Abstract :
[en] Site index curves were developed for Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn. in southern Belgium. Five models of Duplat and Tran-Ha were fitted to a data set of 15 stem analyses divided into two data subsets clearly characterized by different height growth patterns. Model III was found to fit data sets best, both separately and combined. Various statistical comparisons made between the two curve sets underline shape variations corresponding to different soil conditions. A comparison between Belgian and other European curves highlights the effect of the soil on growth curve shape, which is at least as important as that of climatic factors. However, for practical reasons, the use of a general global model, which does not specifically take into account differences in height growth patterns, is satisfactory for productivity evaluation and is recommended for forest management.
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