Characterization of diameter distribution of some tree species from Gilgit-baltistan using weibull distribution

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Research Paper 01/10/2014
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Characterization of diameter distribution of some tree species from Gilgit-baltistan using weibull distribution

Muhammad Akbar, S. Shahid Shaukat, Moinuddin Ahmed, Alamdar Hussain, Sujjad Hyder, Shaukat Ali, Faisal Hussain, ghulam Raza, Syed Arif Hussain, Haibat Ali, Muhammad Raza,Salar Ali, Karamat Ali
J. Bio. Env. Sci.5( 4), 437-444, October 2014.
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Abstract

Forty stands were sampled to investigate the overall diameter size classes of four dominant tree species of some forests from Gilgit-Baltsitan. On the basis of overall density of individuals of a species the size class structure was derived. Pinus wallichiana A.B.Jacks .occupied 128±21.1 mean stems ha-1, Picea smithiana (Wall.)Boiss. attained 121±5 mean stems ha-1 ,Betula utilis D.Don had a density of 61±18.8 mean stems ha-1 while Juniperus excelsa M.Bieb. had 38±14.3 mean stems ha-1.The DBH distribution of each species was characterized by a three parameter Weibull probability distribution. This distribution was selected as a model since it is flexible and has been demonstrated to provide a good-fit to the size-class structure. Using the maximum likelihood method of parameter estimation, Weibull parameters , a, b and c were estimated and the cumulative distribution was fitted to DBH of evergreen and broad-leaf tree species in which DBH served as an independent variable of the diameter distribution of the natural unevenaged forests. The model showed usually excellent fit to the distribution as indicated by high R2 values. These models can prove to be very handy for an effective management of forest resources.

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