Abstract

URANGA-VALENCIA, Luisa P. et al. Total volume and taper for Pinus patula Schiede ex Schltdl. et Cham. at three forest conditions. Agrociencia [online]. 2015, vol.49, n.7, pp.787-801. ISSN 2521-9766.

The objective of this study was to estimate the total and merchantable standing volume of Pinus patula plantations in Zacualpan, Veracruz, and compare the taper-volume with two natural forests populations of P. patula, in Zacualtipán, Hidalgo and Ixtlán, Oaxaca. The datasets were fitted to the model of Fang, which estimate taper, volume and allows to analyze their dendrometric types. The results show a different shape factor in the trees form each analyzed forest condition: 0.50 for trees growing in the plantation system, 0.46 for trees growing in natural forest under intensive management (Zacualtipán), and 0.44 for natural forest trees growing under extensive management (Ixtlán) conditions. That tree shape varies according to the forest management applied and it suggests that relatively small (less than 25 cm in diameter) and young trees growing in plantations with pruning, concentrate a higher volume in the bole. Only one inflection point on the bole should be considered.

Keywords : Shape factor; segmented model; forest regime.