Efficiency of Kriging for Estimation and Mapping of Crown Cover and Density of Zagros Oak Forests (Case study: Dadabad Region, Khorramabad)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 M.Sc. Student, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, I.R. Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Forest Research Division, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Tehran, I.R. Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Lorestan, I.R. Iran

Abstract

Estimation and mapping of forest resources is a precondition for management, planning and research.
This research was conducted to investigate the spatial structure and estimation of crown cover and
density of an oak forest in the west of Iran (Loristan province) using kriging interpolation method of
geostatistics. Field sampling was performed based on a 100 m×100 m systematic grid using 2000 m2
circular samples. Overall, 80 sample plots were measured in 80 hectare. Experimental variograms for
forest stem density and crown cover were calculated and plotted using the geo-referenced inventory
plots. The calculated variogram of stem density and crown cover showed strong spatial
autocorrelation, which fitted by Gaussian model. Estimations were made by ordinary block (45 m×45
m) kriging. Cross-validation results showed that all the estimations are unbiased. Therefore, kriging
have the potential to more accurately estimate and map the crown cover and density of this kind of
coppice forests, accurately.

Keywords

References

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Forest and Wood Products
Volume 67, Issue 3 - Serial Number 3
October 2014
Pages 359-370

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