New Insights into Tree Height Distribution Based on Mixed Effects Univariate Diffusion Processes

The aim of this paper is twofold: to introduce the mathematics of stochastic differential equations (SDEs) for forest dynamics modeling and to describe how such a model can be applied to aid our understanding of tree height distribution corresponding to a given diameter using the large dataset provided by the Lithuanian National Forest Inventory (LNFI). Tree height-diameter dynamics was examined with Ornstein-Uhlenbeck family mixed effects SDEs. Dynamics of a tree height, volume and their coefficients of variation, quantile regression curves of the tree height, and height-diameter ratio were demonstrated using newly developed tree height distributions for a given diameter. The parameters were estimated by considering a discrete sample of the diameter and height and by using an approximated maximum likelihood procedure. All models were evaluated using a validation dataset. The dataset provided by the LNFI (2006-2010) of Scots pine trees is used in this study to estimate parameters and validate our modeling technique. The verification indicated that the newly developed models are able to accurately capture the behavior of tree height distribution corresponding to a given diameter. All of the results were implemented in a MAPLE symbolic algebra system.