The model of stand basal area gross growth on the data of the Estonian Network of Forest Research Plots

Abstract The stand level gross volume increment models are used to estimate the future production of tree stands. Very often, the stand growth and yield in the models used in practice are described by the tree volume increment that includes the diameter growth function with the tree height together with stem taper as the input variables. The currently used function of stand volume increment in Estonia included also stand relative density as an additional input variable. In the current study, we developed a basal area increment function based on the periodic measurement data of the Estonian Network of Forest Research Plots (ENFRP). As in the earlier model of stand volume increment developed by Priit Kohava, in the current model the basal area increment of tree species is developed for a pure stand, and for mixed stands, the proportion of the tree species’ basal area is used. The tests in our data indicated that the periodic increment prognosis had good fit in the case of variable share of tree species in the main storey and coincide with the earlier studies by Finnish and Swedish colleagues. The developed model of basal area increment predictions are expectedly higher than the earlier model predictions for the most tree species and stand relative densities.