Tree height predictions for black pine plantations using nonlinear mixed-effects modeling

KARATEPE Y., Maden E., ÖZÇELİK R.

Fresenius Environmental Bulletin, vol.29, no.6, pp.4556-4565, 2020 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 29 Issue: 6
  • Publication Date: 2020
  • Journal Name: Fresenius Environmental Bulletin
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Aerospace Database, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, Aqualine, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), CAB Abstracts, Chemical Abstracts Core, Communication Abstracts, Environment Index, Geobase, Greenfile, Metadex, Pollution Abstracts, Veterinary Science Database, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Page Numbers: pp.4556-4565
  • Keywords: Accuracy and precision, Diameter, Height model, Mixed-effects, Plantation
  • Isparta University of Applied Sciences Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Height-diameter relationships are key component in tree and stand volume estimation and stand description and also management tool for forest managers. In this study, height-diameter models were developed for black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold.) plantations in Western Mediterranean Region of Turkey using the Gompertz model. Three alternative methods were evaluated: (1) fixed-effects model, (2) adjusted fixed-effects, and (3) mixedeffects model using two-fold evaluation procedure. Parameters of the adjusted fixed-effects and mixedeffects models were then calibrated using a subset of height measurements, ranging from 1 to 10 sample trees per plot. Evaluation statistics show that the mixed-effects model vastly improved height predictions compared to other models. Model performance improved with increasing sample size to calibration. However, a sample of two trees per plot seemed to be a good compromise between sampling cost and prediction accuracy and precision for Black pine plantations in Mediterranean Region of Turkey.