Performance of Weibull function as a diameter distribution model for Pinus thunbergii stands in the eastern coast of South Korea

This study was carried out to determine the performance of percentile-based Weibull diameter distribution model for Pinus thunbergii stands thriving along the eastern coast of South Korea. The parameter recovery technique was used to estimate the three parameters of the Weibull model. The analysis demonstrated satisfactory results based on the following test statistics for the principal percentile models： fit index （FI） range from 0.501（minimum diameter） to 0.932 （50th diameter percentiles） and root mean square error （RMSE） range from 0.112 （quadratic mean diameter） to 3.572 （minimum diameter）. The developed model was further evaluated by determining the mean bias （E） in trees per ha （TPH） for each diameter class, and the results showed highest over-prediction in the 20 cm, and under-prediction in the x6 cm and 24 cm diameter classes. The goodness of fit tested by Kolmogorov- Smirnov （KS） test showed no significant differences （P〉0.05） between the observed and predicted diameter distributions for almost all plots. Using site index and aboveground biomass （AGB） models developed for P. thunbergii in South Korea, a model to predict the AGB per ha for each diameter class and subsequently the total AGB of the stand was created. An application guide was also created, which will serve as a decision-support tool for forest managers in quantifying the future total AGB in P. thunbergii stands located in the eastern coast of South Korea and, subsequently, the quantification of potential carbon stocks aside from being a vital input in designing efficient management and protection strategies for these stands.

Modeling the Distribution of Marketable Timber Products of Private Teak(Tectona grandis L.f.)Plantations

Management of marketable products of private plantations will not be sustainable without class girth being identifiable readily. Modeling marketable products is a key to obtain good fitness between observed and theoretical girth distribution. We determine the best parameter recovery method with the Weibull function for two sylvicultural regimes (coppice and high forest). Data on stand variables were collected from 1101 sample plots. The three Weibull function parameters were estimated with three parameters recovery methods: the maximum likelihood method, the method of moments and the method of percentiles. Stepwise regression and the simultaneously re-estimated parameter using the Seemingly Unrelated Regression Estimation were applied to model each parameter. The results indicated that the three methods successfully predicted girth size distributions within the sample stands. The method of moments was the best one with lowest values of Reynolds error index and Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistic however the sylvicultural regimes. The Weibull parameter distribution model developed for each of the two sylvicultural regimes was quite reliable.