Tree growth prediction using size and exposed crown area
We address the relationships between tree growth rate and growing environment for 21 co-occurring species. Tree growth rates are obtained from mapped plots at the Coweeta Long-Term Ecological Research site in the southern Appalachian Mountains. We employ high-resolution aerial photography to assess the light environment for trees growing in these plots, using exposed crown area (ECA) as a surrogate for light interception. The relationship between growth and ECA is compared with two other growth predictors: tree size and shade-tolerance classification. We find that ECA is an excellent predictor of tree growth (average R2 = 0.69 for nine species). When ECA is combined with tree size, growth rate prediction is improved (average R 2 = 0.76). Tree size alone is also a strong predictor of tree growth (average R2 = 0.68). Shade-tolerance classification, by contrast, is a poor predictor of tree growth. © 2005 NRC Canada.
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Related Subject Headings
- Forestry
- 41 Environmental sciences
- 37 Earth sciences
- 30 Agricultural, veterinary and food sciences
- 07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
- 05 Environmental Sciences
- 04 Earth Sciences
Citation
Published In
DOI
ISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Related Subject Headings
- Forestry
- 41 Environmental sciences
- 37 Earth sciences
- 30 Agricultural, veterinary and food sciences
- 07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
- 05 Environmental Sciences
- 04 Earth Sciences