Stem form, height and volume models for teak in Tanzania

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dc.contributor.advisorBredenkamp, Brian Victoren_ZA
dc.contributor.authorVan Zyl, Louisen_ZA
dc.contributor.otherUniversity of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Agrisciences. Dept. of Forest and Wood Science.
dc.date.accessioned2008-08-06T10:43:28Zen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2010-06-01T08:41:55Z
dc.date.available2008-08-06T10:43:28Zen_ZA
dc.date.available2010-06-01T08:41:55Z
dc.date.issued2005-03en_ZA
dc.descriptionThesis (MScFor (Forest and Wood Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005.
dc.description.abstractThe aim of this study was to develop a set of models that will allow the determination of volume for Tectona grandis trees and stands grown in plantation form in Tanzania. As a secondary objective, models describing tree and dominant stand height were developed. Total volume and volume ratio models were fitted that respectively predict total tree volume and merchantable volume. In order to allow the calculation of volume for different product classes and dimensions, taper models were fitted. All the data were collected by non-destructive sampling methods using a Barr and Stroud optical dendrometer. This proved to be an accurate and inexpensive method of collecting data for developing volume and taper models. Sampling stratification was based on age and site quality and as wide a range as possible was covered to ensure adequate representation of all growing sites and ages present in Tanzanian teak plantations. A total of 2617 individual observations were made from 222 trees at three teak plantations. Several models were selected from the literature to describe teak volume and shape. Results indicated that the Schumacher and Hall (1933) volume equation best describes total volume over and underbark to a fixed upper limit of 7.5 cm. Merchantable volume to upper stem diameter and height limits were best described by respectively the Burkhart (1977) volume ratio model and the Cao and Burkhart (1980) modification thereof. Many of the fitted taper models were unable to adequately describe stem shape over the whole stem, mainly due to the large range in tree sizes and ages used in model fitting. The variable form taper model by Perez, Burkhart and Stiff (1990) provided the best results according to various criteria and is recommended for predicting teak underbark diameters to various heights and, if only a single model is required, the merchantable volume. Top height growth of teak stands was adequately described by the generalized Schumacher (1939) model with the value of the exponent k estimated from the sample data. From this a series of anamorphic site index curves were developed. Suitable height-dbh curves were obtained by a simple linear model and predictions improved by including stand age and site index as predictor variables.en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/2164
dc.language.isoenen_ZA
dc.publisherStellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
dc.rights.holderUniversity of Stellenbosch
dc.subjectTentona grandisen_ZA
dc.subjectTeaken_ZA
dc.subjectTotal volumeen_ZA
dc.subjectMerchantable volumeen_ZA
dc.subjectTaperen_ZA
dc.subjectHeighten_ZA
dc.subjectSite indexen_ZA
dc.subjectBarr and Stroud dendrometeren_ZA
dc.subjectDissertations -- Forest and wood scienceen
dc.subjectTheses -- Forest and wood scienceen
dc.titleStem form, height and volume models for teak in Tanzaniaen_ZA
dc.typeThesisen_ZA
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