An analysis of stand-level size distributions of decay-affected Norway spruce trees based on harvester data
Abstract Key message We studied size distributions of decay-affected Norway spruce trees using cut-to-length harvester data. The harvester data comprised tree-level decay and decay severity recordings from 101 final felling stands, which enabled to analyze relationships between size distributions of...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Annals of Forest Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13595-022-01170-8 |
| _version_ | 1797958404548853760 |
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| author | Janne Räty Ari M. Hietala Johannes Breidenbach Rasmus Astrup |
| author_facet | Janne Räty Ari M. Hietala Johannes Breidenbach Rasmus Astrup |
| author_sort | Janne Räty |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Key message We studied size distributions of decay-affected Norway spruce trees using cut-to-length harvester data. The harvester data comprised tree-level decay and decay severity recordings from 101 final felling stands, which enabled to analyze relationships between size distributions of all and decay-affected trees. Distribution matching technique was used to transfer the size distribution of all trees into the diameter at breast height (DBH) distribution of decay-affected trees. Context Stem decay of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) results in large economic losses in timber production in the northern hemisphere. Forest management planning typically requires information on tree size distributions. However, size distributions of decay-affected trees generally remain unknown impeding decision-making in forest management planning. Aims Our aim was to analyze and model relationships between size distributions of all and decay-affected Norway spruce trees at the level of forest stands. Methods Cut-to-length harvester data of 93,456 trees were collected from 101 final felling stands in Norway. For each Norway spruce tree (94% of trees), the presence and severity of stem decay (incipient and advanced) were recorded. The stand-level size distributions (diameter at breast height, DBH; height, H) of all and decay-affected trees were described using the Weibull distribution. We proposed distribution matching (DM) models that transform either the DBH or H distribution of all trees into DBH distributions of decay-affected trees. We compared the predictive performance of DMs with a null-model that refers to a global Weibull distribution estimated based on DBHs of all harvested decay-affected trees. Results The harvester data showed that an average-sized decay-affected tree is larger and taller compared with an average-sized tree in a forest stand, while trees with advanced decay were generally shorter and thinner compared with trees having incipient decay. DBH distributions of decay-affected trees can be matched with smaller error index (EI) values using DBH (EI = 0.14) than H distributions (EI = 0.31). DM clearly outperformed the null model that resulted in an EI of 0.32. Conclusions The harvester data analysis showed a relationship between size distributions of all and decay-affected trees that can be explained by the spread biology of decay fungi and modeled using the DM technique. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T00:19:32Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4caac8d512654fab9d1723c183a67814 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1297-966X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T00:19:32Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Annals of Forest Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-4caac8d512654fab9d1723c183a678142023-01-08T12:23:55ZengBMCAnnals of Forest Science1297-966X2023-01-0180111510.1186/s13595-022-01170-8An analysis of stand-level size distributions of decay-affected Norway spruce trees based on harvester dataJanne Räty0Ari M. Hietala1Johannes Breidenbach2Rasmus Astrup3Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE)Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO)Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO)Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO)Abstract Key message We studied size distributions of decay-affected Norway spruce trees using cut-to-length harvester data. The harvester data comprised tree-level decay and decay severity recordings from 101 final felling stands, which enabled to analyze relationships between size distributions of all and decay-affected trees. Distribution matching technique was used to transfer the size distribution of all trees into the diameter at breast height (DBH) distribution of decay-affected trees. Context Stem decay of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) results in large economic losses in timber production in the northern hemisphere. Forest management planning typically requires information on tree size distributions. However, size distributions of decay-affected trees generally remain unknown impeding decision-making in forest management planning. Aims Our aim was to analyze and model relationships between size distributions of all and decay-affected Norway spruce trees at the level of forest stands. Methods Cut-to-length harvester data of 93,456 trees were collected from 101 final felling stands in Norway. For each Norway spruce tree (94% of trees), the presence and severity of stem decay (incipient and advanced) were recorded. The stand-level size distributions (diameter at breast height, DBH; height, H) of all and decay-affected trees were described using the Weibull distribution. We proposed distribution matching (DM) models that transform either the DBH or H distribution of all trees into DBH distributions of decay-affected trees. We compared the predictive performance of DMs with a null-model that refers to a global Weibull distribution estimated based on DBHs of all harvested decay-affected trees. Results The harvester data showed that an average-sized decay-affected tree is larger and taller compared with an average-sized tree in a forest stand, while trees with advanced decay were generally shorter and thinner compared with trees having incipient decay. DBH distributions of decay-affected trees can be matched with smaller error index (EI) values using DBH (EI = 0.14) than H distributions (EI = 0.31). DM clearly outperformed the null model that resulted in an EI of 0.32. Conclusions The harvester data analysis showed a relationship between size distributions of all and decay-affected trees that can be explained by the spread biology of decay fungi and modeled using the DM technique.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13595-022-01170-8Root and butt rotHeterobasidion spp.Armillaria spp.Cut-to-length harvesterForest management and planning |
| spellingShingle | Janne Räty Ari M. Hietala Johannes Breidenbach Rasmus Astrup An analysis of stand-level size distributions of decay-affected Norway spruce trees based on harvester data Annals of Forest Science Root and butt rot Heterobasidion spp. Armillaria spp. Cut-to-length harvester Forest management and planning |
| title | An analysis of stand-level size distributions of decay-affected Norway spruce trees based on harvester data |
| title_full | An analysis of stand-level size distributions of decay-affected Norway spruce trees based on harvester data |
| title_fullStr | An analysis of stand-level size distributions of decay-affected Norway spruce trees based on harvester data |
| title_full_unstemmed | An analysis of stand-level size distributions of decay-affected Norway spruce trees based on harvester data |
| title_short | An analysis of stand-level size distributions of decay-affected Norway spruce trees based on harvester data |
| title_sort | analysis of stand level size distributions of decay affected norway spruce trees based on harvester data |
| topic | Root and butt rot Heterobasidion spp. Armillaria spp. Cut-to-length harvester Forest management and planning |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13595-022-01170-8 |
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