Classification of Canopy, Stem, Crown Status and Climber Infestation in Natural Tropical Forest in Nigeria

Abstract

SUMMARY Several investigations have shown that the growth increment of tropical tree species is strongly correlated with initial basal area. This investigation examined whether prediction of basal area increment could be improved by initially classifying trees according to canopy status, stem or'crown form, or degree of climber infestation. Classification according to stem form improved the prediction of tree basal area increment of Khaya ivorensis; canopy status also had a large effect but it was not significant. Classification according to climber infestation improved the prediction for Sterculia rhinopetala; greater infestation was associated with a reduction of the regression constant. The gain in accuracy was small in all cases. The ecological and silvicultural implications of these results are discussed. The correlations between successive increments did not substantially diminish over the 14 year period of observations.