Site Quality in Subtropical Forests

Evaluation of site quality constitutes an essential
prerequisite for sustainable and economically
efficient forest management. Few methodologies for
mixed forests with indeterminate ages are known and
their application is often limited by regional
variations of factors determining tree growth.
In this study, site quality evaluation in subtropical
moist forests in north western Argentina was
investigated by applying classification schemes based
on various approaches. Different site characteristics
were related to growth data obtained from stem
analysis, soil and inventory data and canopy imagery,
using consumer grade digital photography.
Growth rates of Cedrela spp. were partially explained
by identifying correlated site factors. Soil
assessment allowed for assignment of explanatory
variables to distributions of quantitative stand
parameters and species composition. Analyses of
variances identified trends in distribution of
quantitative and qualitative stand parameters.
This article addresses foresters and scientists
working in subtropical forests and helps to
facilitate decision making with regard to site
quality, especially when facing low-information
scenarios.

Autorentext

Alexander Wellenbeck, Master of Science in Tropical and International Forestry. Studied at Santiago de Compostela, Spain and Goettingen, Germany. Project management in Lao P.D.R. and Argentina. Freelance consultant since 2007 and currently working in Cameroon.

Klappentext

Evaluation of site quality constitutes an essentialprerequisite for sustainable and economicallyefficient forest management. Few methodologies formixed forests with indeterminate ages are known andtheir application is often limited by regionalvariations of factors determining tree growth.In this study, site quality evaluation in subtropicalmoist forests in north western Argentina wasinvestigated by applying classification schemes basedon various approaches. Different site characteristicswere related to growth data obtained from stemanalysis, soil and inventory data and canopy imagery,using consumer grade digital photography.Growth rates of Cedrela spp. were partially explainedby identifying correlated site factors. Soilassessment allowed for assignment of explanatoryvariables to distributions of quantitative standparameters and species composition. Analyses ofvariances identified trends in distribution ofquantitative and qualitative stand parameters.This article addresses foresters and scientistsworking in subtropical forests and helps tofacilitate decision making with regard to sitequality, especially when facing low-informationscenarios.