Modelling forest stand maturity from National Forest Inventory and terrestrial laser scanning data

Abstract

Estimation of forest maturity linked to the biomass (or carbon) stock capacity is considered one of the most important issues regarding forest management and planning. This doctoral thesis explores such relationships and considers the use of stand level maximum biomass stock as a proxy for forest maturity through site quality gradient, as a measure that can feasibly be estimated from National Forest Inventory data. The research study was conducted in Spain for maritime pine (Pinus pinaster ssp. atlantica H. de Vill.), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), beech-fir and silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) forests. Finally, the potential of terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) technology for estimating forest features in mature stands was also explored. For this purpose, the R package FORTLS was developed.