McKenzie River Associates, LLC
Specialists in computer science, forestry, and biometrics
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Specialists in computer science, forestry, and biometrics
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 10 Meter Site CurvesDr. James D. Arney, Forest Biometrics Research InstituteDr. Arney, the author of the popular Forest Planning and Projection System (FPS) software has introduced a new approach to determination of site. Dr. Arney's research has determined that the first 10 meters of height growth is largely influenced by silvicultural practices including site preparation, brush control, animal control, and fertilization. The traditional method of measuring site using breast height age and total height may not adequately account for the effects of early stage silviculture, resulting in overstating the site index. Therefore, Dr. Arney proposes site be measured at two points up the stem, preferably at 10 meters and at 20 meters. These points coincide closely with normal log lengths (34 feet and 67 feet) and can be measured during harvest operations to avoid loss of value. What Dr. Arney discovered is once trees are taller than 10 meters, their height growth follows traditional site curves up to a height of 20 meters. Beyond 20 meters of height, the shape of the height growth varies by each specific geo-climatic region. Consequently, updated species libraries used in FPS for projecting growth are being completed to account for these three phases (early silviculture, site index, and site shape). To construct 10 meter site curves (Site Index in meters, SIm) Dr. Arney uses the number of years it takes the tree to grow from 10 meters to 20 meters to compute the site index and the number of years to grow from 20 meters to 30 meters divided by the number of years to grow from 10 meters to 20 meters to describe the shape. Early silviculture is modeled by accounting for survival and the percent of potential height growth obtained when the stand reaches 10 meters in height. To learn more, contact us or the FBRI at: http://www.forestbiometrics.com For More Information Contact: |
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