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Spatial modeling of site productivity and plant species diversity using remote sensing and geographical information system

Date

2011

Authors

Mohamed, Adel Ahmed Hassan, author
Reich, Robin M., advisor
Khosla, Rajiv, advisor
Andales, Allan, committee member
Wei, Yu, committee member

Journal Title

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Abstract

The primary objective of this study was to describe the variability in site productivity of the diverse forests found in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. This information is fundamental for the management and sustainability of the species-rich forests in the state. The study also contributes to developing conservation-management program for the plant species diversity in Elba protected area in Egypt. The objective of chapter 1 was to develop site productivity index (SPI) curves for eight major forest types in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, using the height-diameter relationship of the dominant trees. Using permanent plot data, selected height-diameter functions were evaluated for their predictive performance within each of the major forest types. An important finding of this study was that a simple linear model could be used to describe the height-diameter relationship of the dominant trees in all of the major forest types considered in this study. SPI varied significantly among forest types, which are largely determined by the trends in temperature and precipitation. SPI decreased with increasing temperature and increased with increasing precipitation. The height-diameter relationship of the dominant trees was independent of stand density, and the more productive sites are able to sustain higher levels of basal area and volume, than the less productive sites. Trees on more productive sites had less taper than trees on less productive sites; and stand density did not influence the form or taper of the dominant trees. Chapter 2 evaluates methods to model the spatial distribution of site productivity in eight major forest types found in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. A site productivity index (SPI) based on the height-diameter relationship of dominant trees was used to estimate the site productivity of 818 forests plots located throughout the state. A combination of regression analysis and a tree-based stratified design was used to describe the relationship between SPI and environmental variables which included soil attributes (pH, sand, and silt), topography (elevation, aspect, and slope), and climate (temperature and precipitation). The final model explained 59% of the observed variability in SPI. GIS layers representing SPI for each forest type, along with associated estimates of the prediction variance are developed. Chapter 3 characterizes plant species richness on four major transects in Elba protected area in Egypt. Species data recorded on 63 sample plots were used to characterize the plant species richness by species group (trees, shrubs and subshrubs). Poisson regression was used to identify explanatory variables for estimating species richness of each species group. Important variables included the location of the line transect (A, B, C, and D), soil texture (gravel, sand, silt and clay), pH, and elevation. The final model explained 23%, 58%, and 52% in the variability of species richness for shrubs, subshrubs, and trees, respectively. The results of the study will contribute to the development of an inventory and monitoring program aimed at the conservation and management of species diversity in Elba protected area of Egypt.

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Subject

height-diameter equations
Poisson regression
Shannon-Weaver index
spatial estimation
tree-based stratified design
tree taper

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