A review of stand basal area growth models

作     者：Sun Hong-gang Zhang Jian-guo Duan Ai-guo He Cai-yun 

作者机构：Key Laboratory of Silviculture of the State Forestry Administration Research Institute of Forestry Chinese Academy of Forestry Beijing 100091 P. R. China 

出 版 物：《Forestry Studies in China》 (中国林学（英文版）)

年 卷 期：2007年第9卷第1期

页      面：85-94页

学科分类：0710[理学-生物学] 0830[工学-环境科学与工程（可授工学、理学、农学学位）] 0907[农学-林学] 090704[农学-森林经理学] 0829[工学-林业工程] 09[农学] 0901[农学-作物学] 0713[理学-生态学] 

基　　金：This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 30471389) 

主　　题：stand basal area empirical models process-based models algebraic difference hybrid models 

摘      要：Growth and yield modeling has a long history in forestry. The methods of measuring the growth of stand basal area have evolved from those developed in the U.S.A. and Germany during the last century. Stand basal area modeling has progressed rapidly since the first widely used model was published by the U.S. Forest Service. Over the years, a variety of models have been developed for predicting the growth and yield of uneven/even-aged stands using stand-level approaches. The modeling methodology has not only moved from an empirical approach to a more ecological process-based approach but also accommodated a variety of techniques such as： 1） simultaneous equation methods, 2） difference models, 3） artificial neural network techniques, 4） linear/nonlinear regression models, and 5） matrix models. Empirical models using statistical methods were developed to reproduce accurately and precisely field observations. In contrast, process models have a shorter history, developed originally as research and education tools with the aim of increasing the understanding of cause and effect relationships. Empirical and process models can be married into hybrid models in which the shortcomings of both component approaches can, to some extent, be overcome. Algebraic difference forms of stand basal area models which consist of stand age, stand density and site quality can fully describe stand growth dynamics. This paper reviews the current literature regarding stand basal area models, discusses the basic types of models and their merits and outlines recent progress in modeling growth and dynamics of stand basal area. Future trends involving algebraic difference forms, good fitting variables and model types into stand basal area modeling strategies are discussed.