Modeling Forest Timber Productivity in the South: Where Are We Today?

Abstract

The current southern species growth and yield prediction capability, new techniques utilized, and modeling trends over the last 17 years, were examined. Changing forest management objectives that emphasize more non-timber resources may have contributed to the continuing genetii lack of emphasis in modeling the timber productivity of the South's largest forest types-mixed pines and mixed pine-hardwood stands. Less than 10 percent of the literature during the period of this review pertained to growth and yield predictions of that resource. On the other hand, 45 percent of the literature centered on predicting the productivity of loblolly pine, almost all in plantations. Clearly the modeling emphasis has been, and continues to be, on the results of intensive management of the South's commercially valuable species, although some notable work has been done for other species and other forest types. Several new procedures have been developed for projecting tree and stand growth using whole stand, diameter distribution, and individual tree modeling approaches. New distribution-free and stand table projection techniques have also been presented. Basic information on the available complete growth and yield prediction systems produced for southern species during this review period is presented and summarized.

Citation

Baldwin, V. Clark, Jr.; Cao, Quang V. 1999. Modeling Forest Timber Productivity in the South: Where Are We Today?. Paper presented at the Tenth Biennial Southern Silvicultural Research Conference, Shreveport, LA, February 16-16,1999.