Growth and yield and site classification using GIS tools in a plantation of Pinus taeda L. in southern Brazil

The main concern of forestry companies is to accurately estimate the productivity of their stands, as well as to characterize their areas of greatest productivity. With the advancement of technology, GIS (Geographic Information System) tools have gained space in forestry planning. In this research, the objective was to simulate the growth and productivity in a Pinus taeda L. plantation, evaluate its productive capacity through site curves and perform site interpolation through GIS tools. The study area of ​​this research was a P. taeda plantation composed of three ages (six, eight and nine years). A forest inventory was carried out in which 33 circular sampling units of 400 m² each were installed, randomly distributed throughout the area. For the analysis of growth and productivity, 32 trees of mean quadratic diameter (dg) were felled and for the analysis of the site index, 33 dominant trees (Hdom) were felled and the trunk analysis was performed. Growth and productivity predictions were adjusted to the Chapman-Richards model. The site index was obtained by adjusting the Schumacher model, while spatial interpolation of site classes was generated using Kriging. Growth and productivity predictions allowed determining the correct age for silvicultural interventions and the technical age of cutting, as well as the productive capacity of the area. Seven site curves were identified in the study area. The use of GIS tools allowed defining which areas are the most productive.