Analyzing regression models and multi-layer artificial neural network models for estimating taper and tree volume in Crimean pine forests

The taper and merchantable tree volume equations are the most used models in forestry because of their accuracy in estimating both total and merchantable tree volume. However, numerous studies reported that artificial neural network models show fewer errors and a greater success rate as compared to...

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Main Author: Sahin A
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Italian Society of Silviculture and Forest Ecology (SISEF) 2024-02-01
Series:iForest - Biogeosciences and Forestry
Subjects:
Online Access:https://iforest.sisef.org/contents/?id=ifor4449-017
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author Sahin A
author_facet Sahin A
author_sort Sahin A
collection DOAJ
description The taper and merchantable tree volume equations are the most used models in forestry because of their accuracy in estimating both total and merchantable tree volume. However, numerous studies reported that artificial neural network models show fewer errors and a greater success rate as compared to regression models. This study used data from 200 Crimean pine trees in Turkey’s Central Anatolia and Mediterranean Region to assess the performance of artificial neural network (ANN) models and the Max-Burkhart’s equation for estimating taper and merchantable tree volume. The most accurate results were obtained using 3 hidden layers and 10 neurons in the taper model and 1 hidden layer and 100 neurons in the volume model. The hyperbolic tangent sigmoid function was used for the ANN analysis and hyper-parameter customization. Using the ANN model with hyper-parameter customization, the AAE in the Max-Burkhart taper model decreased from 9.315 to 6.939 (-25.5%), the RMSE decreased from 3.072 to 2.656 (-13.5%), and the FI increased from 0.964 to 0.966 (+1.23%). Similarly, using the ANN model with hyper-parameter customization, the AAE in the Max-Burkhart volume model decreased from 0.056 to 0.013 (-76.6%), the RMSE decreased from 0.247 to 0.12 (-51.6%), and the FI increased from 0.909 to 0.979 (+7.69%). Our results showed that the ANN models’ predictions were more accurate and reliable compared to the Max-Burkhart’s equations. We resolved overfitting via hyper-parameter modification, which also allowed for monitoring the impact of error and prediction outputs at various learning rates. It was also possible to develop tree taper and volume equations with lower error rates in both training and validation data, consistent with tree growth trends in both data sets.
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spelling doaj.art-2dbef3d9ac2e44febc91319857011ede2024-02-29T12:23:07ZengItalian Society of Silviculture and Forest Ecology (SISEF)iForest - Biogeosciences and Forestry1971-74582024-02-01171364410.3832/ifor4449-0174449Analyzing regression models and multi-layer artificial neural network models for estimating taper and tree volume in Crimean pine forestsSahin A0Artvin Çoruh University, Faculty of Forestry, 08100, Artvin - TurkeyThe taper and merchantable tree volume equations are the most used models in forestry because of their accuracy in estimating both total and merchantable tree volume. However, numerous studies reported that artificial neural network models show fewer errors and a greater success rate as compared to regression models. This study used data from 200 Crimean pine trees in Turkey’s Central Anatolia and Mediterranean Region to assess the performance of artificial neural network (ANN) models and the Max-Burkhart’s equation for estimating taper and merchantable tree volume. The most accurate results were obtained using 3 hidden layers and 10 neurons in the taper model and 1 hidden layer and 100 neurons in the volume model. The hyperbolic tangent sigmoid function was used for the ANN analysis and hyper-parameter customization. Using the ANN model with hyper-parameter customization, the AAE in the Max-Burkhart taper model decreased from 9.315 to 6.939 (-25.5%), the RMSE decreased from 3.072 to 2.656 (-13.5%), and the FI increased from 0.964 to 0.966 (+1.23%). Similarly, using the ANN model with hyper-parameter customization, the AAE in the Max-Burkhart volume model decreased from 0.056 to 0.013 (-76.6%), the RMSE decreased from 0.247 to 0.12 (-51.6%), and the FI increased from 0.909 to 0.979 (+7.69%). Our results showed that the ANN models’ predictions were more accurate and reliable compared to the Max-Burkhart’s equations. We resolved overfitting via hyper-parameter modification, which also allowed for monitoring the impact of error and prediction outputs at various learning rates. It was also possible to develop tree taper and volume equations with lower error rates in both training and validation data, consistent with tree growth trends in both data sets.https://iforest.sisef.org/contents/?id=ifor4449-017Compatible Tree TaperMerchantable Volume EquationsCrimean PineMultilayer Artificial Neural NetworkHyper-parameter Customization
spellingShingle Sahin A
Analyzing regression models and multi-layer artificial neural network models for estimating taper and tree volume in Crimean pine forests
iForest - Biogeosciences and Forestry
Compatible Tree Taper
Merchantable Volume Equations
Crimean Pine
Multilayer Artificial Neural Network
Hyper-parameter Customization
title Analyzing regression models and multi-layer artificial neural network models for estimating taper and tree volume in Crimean pine forests
title_full Analyzing regression models and multi-layer artificial neural network models for estimating taper and tree volume in Crimean pine forests
title_fullStr Analyzing regression models and multi-layer artificial neural network models for estimating taper and tree volume in Crimean pine forests
title_full_unstemmed Analyzing regression models and multi-layer artificial neural network models for estimating taper and tree volume in Crimean pine forests
title_short Analyzing regression models and multi-layer artificial neural network models for estimating taper and tree volume in Crimean pine forests
title_sort analyzing regression models and multi layer artificial neural network models for estimating taper and tree volume in crimean pine forests
topic Compatible Tree Taper
Merchantable Volume Equations
Crimean Pine
Multilayer Artificial Neural Network
Hyper-parameter Customization
url https://iforest.sisef.org/contents/?id=ifor4449-017
work_keys_str_mv AT sahina analyzingregressionmodelsandmultilayerartificialneuralnetworkmodelsforestimatingtaperandtreevolumeincrimeanpineforests