Height-diameter models for <i>Tectona grandis</i> (Linn F.) in Tse-Dei, Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

Height-diameter models are important in forest assessment. Height-diameter models are used to estimate tree volume, survival analysis, to predict missing tree height and biomass and to describe stand growth dynamics and succession. Tree height measurement are expensive and time consuming. The objective of the research was to develop equation for estimating tree height as a function of diameter at breast height for Tectona grandis (Teak). The study was conducted at Tse-Dei, simple random sampling technique was employed and four linear models were selected. Coefficient of determination (R²), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Significance of Regression (F-val) and Confidence Interval (CI) were the criteria applied to evaluate the predictive performance of the models. The model of Curtis LogH = b₀ + (b₁D^-1) was the best of the four models because it attained a rank of one and has the highest R² (0.610) and the lowest RMSE (0 0.063). The selected model can accurately predict tree height when fitted to stands with diameter at breast height. The selected model can be used in similar condition of teak species in the north-central region of Nigeria for effective decision making and for future prediction of teak height.