Compatible Volume-Taper Models for Loblolly and Slash Pine Based on a System with Segmented-Stem Form Factors

By Zixing Fang, B. Borders, R. Bailey. Forestry sciences, 2000

162 citations recorded by the source corpus.

By integrating a variable-form differential equation for taper, a segmented-stem system of models involving a taper equation, merchantable volume equation, and total stem volume equation results. Through the constraints imposed on the coefficients of integration, the taper model is continuous at the inflection points, and all components in the system are compatible with each other. Models are derived for a bole with two inflection points, but the constant form factor model (no inflection point) and one inflection point segmented model can be obtained as special cases by substituting appropriate parameters directly into this more general model. All parameters are shared by the components in this compatible system. Simultaneous parameter estimation techniques are used so that all appropriate information is obtained from the data. Based on stem analysis data for 1,280 loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) trees and 871 slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm.) trees, improved predictions result with respect to predicting a stem profile when compared to a constant form factor model. For. Sci. 46(1):1-12.

Subfields: Global and Planetary Change, Mechanical Engineering, Nature and Landscape Conservation

View Paper: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/040fbde72ac8f7c50d2de3168cc2cf8c4922ee24

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In Global and Planetary Change

In Mechanical Engineering

In Nature and Landscape Conservation

Citations in the corpus

Regional stem taper equations for eleven conifer species in the Acadian Region of North America: development and assessment. (2012, methodology): “…Kozak (2004) equation is less biased than other widely used taper equations, such as the segmented equation (Clark et al. 1991), the volume compatible equation (Fang et al. 2000), and the cubic taper equation (Goodwin 2009), as well as several volume equation forms, including Honer (1965, 1967).”
Modeling Forest Trees and Stands (2012, methodology): “In another instance, Fang et al. (2000) described tree profiles by combining three segments and using a segmented-stem taper model based on a variableform differential equation.”
Forest Growth and Yield Modeling (2011, background): “Compatible taper equations provide an alternative approach because their volume integrations are constrained to match a volume equation (Bailey, 1994; Fang et al., 2000), while providing accurate predictions of stem form (Di eguez-Aranda et al.”
Compatible taper function for Scots pine plantations in northwestern Spain (2006, methodology): “Some include a volume equation to or above any specified height or diameter limit (Goulding and Murray 1976; Fang and Bailey 1999; Fang et al. 2000).”
Compatible taper and volume equations for yellow-poplar in West Virginia (2005, background): “…forms have been developed over the past 100 years from simple taper functions (Behre 1923, Kozak et al. 1969, Demaerschalk 1972, Ormerod 1973, Hilt 1980) to more complex segmented forms (Max and Burkhart 1976, Demaerschalk and Kozak 1977, Cao et al. 1980, Clark et al. 1991, Fang et al. 2000).”