foresters

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $29.50 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

An individual-tree mortality model was developed for major tree species in complex stands (multi-cohort, multiaged, and mixed species) of southeastern British Columbia (BC), Canada. Data for 29,773 trees were obtained from permanent sample plots established in BC. Average annual diameter increment and mortality rates ranged from 0.08 to 0.17 cm/year and from 0.3 to 2.6%, respectively. Approximately 70% of the trees were used for model development and 30% for model evaluation. After evaluating the model, all 29,773 trees were used to fit the final model. A generalized logistic model was used to relate mortality to tree size, competition, and relative position of trees in a stand. The evaluation test demonstrated that the model appears to be well behaved and robust for the tree species considered in this study. For the eight tree species, the average deviation between observed and predicted annual mortality rates varied from −0.5 to 0.7% in the test data. West. J. Appl. For. 20(2):101–109.

Keywords: Multi-aged stands; competition index; basal area in larger trees; survival; environmental management; forest; forest management; forest resources; forestry; forestry research; forestry science; natural resources; natural resource management

Document Type: Regular article

Affiliations: 1: Assistant Professor Department of Forest Resources College of Forestry Corvallis OR 97333 Phone: (541) 737-8549;, Fax: (541) 737-3049, Email: hailemariam.temesgen@oregonstate.edu 2: Associate Professor Faculty of Forestry University of British Columbia 2045-2424 Main Mall Vancouver BC Canada V6T 1Z4

Publication date: 2005-04-01

More about this publication?