Required Input
Data requirements
Data needs in a typical parameterization include:
Units can be in metric or English with two levels length and width units. For metric units, length units are meters and width units are centimeters. For English units, length units are in feet and width units are in inches.
A plot of the trees of interest with the following items collect on each tree.
- Unique tree identifier (tree number),
- Growth form group (Usually species),
- Tree coordinates:
- Either x and y in Cartesian coordinates (length units), (z for the tree base may be stored)
- Or azimuth and distance in polar coordinates (Azimuth and length units),
- Diameter at breast height (width units),
- Total height (length units),
- Status (live or dead).
Crown data can be collected in a range for simple to complex. In it's simplest form one crown radius and one crown length is needed it assumed apply to all directions until another sections is encountered. If multiple sections are encountered the intermediate values are interpolated allowing the description of complex tree crowns.
- Unique tree identifer (tree number) to match the trees above,
- Section number (Minimum of one),
- Azimuth of the measurement (azimuth),
- Crown length on this side (length units)
- Crown radius in the direction of the azimuth (length units).
Some height-age data on each growth form group in the plot. This can be collect from any stem analysis or repeat measurement of the plot. These data include:
- Growth form group (Usually species),
- Total tree age by section or time
- Total tree height at this age
Additionally, some simple taper data is need on each growth form group.
- Growth form group (Usually species),
- Stump Diameter (width units),
- Diameter at breast height (width units),
- Upper stem diameter (width units):
- Usually top of first log or below crown base
- Height to upper stem diameter (length units)
- Total tree height (length units)