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Abstract
Precommercial thinning is commonly used in mixed conifer forests of the inland northwest region of the U.S. It is widely understood to increase diameter growth of crop trees, and on some sites can also elicit a height growth response, but growth models are needed to quantify these effects. In principle, FVS-IE can capture PCT effects through reductions in crown competition factor (CCF). However, the model was calibrated to reflect gradual, mortalitydriven reductions in CCF as opposed to abrupt changes from active management. Additionally, diameter and height growth are linked in both the small- and large-tree submodels of FVS-IE to an extent that it is unclear whether PCT effects on tree taper can be adequately projected.
Parent Publication
Keywords
forest management,
forest planning,
growth and yield,
vegetation dynamics,
habitat modeling,
carbon inventory,
landscape dynamics,
fire,
fuels,
climate change,
economics,
tree-rings
Citation
Affleck, David L.R. 2024. Impacts of precommercial thinning on observed versus FVS-projected diameter and height increments in the Inland Northwest. In: Shaw, John D; Battaglia, Mike A.; Castle, Mark, [comps.]. Sixth Forest Vegetation Simulator Conference; 2023 March 7-9; Fort Collins, CO. Proceedings RMRS-P-81. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 63-65.
