Developing Tree Mortality Models Using Bayesian Modeling Approach

The forest mortality models developed so far have ignored the effects of spatial correlations and climate, which lead to the substantial bias in the mortality prediction. This study thus developed the tree mortality models for Prince Rupprecht larch (<i>Larix gmelinii</i> subsp. <i>...

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Main Authors: Lu Xie, Xingjing Chen, Xiao Zhou, Ram P. Sharma, Jianjun Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-04-01
Series:Forests
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/13/4/604
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author Lu Xie
Xingjing Chen
Xiao Zhou
Ram P. Sharma
Jianjun Li
author_facet Lu Xie
Xingjing Chen
Xiao Zhou
Ram P. Sharma
Jianjun Li
author_sort Lu Xie
collection DOAJ
description The forest mortality models developed so far have ignored the effects of spatial correlations and climate, which lead to the substantial bias in the mortality prediction. This study thus developed the tree mortality models for Prince Rupprecht larch (<i>Larix gmelinii</i> subsp. <i>principis-rupprechtii</i>), one of the most important tree species in northern China, by taking those effects into account. In addition to these factors, our models include both the tree—and stand—level variables, the information of which was collated from the temporary sample plots laid out across the larch forests. We applied the Bayesian modeling, which is the novel approach to build the multi-level tree mortality models. We compared the performance of the models constructed through the combination of selected predictor variables and explored their corresponding effects on the individual tree mortality. The models precisely predicted mortality at the three ecological scales (individual, stand, and region). The model at the levels of both the sample plot and stand with different site condition (block) outperformed the other model forms (model at block level alone and fixed effects model), describing significantly larger mortality variations, and accounted for multiple sources of the unobserved heterogeneities. Results showed that the sum of the squared diameter was larger than the estimated diameter, and the mean annual precipitation significantly positively correlated with tree mortality, while the ratio of the diameter to the average of the squared diameter, the stand arithmetic mean diameter, and the mean of the difference of temperature was significantly negatively correlated. Our results will have significant implications in identifying various factors, including climate, that could have large influence on tree mortality and precisely predict tree mortality at different scales.
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spelling doaj.art-bed28414b0d24ba5baca91be84da05492023-11-23T08:14:48ZengMDPI AGForests1999-49072022-04-0113460410.3390/f13040604Developing Tree Mortality Models Using Bayesian Modeling ApproachLu Xie0Xingjing Chen1Xiao Zhou2Ram P. Sharma3Jianjun Li4School of Computer and Information Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, ChinaCollege of Forestry, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, ChinaResearch Institute of Forest Resource Information Techniques, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, ChinaInstitute of Forestry, Tribhuwan University, Kathmandu 44600, NepalSchool of Computer and Information Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, ChinaThe forest mortality models developed so far have ignored the effects of spatial correlations and climate, which lead to the substantial bias in the mortality prediction. This study thus developed the tree mortality models for Prince Rupprecht larch (<i>Larix gmelinii</i> subsp. <i>principis-rupprechtii</i>), one of the most important tree species in northern China, by taking those effects into account. In addition to these factors, our models include both the tree—and stand—level variables, the information of which was collated from the temporary sample plots laid out across the larch forests. We applied the Bayesian modeling, which is the novel approach to build the multi-level tree mortality models. We compared the performance of the models constructed through the combination of selected predictor variables and explored their corresponding effects on the individual tree mortality. The models precisely predicted mortality at the three ecological scales (individual, stand, and region). The model at the levels of both the sample plot and stand with different site condition (block) outperformed the other model forms (model at block level alone and fixed effects model), describing significantly larger mortality variations, and accounted for multiple sources of the unobserved heterogeneities. Results showed that the sum of the squared diameter was larger than the estimated diameter, and the mean annual precipitation significantly positively correlated with tree mortality, while the ratio of the diameter to the average of the squared diameter, the stand arithmetic mean diameter, and the mean of the difference of temperature was significantly negatively correlated. Our results will have significant implications in identifying various factors, including climate, that could have large influence on tree mortality and precisely predict tree mortality at different scales.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/13/4/604Bayesian logistic modelclimate sensitive modeltree mortalityforest management
spellingShingle Lu Xie
Xingjing Chen
Xiao Zhou
Ram P. Sharma
Jianjun Li
Developing Tree Mortality Models Using Bayesian Modeling Approach
Forests
Bayesian logistic model
climate sensitive model
tree mortality
forest management
title Developing Tree Mortality Models Using Bayesian Modeling Approach
title_full Developing Tree Mortality Models Using Bayesian Modeling Approach
title_fullStr Developing Tree Mortality Models Using Bayesian Modeling Approach
title_full_unstemmed Developing Tree Mortality Models Using Bayesian Modeling Approach
title_short Developing Tree Mortality Models Using Bayesian Modeling Approach
title_sort developing tree mortality models using bayesian modeling approach
topic Bayesian logistic model
climate sensitive model
tree mortality
forest management
url https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/13/4/604
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AT xingjingchen developingtreemortalitymodelsusingbayesianmodelingapproach
AT xiaozhou developingtreemortalitymodelsusingbayesianmodelingapproach
AT rampsharma developingtreemortalitymodelsusingbayesianmodelingapproach
AT jianjunli developingtreemortalitymodelsusingbayesianmodelingapproach