Keywords
Nimbia forest
Chapman-Richards
Weibull
Modelling
How to Cite
Abstract
Height-diameter modelling was carried out on Gmelina (Gmelina arborea) plantation in Nimbia Forest Reserve in North-western Nigeria with the aim of establishing relationship between tree height and diameter, thereby avoiding the difficulties of height (difficult to measure variable) measurement in an inventory work Stratified random sampling was used to select 20 plots of 20 x 20 m. Stump diameter (Dst), diameter at breast height (Dbh), middle (Dm) and top (Dt) positions, and merchantable height of selected trees were measured. Both Chapman-Richards and Weibull models were used to predict the goodness-of-fit of the parameters measured. Average Dbh measured was 16.33 cm, and the mean tree height was 6.85m. Pseudo coefficient of determination (Pseudo R2) and residual mean square error (RMSE) goodness-of-fit statistics were considered as model selection criteria. Weibull function appears a better height-diameter fit method for Gmelina stands. The height-diameter models require additional site factors for better models; hence the need for establishing permanent sample plots (PSP) in order to get additional information from re measurements of the plots.
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