Mixed-Effects Height Prediction Model for IJuniperus procera/I Trees from a Dry Afromontane Forest in Ethiopia

Tree height is a crucial variable in forestry science. In the current study, an accurate height prediction model for Juniperus procera Hochst. ex Endl. trees were developed, using a nonlinear mixed-effects modeling approach on 1215 observations from 101 randomly established plots in the Chilimo Dry...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Forests 2024-02, Vol.15 (3)
Main Authors: Teshome, Mindaye, Braz, Evaldo Muñoz, Torres, Carlos Moreira Miquelino Eleto, Raptis, Dimitrios Ioannis, de Mattos, Patricia Povoa, Temesgen, Hailemariam, Rubio-Camacho, Ernesto Alonso, Sileshi, Gudeta Woldesemayat
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Dimensions
Forecasts and trends
Juniper
Properties
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Summary:Tree height is a crucial variable in forestry science. In the current study, an accurate height prediction model for Juniperus procera Hochst. ex Endl. trees were developed, using a nonlinear mixed-effects modeling approach on 1215 observations from 101 randomly established plots in the Chilimo Dry Afromontane Forest in Ethiopia. After comparing 14 nonlinear models, the most appropriate base model was selected and expanded as a mixed-effects model, using the sample plot as a grouping factor, and adding stand-level variables to increase the model’s prediction ability. Using a completely independent dataset of observations, the best sampling alternative for calibration was determined using goodness-of-fit criteria. Our findings revealed that the Michaelis–Menten model outperformed the other models, while the expansion to the mixed-effects model significantly improved the height prediction. On the other hand, incorporating the quadratic mean diameter and the stem density slightly improved the model’s prediction ability. The fixed-effects of the selected model can also be used to predict the mean height of Juniperus procera trees as a marginal solution. The calibration response revealed that a systematic selection of the three largest-diameter trees at the plot level is the most effective for random effect estimation across new plots or stands.
ISSN:1999-4907
1999-4907
DOI:10.3390/f15030443