Title: Diameter growth models using FIA data from the Northeastern, Southern, and North Central Research Stations

Author: Lessard, Veronica C.; McRoberts, Ronald E.; Holdaway, Margaret R.

Year: 2000

Publication: In: McRoberts, Ronald E.; Reams, Gregory A.; Van Deusen, Paul C., eds. Proceedings of the First Annual Forest Inventory and Analysis Symposium; Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-213. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station: 37-42

Abstract: Nonlinear, individual-tree, distance-independent annual diameter growth models are presented for species in two ecoregions defined by R.G. Bailey in the northern Lake States and in parts of the central and southern regions of the U.S. The models were calibrated using Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) data from undisturbed plots on land classified as timberland across all ownership categories. The data were generally from stands of mixed age and mixed species. The dependent variable is average annual diameter growth and the independent variables include crown ratio, crown class, stand basal area, stand basal area larger than the subject tree, physiographic class, and latitude and longitude of plot locations. The models have minimal bias and may be recalibrated easily to include new data sets.