Introduction

Abstract

Quantitative information on trees and stand is required for assessment and management of forests. Empirical growth and yield models, developed using statistical techniques and calibrated with comprehensive data sets, are aimed at describing stand development for a range of silvicultural practices and site conditions. Due to their relatively simple data input requirements and accuracy, forest growth and yield models have become essential tools for forest management. Over the past decades, whole-stand, diameter-distribution, size-class, and individual-tree models have been developed for forest management purposes. At the same time increasing detail on tree stem, crown structure and branching characteristics has been included in models. This book opens by describing methods for quantifying individual trees, progresses to a thorough coverage of growth and yield structures from whole-stand to individual-tree models, moves on to methods for incorporating response to silvicultural treatments and wood quality characteristics in growth and yield models, and concludes with a discussion of implementing and evaluating models.