Diameter at breast height growth for Pinus in Durango State

Abstract

Growth and yield models are considered valuable tools in the planning and management of forests since they help to project future stand conditions and provide the basis for most forest management programs. The evaluation of three algebraic difference approach (ADA) and three Generalized Algebraic Difference models (GADA) use to predict growth in diameter at breast height as a function of age for six of the main commercial species Pinus in Durango are presented in this paper. All the models fitted by using data from 44 302 increment cores collected at 5 609 forest inventory plots. The polymorphic Chapman –Richards model was the best to predict the dbh growth of Pinus lumholtzii; the GADA model with growth rates and asymptotes variables derived from Strand Generalized model was the best for Pinus arizonica, Pinus durangensis, Pinus teocote and Pinus leiophylla, while for Pinus ayacahuite a GADA model based on Logistic-Verhulst model was the best to predict dbh growth. All models were corrected for autocorrelation using a continuous second-order autoregressive structure. The diameter growth patterns suggest that Pinus ayacahuite, Pinus arizonica and Pinus durangensis have the highest growth rates, while being at similar site conditions, Pinus teocote is closer to the global average growth patterns while Pinus leiophylla and Pinus lumholtzii have the slowest growth rates.