Longleaf pine plantations: Growth and yield modeling in an ecosystem restoration context

Abstract

Restoration of longleaf pine within its historical range is actively conducted by private individuals and public agencies due to the inherent beauty of the ecosystem and the suitability as habitat for red cockaded woodpeckers and other wildlife. Managers of land restored to longleaf pine desire models that will allow long-term projections to facilitate management decisions. Managers of restored ecosystems typically desire to predict the dynamics of more than just the trees; understory vegetation, wildlife, fuels, and the effects of fire are pertinent to managers of longleaf pine. Modeling a rare ecosystem is hindered due to inadequate data covering a range of conditions and ages. Typically, plantations do not exist that approach the planned rotation age. Thus, any forest model will typically be greatly extrapolated. New diagnostics are described that suggest suitability of a model for extrapolation. These diagnostics may also be used as general goodness of fit diagnostics. If data from old plantations are lacking, older natural stands may be used to supplement the data.

Citation

Goelz, J.C.G. 2001. Longleaf pine plantations: Growth and yield modeling in an ecosystem restoration context. LeMay, V.; Marshall, P., eds. Proceedings of the Forest Modeling for Ecosystem Management, Forest Certification and Sustainable Management Conference; 2001 August 12-2001 August 17; Vancouver, Canada. 219-232. Vancouver, BC, Canada: Forest Resources Management Department, University of British Columbia