A graphical comparison of loblolly pine growth-and-yield models

Abstract

Foresters have come to rely on growth-and-yield simulators when making management decisions extending decades into the future. The importance of obtaining reliable estimates of growth-and-yield projections is apparent, hence evaluating and selecting an appropriate simulator can be challenging. One way to evaluate growth-and-yield models for prospective applications is by examining how model predictions adhere to basic expectations of biological growth. We compared five computer growth-and-yield simulators for loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) using relationships depicted in Leary's 1997 lower triangular matrix of stand property interdependence. The graphical comparison of common loblolly pine growth-and-yield simulators indicates how model predictions adhere to current conventional wisdom concerning biological growth in forest stands. The basic principles of property interdependence are generally evident in the computer growth-and-yield simulators with, however, notable differences because some model results deviate from the expected "biological behavior". Copyright © 2013 by the Society of American Foresters.