Development and validation of a stem volume equation for <i>Cupressus lusitanica</i> in Gergeda Forest, Ethiopia

Abstract

Stem volume equations were fitted for Cupressus lusitanica in Gergeda Forest, Ethiopia using six different established equation forms. A total of 260 trees were measured for their diameter at breast height (D), total height (H )and stem volume using destructive sampling methods. The data set was randomly divided into equal size for equation development and equation validation. Five fit statistics comprising of the fit index, root mean square error, bias (Ē ), absolute mean deviation and coefficient of variation were used to evaluate the performance of each equation. Among the different equations, the Schumacher and Hall function of the form V = b₁D^b2H^b3 (model 5), which estimates volume (V ) using diameter at breast height and total height as predicting variables, performed best and was then fitted to the combined data set for prediction of volume over-bark of C. lusitanica in Gergeda Forest. Overall, volume equations with two independent variables (D and H ) performed better than those with only one variable (D). The equations developed in this study can provide forest managers with accurate estimations of stem volumes for C. lusitanica in Gergeda Forest.

Keywords: Cupressus lusitanica, destructive sampling, Gergeda Forest, model validation, volume equations