Modelagem do crescimento e da produção de Pinus taeda L. por meio do processo de difusão

Abstract

This work tested a methodology for growth and yield modeling. The diffusion process is not yet widely used in commercial plantations in Brazil, but it can provide predictions comparable to others methodologies, producing satisfactory results to simulate growth and yield. For this purpose, 325 permanent samples established in unthinned Pinus taeda L. (loblolly pine) stands owned by the International Paper of Brazil Co were used. The diffusion process methodology consists in connecting growth increment and mortality models in Kolmogorov equation . Seventy sample plots were randomly chosen in order to make the comparison among the observed and predicted values. In general, the diffusion process provided satisfactory estimates of number of trees, basal area per hectare and stem volume.