Growth models and environmental factors: opportunities and limits in modelling forest growth.

摘要

The process of forest transformation towards structurally diverse mixed stands and regional changes of long term site characteristics are increasingly constraining the applicability of traditional yield tables for reliable estimations of forest growth and yield. Computer programs which simulate single tree growth depending on its competition situation offer important opportunities for realistic and flexible analyses and prognoses even under these conditions of growing diversity. Therefore, increased efforts in research and programming are needed to provide forestry practice and administration with suitable tools for planning and decision making in the future that should be based upon this type of programmes. Growth models (or "simulators") like these should also be able to show the reaction of forest stands to changes in site conditions. The latter, however, requires a close cooperation with other disciplines like soil science, hydrology and meteorology.