Diameter Growth of Silver Fir (Abies alba Mill.), Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), and Black Pine (Pinus nigra Arnold) in Central European Forests: Findings from Slovenia

The main objectives of the study were to (1) determine response diameter growth silver fir, Scots pine, and black pine in Central European seminatural forests tree, stand, environmental factors (2) test for differences their rate on different soils. Based 26,291 permanent sampling plots (500 m² each), we developed a linear mixed-effects model increment each these tree species. models explained 32%–47% total variability. differ set predictors. All suggested non-linear effect increment. Nine predictors common all three (stand basal area, quadratic mean diameter, area overtopping trees, proportion beech stand volume, inclination, elevation, annual temperature, diurnal range, soil unit), six specific one or two (tree logarithm other broadleaves, site productivity, rockiness, eastness index). Tree was most important variable fir growth, while climatic variables variability growth. unit contributed from 5.3% 7.5% Although are only locally accurate cannot be used outside without validation, predictions can compared those simulators geographical regions.