Development of volume tables for white poplar (Populus alba L.) trees using a non- destructive sampling in the Chaharmahal & Bakhtiari province of Iran

Document Type : Complete scientific research article

Authors

1 Associate Prof., Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, I.R. Iran

2 Assistant Prof., Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, I.R. Iran

3 Research Expert, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, I.R. Iran

4 Senior Research Expert, Research Division of Natural Resources, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Shahrekord, I.R. Iran

Abstract

Background and objectives: Estimating the volume stock of poplar plantations is crucial for understanding their current status and ensuring sustainable management in order to production planning and enhances decision-making for the development of wood farming. Volume tables, as one of these key tools, enable economic planning and optimization of exploitation. For the development of these tables, the use of non-destructive sampling that allow estimating volume without damaging the trees is of great importance. The aim of this research is to prepare a single- and double-entry volume tables for white poplar (Populus alba L.) species in Chaharmahal & Bakhtiari province, so that it is possible to sell poplar wood based on volume and provide more profit to the poplar farmer.
Materials and methods: To conduct this research, first, main poplar stands in Chaharmahal & Bakhtiari province were identified through field operations. Then, in 10 different poplar stands with Populus alba L., a total of 67 trees were selected by using stratified random sampling method, based on diameter classes from 10 to 30 cm. For each selected tree, diameter at breast height (DBH) and total height were measured. Using a Leica D810 laser-based device, from the stem collar of each sample tree, diameters at both ends of each 2-m log along the stem were measured without felling the trees. In the next step, the actual stem volume of each tree was then calculated by summing the volumes of the 2-m logs, obtained from the Smalian’s formula. To evaluate the accuracy of the Leica D810 device in measuring stem diameters at various heights, a set of 13 poplar trees, which were previously scheduled for felling, were used. The diameters of these trees at different stem heights before and after felling were measured using a Leica device and Caliper, respectively, and compared using a paired Student’s t-test. To develop volume tables, data on diameter, height, and stem volume of sample trees were analyzed using nonlinear regression models. For this purpose, seven single-entry models (based on DBH alone) and nine double-entry models (based on both DBH and total height) were fitted for the data of diameter with actual stem volume and diameter and height with actual stem volume of trees, respectively. Then, model performance was evaluated using AIC (Akaike Information Criterion), RMSE (Root Mean Square Error), MAE (Mean Absolute Error), NSE (Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency), and WI (Willmott Index of Agreement) to select the best model.
Results: The results of the paired t-test showed that no significant difference between the Leica and caliper in diameter measurements, in other words, the two devices performed the same for measuring the diameter. For estimating the volume stock and prepare a single- and double-entry volume tables, among the models, Schumacher-Hall model (RMSE%= 10% & R2= 0.98) performed best for double-entry, while the Berkhout model (RMSE%= 17% & R2= 0.95) showed the highest accuracy for single-entry. Single- entry (one- way) volume table was obtained based on the equation V=0.00003776×D2.969 and double- entry (two- way) volume table was prepared based on the equation V=0.0000276×D2.295×H0.7785.
Conclusion: The regression models developed in this study can be effectively used to estimate the standing volume of white poplar trees, aiding in plantation management and wood volume-based sales. The findings of this study can be valuable baseline information for use in determining the accurate standing and saleable volume of each poplar stand, planning and management decisions regarding harvesting, growth analysis, and sustainable management strategies in the field of wood farming development and related industries development in Chaharmahal & Bakhtiari province.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

1.Ahmadloo, F., Dehghan, R., Salehi, A., & Escandari, S. (2023). Surveying and study on the biometric variables of poplar plantations in Guilan province. Iranian Journal of Forest. 15(2), 195-210. [In Persian]
2.Talebi, M., Modirrahmati, A., Jahanbazi, H., Hemati, A., & Haghighian, F. (2007). Investigation on growth characteristics of Poplar clones in research nursery of Boldaji station. Iranian Journal of Forest and Poplar Research. 15(4), 349-364.
[In Persian]
3.Talebi, M., Calagari, M., Iranmanesh, Y., Derakhshan, S., & Gholipour, Z. (2025). Quantitative and production status of wood in poplar plantations of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, Iran. Iranian Journal of Forest and Poplar Research. 33(1), 86-100. [In Persian]
4.Calagari, M., Mirakhorlou, Kh., Salehi, A., Ahmadloo, F., Teimouri, S., Jafari, A., Eskandari, S., Bagheri, R., Araghi,
M. K., Khodayi, M. B., & Ghasemi, R. (2022). Implementation of the national plan for the development of wood farming is essential for forests conservation and the supply of wood raw materials in the country. Journal of Iran Nature. 7(1), 9-19. [In Persian]
5.Gorji Bahri, Y. (1992). Preparation of volume table for Populus euramericana
I-214. Journal of Forest and Rangeland. Publications of Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands. 82, 25-32. [In Persian]
6.Sagheb-Talebi, Kh. (1996). Volume table of Populus euramericana I-448. Research & Construction. 30, 58-61. [In Persian]
7.Hjelm, B., & Johansson, T. (2012). Volume equations for poplars growing on farmland in Sweden. Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research. 27(6), 561-566.
8.Bagheri, R., Namiranian, M., Zobeiry, M., & Modir Rahmati, A. R. (2002). Determination of volume tables for Zanjan-Rood river native poplars. Iranian Journal of Forest and Poplar Research. 9(1), 1-36. [In Persian]
9.Ghorani, M., Jahani, A., & Sardabi, H. (2014). Estimation of standing volume in Populus deltoides Marsh plantations by Huber and Smalian methods at Shafaroud forest, Guilan province. Iranian Journal of Forest and Poplar Research.
22(1), 74-81. [In Persian]
10.Faal-Khah, I., Ramezani Kakroudi, E., Alijanpour, A., & Banj Shafiei, A. (2017). The effect of spacing on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of black poplar (Populus nigra L.). Forest Research and Development. 2(4), 337-351. [In Persian]
11.Singhdoha, A., Bangarwa, K. S., Johar, V., Hooda, B. K., & Dhillon, R. S. (2018). Assessment of general volume table for Populus deltoides in northern Haryana. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. 7(1), 1665-1668.
12.Hjelm, B. (2021). Cumulative merchantable stem volume equations for poplar plantations on farmland in Sweden. Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology B. 11(1), 15-25.
13.Mohammed, A. J., Hanna, S. A., & Saadallah, H. GH. (2024). Estimating growth of Populus nigra stand using stand table method. Sabrao Journal of Breeding and Genetics. 56(2), 794-801.
14.Statistical center of Iran. (2022). Data and statistical information. The Statistical Yearbook, Publications of Management and Planning Organization of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, Shahrekord, Iran. 52p. [In Persian]
15.Jahani, A., Kalagari, M., Modirrahmati, A. R., & Ghasemi, R. (2014). Determining the best stem form factor equation for Populus deltoides in poplar plantations of Alborz Research Station, Karaj. Iranian Journal of Forest and Poplar Research. 22(2), 216-224. [In Persian]
16.Zobeiri, M. (1994). Forest inventory. Tehran University Press, Tehran, 401p. [In Persian]
17.De Oliveira, X. M., Ribeiro, A., Filho, A. C. F., Mayrinck, R., De Lima, R., & Scolforo, J. R. S. (2018). Volume equations for Khaya ivorensis A. Chev. plantations in Brazil. Annals of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences.
90(4), 3285-3298.
18.Santos, F. M., Terra, G., Chaer, G. M., & Monte, M. A. (2018). Modeling the height–diameter relationship and volume of young African mahoganies established in successional agroforestry systems in northeastern Brazil. New Forests. 50(7-8), 1-19.
19.Imana- Encinas, J., Antunes-Santana, O., & Riesco-Munoz, G. (2019). Selection of a volumetric equation for Eucalyptus urophylla S.T. Blake in the central region of the state of Goias, Brazil. Revista Forestal Mesoamericana Kuru. 16(39), 2-9.
20.de Lima, Q. S., da Cunha, T. A., Amaro, M. A., Figueiredo, E. O., & Parente, P. R. F. (2021). Volume estimate for three timber species with commercial interest from the diameter of the stump. Floresta. 51(3), 776-784.
21.Assmann, E. (1970). The principles of forest yield study. Pergamon Press, Oxford, 506p.
22.Van Laar, A., & Akca, A. (2007). Forest mensuration. Vol.13. Springer Science, Dordrecht, 383p.
23.Loetsch, F., Zöhrer, F., & Haller, K. E. (1973). Forest inventory. Vol II, 1st edn. BLV Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, München, 469 p.
24.Possu, W. B., Brandle, J. R., Domke, G.M., Schoeneberger, M., & Blankenship, E. (2016). Estimating carbon storage in windbreak trees on U.S. agricultural lands. Agroforestry Systems. 90(5), 889-904.
25.Spurr, S. (1952). Forest inventory. The Ronald Press, New York, 333p.
26.Schumacher, F. X., & Hall, F. S. (1933). Logarithmic expression of timber-tree volume. Journal of Agricultural Research. 47, 719-734.
27.Varjo, J., Henttonen, H., Lappi, J., Heikkonen, J., & Juujärvi, J. (2006). Digital horizontal tree measurements for forest inventory. In Working Papers of the Finnish Forest Research Institute; Finnish Forest Research Institute: Joensuu, Finland, 23p.
28.Coelho, J., Fidalgo, B., Crisóstomo, M. M., Salas-González, R., Coimbra, A. P., & Mendes, M. (2021).
Non-destructive fast estimation of tree stem height and volume using image processing. Symmetry. 13(3), 374.
29.He, C., Hong, X., Liu, K. Z., Zhang, S., & Wang, Q. (2016). An improved technique for non-destructive measurement of the stem volume of standing wood. Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science. 78(1), 53-60.
30.Vandendaele, B., Martin-Ducup, O., Fournier, R. A., Pelletier, G., & Lejeune, P. (2022). Mobile laser scanning for estimating tree structural attributes in a temperate hardwood forest. Remote Sensing. 14(18), 4522.
31.Liu, J., Feng, Z., Mannan, A., Khan, T. U., & Cheng, Z. (2019). Comparing non-destructive methods to estimate volume of three tree taxa in Beijing, China. Forests. 10(2), 92.
32.Tewari, V. P. (2007). Total wood volume equations and their validation for Tecomella undulate plantations in hot arid region of India. Indian Forester. 133, 1648-1658.
33.Aminu, S. A., Daniel, S., & Yakubu, I. (2019). Tree volume equation for Populus deltoides (Poplar) tree under agroforestry based. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences. 8(2), 1470-1475.
Journal of Wood and Forest Science and Technology
Volume 32, Issue 4
January 2026
Pages 25-46

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics