Abstract

GARCIA CUEVAS, Xavier et al. Prediction of the normal diameter, height and volume from the stump diameter in tropical species. Rev. mex. de cienc. forestales [online]. 2017, vol.8, n.43, pp.89-116. ISSN 2007-1132.

In the control and supervision of forest management, the estimation of the diameter at breast height is necessary to characterize the original stand and from this estimate, the extracted volumes. When the tree no longer exists, it is not possible to know the dimension of the diameter at breast height (d), height (h) and volume (v). These variables can be estimated based on stump diameter (dt). This allometric relationship can be used to calculate the missing volumes (v). Therefore, the aim of this research was to develop predictive equations relating dt-d, dt-h and dt-v for eight tropical species (Mahogany, Red cedar, Chacah, Chechem, Ramón, Sacchacah, Chicozapote and Tzalam) of Quintana Roo, through a selective sampling and direct measurement of 1,169 pairs of dt-d data, and indirect measurement of the height (h) of trees. All possible heights and diameter categories in different growth conditions were included. By using the ordinary least squares method, a linear model was fitted, and one for predicting the nonlinear diameter at breast height and other to predict the nonlinear volume. Based on the level of significance of the model parameters, their estimates of goodness of fit, the distribution of residuals, and the predictive ability of them, it can be inferred that these are valid to predict the d, h and v as a function of dt. All models explained the data variability.

Keywords : Allometry; cuts; equations; tropical species; forest management; regression.