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Related Experiment Videos

Volume growth and survival graphs: a method for evaluating process-based forest growth models.

Risto Sievänen1, Marcus Lindner, Annikki Mäkelä

  • 1Vantaa Research Centre, Finnish Forest Research Institute, Vantaa, Finland.

Tree Physiology
|March 26, 2003
PubMed
Summary

Relative volume growth and survival graphs (VGSs) effectively evaluate forest growth models by comparing model predictions against field measurements. Discrepancies indicate potential inaccuracies in predicting tree size distribution over time.

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Area of Science:

  • Forest Ecology
  • Quantitative Silviculture
  • Ecological Modeling

Background:

  • Understanding forest stand dynamics requires accurate modeling of individual tree growth and mortality.
  • Existing forest growth models are complex and require robust validation methods.
  • Tree size is a critical factor influencing both growth rate and mortality risk within a stand.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and validate a method for assessing the accuracy of individual-tree forest growth models.
  • To investigate the relationship between tree size, growth rate, and mortality risk in forest stands.
  • To introduce Relative Volume Growth and Relative Survival Graphs (VGSs) as a novel evaluation tool.

Main Methods:

  • Plotted tree size-specific stem volume growth rate and mortality risk relative to the largest tree in the stand.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Generated VGSs from both individual-tree growth model outputs and consecutive field measurements.
  • Analyzed VGSs using data from Scots pine in Finland and beech in Germany, considering competition and stand management.

    • Main Results:

    • VGSs derived from field measurements showed variations influenced by competition, stand management, and tree species.
    • Specific features of VGSs were found to correlate with characteristic tree size distributions in subsequent years.
    • Comparison of model-derived VGSs with measurement-derived VGSs served as a direct test of model validity.

    Conclusions:

    • Discrepancies between model-generated and measurement-based VGSs indicate that the model may inaccurately predict the development of tree-size distribution.
    • Relative Volume Growth and Relative Survival Graphs (VGSs) provide a valuable and practical tool for evaluating the reliability of complex forest growth models.
    • The VGS approach enhances the validation of ecological models by linking model performance to observable stand dynamics.