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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2026, Vol. 62 ›› Issue (7): 38-49.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.LYKX20250384

• Research papers • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Estimation of Potential Productivity of Larix olgensis Plantations Based on 3-PGmix Process-Based Model and Optimization Algorithm

Hongchao Huang1,Xiangdong Lei1,*(),Hong Guo1,Guangcheng Luo1,2,Xiao He1   

  1. 1. State Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources Key Laboratory of Forest Management and Growth Modelling, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Institute of Forest Resource Information Techniques, Chinese Academy of Forestry Beijing 100091
    2. College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University Beijing 100083
  • Received:2025-06-11 Online:2026-07-10 Published:2026-07-16
  • Contact: Xiangdong Lei E-mail:xdlei@ifirit.ac.cn

Abstract:

Objective: This study aims to develop a novel method for estimating stand potential productivity based on a process-based model and optimization algorithm, thereby providing a scientific basis for site quality assessment and forest management. Method: The 3-PGmix model was calibrated using continuous observation data from pure stands of Larix olgensis obtaied from China’s national forest inventory. The model was evaluated by the coefficient of determination (R2), mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE) and relative root mean square error (rRMSE). Two target scenarios were set: maximization of annual volume increment and 5-year periodic mean increment. A particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm was applied to estimate the maximum stand volume productivity and corresponding optimal forest density under five different site quality grades. Based on these results, the optimal diameter structure was derived using the scale and shape parameter models of the Weibull distribution. Result: 1) In the calibrated and validated data, the mean diameter at breast height (DBH), stem density, stand volume, and stem biomass of L. olgensis plantations simulated by the 3-PGmix model were consistent with the measured values in the plot, with R2 values greater than 0.86 and rRMSE less than 16%. 2) At the base age of 30 years, the potential volume productivity of L. olgensis plantations at the maximum annual and periodic average growth increment for the five site grades ranged from 4.50 to 8.11 m3·hm?2a?1 and from 4.53 to 8.18 m3·hm?2a?1, respectively. 3) The number of diameter classes, which reached the potential productivity of accumulation, increased monotonically with stand age, and the Shannon index of diameter classes exhibited an increasing trend after a fluctuating pattern at the early growth stage. The two indicators showed higher values under better site quality conditions. Conclusion: The integration of the process-based 3-PGmix model and the PSO algorithm enables effective estimation of volume potential productivity, compensating for the limitations of traditional methods that do not account for self-thinning and climatic factors, and thereby provides a new approach for potential productivity estimation of forest stands.

Key words: site quality assessment, 3-PGmix model, potential productivity, particle swarm optimization

CLC Number: