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Biometric Challenges of Hawaii Forest Management

Discover the history and current situation of forest management in Hawaii, the existing models, present challenges, and the need for collaboration with biometry experts. Join us in resolving these issues for sustainable forest management.

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Biometric Challenges of Hawaii Forest Management

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  1. Biometric Challenges of Hawaii Forest Management N. Koch Research Forester

  2. Introduction • Current problem: • Lack of adequate data and models for proper native forest management • History • How did this come about? • Present situation • Why such models are more important today? • Currently used methods for forest management • Mostly empirical

  3. Focus on koa • External volume equations for most exotic species are well known • Allows for adequate management, with reservations • No site indexes • No stocking guides • No growth curves (yet) • However, better than the situation for koa!

  4. Background • Historic lack of dedicated forest industry in Hawaii • Most forest cleared for other uses • Grazing • Agriculture • Sugar • Pineapple • Remaining forests dedicated to non-timber use • Watershed protection • Parkland

  5. Background (cont.) • Forest industry relegated to “mining” of timber resources • Clearing land for agriculture • Extraction of pasture timber • Small-scale extraction in watershed forests

  6. Existing models • Early efforts by the Forest Service • 1960’s and 1970’s: “Predicting volumes in four Hawaii hardwoods...first multivariate equations developed” Sharpnack, David (1966) ...requires 4 inputs: DBH HT TDIB (top diam. inside bark) Diam. Inside bark at 1st 16’ log

  7. Existing models (cont.) Acacia koa volume (cuft) V = -13.8719 + 1.7332 (DBH) – 1.2125 TDIB + 0.0022 DBH2 (HT) (FC) + 0.0033 TDIB2 (HT) (FC) + 11.7450 (HT) TDIB – Top inside bark diameter FC - Form class = Inside bark diameter at 16’ / DBH ...Laborious to collect data and process it!!!

  8. Existing models (cont.) • Early efforts by the Forest Service • 1960’s and 1970’s: “Guide to log defect indicators in Koa, Ohia... preliminary rules for volume deductions” Burgan et al. (1971) ... Difficult to apply in field estimations

  9. Present situation • Demand for quality forest products outstrips supply, particularly in native woods • Increased conversion of pastures to forest • Increased interest in active forest management • A shift from extractive uses • Forest management in Hawaii as a worthwhile alternative to agriculture/grazing • Environmental concerns • Government incentives • Wood prices (koa is worth more than mahogany)

  10. Present situation (cont.) • Forest management for timber based on rudimentary equations • Eg. Use of Acacia melanoxylon in lieu of A. koa • Difficult to establish value of standing trees • Little data on site indexes, growth curves, stocking guides • Unknown returns on forest investment • Difficult to prepare silvicultural prescriptions

  11. Present situation (cont.) • Use non-volume basis for native forest management • Basal area • Stems/acre • Diameter distribution • Not able to utilize volume control for allowable harvests

  12. Complicating factors • Acacia koa • Variable growth form • Young forest

  13. Young, forest grown Koa

  14. Young, forest grown Koa

  15. Complicating factors • Acacia koa • Variable growth form • Young forest • Pasture & forest relicts

  16. Forest relicts

  17. Forest relicts

  18. Forest relicts

  19. Complicating factors • Acacia koa • Variable growth form • Young forest • Pasture & forest relicts • Old field

  20. Old field Koa

  21. Old field Koa

  22. Complicating factors • Acacia koa • Variable phenotype • Young forest • Pasture & forest relicts • Young pasture • Genetic variability • Heartwood (important – value driver) • Elevational • Inter-island

  23. Genetic variability of heartwood

  24. Current work • Exotics: • Division of forestry and wildlife has prepared local volume equations for • Eucalyptus grandis • Eucalyptus saligna • Flindersia brayleyana • Forest solutions working on young koa volume equations (DBH & HT based) • Taper data collected

  25. Current challenges • Coordination of data collection and synthesis • Preparation of local volume equations, growth models and stocking guides • Partnerships with land management agencies • Collaboration with biometry experts • Invitation • Forest Solutions would like to collaborate with biometry experts to resolve these issues

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