An evaluation of three growth and yield simulators for even-aged hardwood forests of the mid-Appalachian region

Abstract

Data from even-aged hardwood stands in four ecoregions across the mid-Appalachian region were used to test projection accuracy for three available growth and yield software systems: SILVAH, the Forest Vegetation Simulator, and the Stand Damage Model. Average root mean squared error (RMSE) ranged from 20 to 140 percent of actual trees per acre while RMSE ranged from 2 to 65 percent of actual basal area per acre (BAAC), depending on thinning category and dataset. Overall, SILVAH produced the smallest average error across all datasets and thinning categories, although significant improvement in projection accuracy is deemed feasible.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings, 17th Central Hardwood Forest Conference

Citation

Brooks, John R.; Miller, Gary W. 2011. An evaluation of three growth and yield simulators for even-aged hardwood forests of the Mid-Appalachian region. In: Fei, Songlin; Lhotka, John M.; Stringer, Jeffrey W.; Gottschalk, Kurt W.; Miller, Gary W., eds. Proceedings, 17th central hardwood forest conference; 2010 April 5-7; Lexington, KY; Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-78. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 23-32.