Comparisons of modeled height predictions to ocular height estimates

W.A. Bechtold; S.J. Zarnoch; W.G. Burkman

Comparisons of modeled height predictions to ocular height estimates

Informally Refereed

Authors:

W.A. Bechtold, S.J. Zarnoch, W.G. Burkman

Year:

1998

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Southern Research Station

Source:

Southern Journal of Applied Forestry. 22(4): 216-221.

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Abstract

Equations used by USDA Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis projects to predict individual tree heights on the basis of species and d.b.h. were improved by the addition of mean overstory height. However, ocular estimates of total height by field crews were more accurate than the statistically improved models, especially for hardwood species. Height predictions from the improved equations attained the desired measurement quality objective only 57 percent of the time, while ocular estimates achieved the desired accuracy 75 percent of the time.

Citation

Bechtold, W.A.; Zarnoch, S.J.; Burkman, W.G. 1998. Comparisons of modeled height predictions to ocular height estimates. Southern Journal of Applied Forestry. 22(4): 216-221.