Preliminary site index curves for pure and mixed forests of Nothofagus alpina and Nothofagus obliqua in Patagonia Argentina

Abstract

The growth of the dominant height of the stand and the IS is assumed to express the effects of all relevant site factors on the growth. The objective was to develop a function which could express the dominant growth pattern in height within the range of ages and site qualities in mixed N. alpina and N. obliqua (Neuquén, Argentina). Data were obtained from stem analyses by destructive sampling, and Chapman-Richards function was used (guide curve method). A global setting for each species (specific models) and another with both species together (mixed model) were performed. Adjustments were evaluated through standard error of the estimate, the average absolute error, the coefficient of determination; besides considering the biological behavior using a graphical tree-to-tree evaluation of the goodness of fit. A graphical analysis of the dispersion of the parameters was performed by site class for each species according to the IS. Linear models were tested to detect trends in the same. Finally, we have established four classes of site quality. The growth pattern of N. obliqua and N. alpina has been significantly anamorphic among the age ranges and site quality ranges studied. Species have shown similar patterns, reinforcing the similarity found in previous studies in other dimensional variables. This has facilitated the development of a unique model, which facilitates assessment of the quality of site planning and management of mixed stands.