Predicting Timber Board Foot Volume Using Forest Landscape Model and Allometric Equations Integrating Forest Inventory Data

In this study, we present a methodology for predicting timber board foot volume using a forest landscape model, incorporating allometric equations and forest inventory data. The research focuses on the Ozark Plateau, a 48,000-square-mile region characterized by productive soils and varied precipitation. To simulate timber volume, we used the LANDIS PRO forest landscape model, initialized with forest composition data derived from the USDA Forest Service’s Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) plots. The model accounted for species-specific growth rates and was run from the year 2000 to 2100 at five-year intervals. Timber volume estimates were calculated using both quadratic mean diameter (QMD) and tree diameter in the Hahn and Hansen board foot volume equation. These estimates were compared across different forest types—deciduous, coniferous, and mixed stands—and verified against FIA plot data using a paired permutation test. Results showed high correlations between QMD and tree diameter methods, with a slightly lower volume estimate from the QMD approach. Projections indicate significant increases in board foot volume for key species groups such as red oak and white oak while showing declines toward the end of the model period in groups like shortleaf pine due to age-related mortality and regeneration challenges. The model’s estimates closely align with state-level FIA data, underscoring the effectiveness of the integrated approach. The study highlights the utility of integrating landscape models and forest inventory data to predict timber volume over time, offering valuable insights for forest management and policy planning.