Site Index Equations and Estimation of Productive Areas for Major Pine Species by Climatic Zones Using Environmental Factors

This study was conducted to develop site index equations for some pine species by climatic zones based on the relationships between site index and environmental factors. The selected pine species were Pinus densiflora Sieb. et. Zucc., Pinus densiflora for, erecta, and Pinus thunbergii. A total of 28 environmental factors were obtained from a digital forest site map. The influence of 28 environmental factors on site index was evaluated by multiple regression analysis. Four to eight environmental factors were selected in the final site index equation for pine species by climatic zones. The site index equations developed in this study was then verified by three evaluation statistics such as model`s estimation bias, model`s precision and mean square error type of measure. We concluded that the site index equations for the pine species by climatic Bones were capable of estimating forest site productivity. Based on these site index equations, the amount of productive areas for the species by climatic zones was estimated by applying the GIS technique to digital forest maps.