Development of an advanced growth and yield model for multipurpose sustainable forest management

我们建议与新斯科舍省森林业(NS)和NS自然资源部建立合作研究伙伴关系，具体目标是开发高级生长和产量(G&Y)模型。设想的模型框架将结合最先进的技术，将森林G&Y与生物物理条件和立地质量联系起来，控制新的营林措施下的生长、物种反应功能和森林-林分动态。该模型的设计将提供省级木材供应分析所需的林分和树木信息，并作为未来南半球和其他地区可持续森林管理规划的基础。目前，森林管理规划使用的G&Y估计来自于整个森林的样地。这些G&Y值大体上反映了根据物种组成和管理历史分类的各层的平均状况。这种G&Y值适用于采用单一管理制度的同龄林分，但不适用于不断使用的异龄林分。我们将开发一个稳健的、基于设计的经验树模型，该模型将纳入基于过程的数据。NS的森林业将直接从这项研究中受益，因为它拥有科学上可防御的G&Y预测协议。将对合作伙伴进行模型校准和使用方面的培训。这里设想的G&Y模式在结构和内容上将足够普遍，可以转移到加拿大和其他地方的其他司法管辖区。NS G&Y模型有可能被用来解决具有国家重要性的问题，包括气候变化对林分和景观发展进程的影响、物种替换、生态系统完整性以及在木材利用和森林管理的限制下森林用于固碳的利用。

We propose to establish a collaborative research partnership with the forest industry of Nova Scotia (NS) andthe NS Department of Natural Resources, with the specific goal to develop an advanced growth and yield (G&Y)model. The modelling framework envisioned will incorporate state-of-the-art technology to relate forest G&Y to biophysical conditions and site quality that control growth, species-response functions, and forest-stand dynamics under new silvicultural interventions. The model will be designed to provide stand and tree information required for provincial wood supply analyses and be the basis for future sustainable forest management planning in NS and elsewhere.Currently, forest management planning uses G&Y estimates derived from sampling plots placed throughout the forest. These G&Y values generally reflect average conditions in individual strata classified according tospecies composition and management history. Such G&Y values are normally acceptable when applied to even-aged stands treated with a single management regime, but not to inceasingly used uneven-aged management prescriptions. We will develop a robust, design-based empirical tree model that will incorporate process-based data. Forest industry in NS will directly benefit from this research by having a scientifically-defensible G&Y prediction protocol. Training of partners in model calibration and use will take place. The G&Y model envisioned here will be sufficiently general in its structure and content that it can be transferred to other jurisdictions in Canada, and elsewhere. The NS G&Y model has potential to be used to address questions of national importance including impacts of climate change on stand and landscape development processes, species replacement, and ecosystem integrity and use of forests for carbon sequestration under constraints of wood utilization and forest management.