METHOD TO PROVIDE CONSISTENT ESTIMATED GROWTH AND YIELD VALUES FOR LOBLOLLY PINE PLANTATIONS

The invention provides an easy-to-use method of containing consistent growth and yield values at varying levels of resolution (stand, size-class) for loblolly pine plantations in the southern United States. The invention is able to make projections of estimated values using either existing stand data, or predicted from bare-ground conditions. The invention evaluates stand performance based on estimates of potential or "target" productivity yields. The invention provides long-term expected yields for strategic planning, and short term projections for inventory purposes. The invention can function as a simulation tool to provide insights into the life-cycle of a stand under varying initial conditions. While most growth and yield models use an empirical, multiple regression, "best fits to the data" modelling methodology, the present invention is based upon a biomathematical modelling concept.