A site model for Pyrenean oak (<i>Quercus pyrenaica</i>) stands using a dynamic algebraic difference equation

Abstract

This paper presents a growth model for dominant-height and site-quality estimations for Pyrenean oak (Quercus pyrenaica Willd.) stands. The Bertalanffy–Richards function is used with the generalized algebraic difference approach to derive a dynamic site equation. This allows dominant-height and site-index estimations in a compatible way, using any desirable base age and allowing estimations to be time independent, which are important properties for site models. The database contains all possible height-growth intervals. The model is fitted considering residual autocorrelation, giving more efficient parameter estimates. Finally, the model behavior is analyzed by calculating error statistics from dominant-height and site-index estimations at different ages.