GENERALIZED HEIGHT-DIAMETER MODELS WITH RANDOM EFFECTS FOR NATURAL FORESTS OF CENTRAL MEXICO

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Ernesto Alonso Rubio Camacho
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3464-363X
Sacramento Corral Rivas
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7624-0623
Juan Antonio López Hernández
Álvaro Agustín Chávez Durán
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9600-3833
Jaqueline Xelhuantzi Carmona
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5756-8279
Jürgen Nagel
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3641-5905

Abstract

Background: Tree height is an important variable in forestry, it is commonly used to estimate volume, biomass, and to evaluate site productivity. In this study, we developed four generalized equations to model the height-diameter (h-d) relationships for coniferous and broadleaf species. For this purpose, we used information from 49 permanent sampling plots located in natural forests of northwestern Puebla, Mexico. Non-linear fixed and mixed-effects modeling approaches were used to fit generalized versions of the Gompertz function to Pinus patula and Pinus group; Näslund function to Abies religiosa; and Curtis function to Quercus group.


Results: Stand variables included in the models were the number of trees per hectare (N), quadratic mean diameter (dg), and basal area per hectare (G). The results showed a R2 = 0.91 and RMSE = 2.04 for P. patula and R2 = 0.91, RMSE = 1.63 for Pinus group. The R2 and a RMSE for Abies religiosa were 0.88 and 2.21, while for the Quercus group these values were 0.72 and 1.9, respectively. From the mixed-effects model calibration, only a sub-sample of three trees is required to make accurate predictions. None of the selected models include stand-level variables related to tree height and do not require additional measurements additional to tree diameter.


Conclusion: Compared to conventional non-linear least squares (ONLS), mixed-effects models are more flexible, accurate, and represent a new tool for sustainable forest management of natural forests in the study area.

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Author Biographies

Ernesto Alonso Rubio Camacho, INIFAP

Institution: Campo Experimental Centro Altos de Jalisco, INIFAP-CIRPAC.

Address: Biodiversidad 2470, Tepatitlán, Jalisco, México. Z.C. 47600.

Sacramento Corral Rivas, Instituto Tecnológico de El Salto

Institution: Instituto Tecnológico de El Salto, Durango

Address: Calle Tecnológico #101, Col. La Forestal, Z.C. 34946. El Salto, P.N., Dgo

Juan Antonio López Hernández

Address: José Rosas Aispuro N. 109, Col el Alacrán 109, Z.C. 34037, Durango, México.

Álvaro Agustín Chávez Durán, INIFAP

Institution: Campo Experimental Centro Altos de Jalisco, INIFAP-CIRPAC.

Address: Biodiversidad 2470, Tepatitlán, Jalisco, México. Z.C. 47600.

Jaqueline Xelhuantzi Carmona, INIFAP

Institution: Campo Experimental Centro Altos de Jalisco, INIFAP-CIRPAC.

Address: Biodiversidad 2470, Tepatitlán, Jalisco, México. Z.C. 47600.

Jürgen Nagel, Department Ecoinformatics, Biometrics & Forest Growth.Georg-August University of Goettingen.

Address: Büsgenweg 4. Z.C. 37077 Goettingen, Germany.