• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.315-321
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• 2014

Forest timber production potential of any site is oftentimes measured quantitatively by site index, which is defined as dominant height of a particular stand at a specified age. A site index was developed for estimating site quality of monoculture Pinus caribaea plantations in southwestern Nigeria using a base age of 25 years. Dominant height data were collected from 60 Temporary Sample Plots (TSPs) of $20{\times}20m$ in plantations of 15 to 37 years. Linear and non-linear models as been widely applied in quantitative forest measurements were fitted to dominant height-age data and the best site index equation is : $SI=Exp^{(InHd-23.495(A^{-2}-0.04)}$. The site index curves constructed for the three sites (Omo Forest Reserve - OFR (J4), Oluwa Forest Reserve - OLFR and Shasha Forest Reserve - SFR) across the southwestern Nigeria using the chosen equation revealed that a 15 year old Pinus caribaea in the study area attained average dominant heights of 25, 22 and 21 m in OFR (J4), OLFR and SFR respectively. The site index equation and curves proffer veritable insight into better silvicultural options and management practices for the future plantations suitable sites.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.280-290
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• 2016

Stem diameter variability is an essential inventory result that provides useful information in forest management decisions. Little has been done to explore the modelling potentials of standard deviation (SDD) and coefficient of variation (CVD) of diameter at breast height (dbh). This study, therefore, was aimed at developing and testing models for predicting SDD and CVD in stands of Pinus caribaea Morelet (pine) in south west Nigeria. Sixty temporary sample plots of size $20m{\times}20m$, ranging between 15 and 37 years were sampled, covering the entire range of pine in south west Nigeria. The dbh (cm), total and merchantable heights (m), number of stems and age of trees were measured within each plot. Basal area ($m^2$), site index (m), relative spacing and percentile positions of dbh at $24^{th}$, $63^{rd}$, $76^{th}$ and $93^{rd}$ (i.e. $P_{24}$, $P_{63}$, $P_{76}$ and $P_{93}$) were computed from measured variables for each plot. Linear mixed model (LMM) was used to test the effects of locations (fixed) and plots (random). Six candidate models (3 for SDD and 3 for CVD), using three categories of explanatory variables (i.e. (i) only stand size measures, (ii) distribution measures, and (iii) combination of i and ii). The best model was chosen based on smaller relative standard error (RSE), prediction residual sum of squares (PRESS), corrected Akaike Information Criterion ($AIC_c$) and larger coefficient of determination ($R^2$). The results of the LMM indicated that location and plot effects were not significant. The CVD and SDD models having only measures of percentiles (i.e. $P_{24}$ and $P_{93}$) as predictors produced better predictions than others. However, CVD model produced the overall best predictions, because of the lower RSE and stability in measuring variability across different stand developments. The results demonstrate the potentials of CVD in modelling stem diameter variability in relationship with percentiles variables.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.81-101
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• 1995

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technology, a recent approach in molecular genetics, is much usable to select the elite trees and to maximize the genetic gain in forest tree breeding program, providing a clue to determine the genetic marker-trait correlation. This review intorduces research on bark thickness and breeding strategy in Pinus elliottii, Pinus caribaea and their hybrid by Queensland Forest Service and ForBio Research Pty Ltd, University of Queensland, which employ RAPD technology. Genetic linkage map of $F_1$ hybrids includes 186 RAPD markers and 16 linkage groups (1641 cM long in total) and 6 quantitative trait loci are located putatively for bark thickness. Following recent research results and experiences in pine breeding programs, the forseeable stages in the application and development are proposed for marker assisted selectin; stage 1-determination of species specific markers for genes controlling traits of commercial interest, and stage 2-determination of marker-allele association for specific allelic variants within pure species. As pines inherit their megagametophytes from the seed parent and zygotic embryos from both male and female parents, the determination of marker-trait correlation is possible even in embryo stage, eventually making ways for the early selection of elite individuals.