Southern Research Station Headquarters - Asheville, NC
Main Logo of Southern Research Station, Stating: Southern Research Station - Asheville, NC, with a saying of 'Science you can use!'
[Images] Five photos of different landscape

Publication Information

Mail this page  

Title: Potential relative increment (PRI): a new method to empirically derive optimal tree diameter growth
Author(s): Bragg, Don C
Date: 2001
Source: Ecological Modelling. 137: 77-92.
Description: Potential relative increment (PRI) is a new method to derive optimal diameter growth equations using inventory information from a large public database. Optimal growth equations for 24 species were developed using plot and tree records from several states (Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin) of the North Central US. Most species were represented by thousands of individuals measured across an extensive geographic region that presumably covered a large range of possible environmental conditions. Thus, it was assumed that the individuals growing at the highest rate for each diameter class represented a reasonable estimate of size-specific optimal growth. Comparison of PRI equations among several hardwood and conifer species of differing shade tolerance indicated that unique patterns of optimal diameter growth result. The PRI methodology is similar to other optimal growth models in both shape and trends of predicted growth, but is easier to calculate and offers more flexibility than many other designs.
View and Print this Publication (477 KB)
Publication Notes:
  • We recommend that you also print this page and attach it to the printout of the article, to retain the full citation information.
  • This article was written and prepared by U.S. Government employees on official time, and is therefore in the public domain.
  • Our on-line publications are scanned and captured using Adobe Acrobat. During the capture process some typographical errors may occur. Please contact the SRS Webmaster, srswebmaster@fs.fed.us if you notice any errors which make this publication unuseable.
[ Get Acrobat ] Get the latest version of the Adobe Acrobat reader or Acrobat Reader for Windows with Search and Accessibility




Publication Links:

FIA Resource Bulletins

Publications Search


Search for on-line publications
containing the following:

 


(Uncheck this box to search all R&D Publications.)

Small logo of the USDASmall logo of the Forest Service