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Biometric Challenges of Hawaii Forest Management

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

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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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