New forest growth model improves accuracy in predicting tree mortality.
The researchers tested a forest growth model called PREBAS on uneven-aged forests in Finland. They added different tree size classes to the model and compared a new mortality model with the existing one. Results showed that adding size classes improved model predictions, especially for larger trees. The new mortality model was better at predicting mortality for larger trees, while the existing model was better for smaller trees. Overall, the study suggests that further calibration of the model with size classes is needed to better apply it to uneven-aged forests.