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Increased uniformity by planting clones will likely have a minimal effect on inventory costs

Informally Refereed

Abstract

When conducting inventories, reducing variability among tree diameters, heights, and ultimately volumes or biomass, can reduce the number of points/plots needed to obtain a desired level of precision. We present a simple analysis examining the potential reduction in discounted inventory costs when stand variability is decreased (via improved genetics and intensive management on a uniform soil). Sampling time might be reduced if the coefficient of variation in point volume/biomass estimates is reduced to 10% (versus 25% for genetically diverse stands). However, if this level of variability could be achieved (and depending on the desired probability and allowable percent error) discounted costs might be only reduced by $0.50 per acre for a single inventory (when a 15% error is used). When four inventories are made across a rotation (at ages 10 to 25 years) with a goal of 5% error, total discounted savings might be $20 to $30 per acre. On some very uniform sites, stands with low variability may only need one inventory plot per 25 acres. Although clones (in theory) might reduce variability, microsite conditions within a plantation will always produce variability among plots/points.

Parent Publication

Citation

VanderSchaaf, Curtis L.; Coble, Dean W.; South, David B. 2012. Increased uniformity by planting clones will likely have a minimal effect on inventory costs. In: Butnor, John R., ed. 2012. Proceedings of the 16th biennial southern silvicultural research conference. e-Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-156. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 359-362.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/41527