Isparta University of Applied Sciences Faculty of Forestry
Doi
Abstract
Diameter distribution models provide valuable insights into stand structure. This study aimed to model the diameter distributions of uneven-aged oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky.) stands located in the Cide and İnebolu regions of Kastamonu Province. For this purpose, measurements obtained from 266 sample plots were used to fit Gamma, Lognormal, and Weibull probability density functions. The parameters of the functions were estimated using Maximum Likelihood Method and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) statistic was used to determine the most appropriate function. Based on evaluations using the KS statistic, the Lognormal function was found to provide the best fit in terms of estimation accuracy. In addition, analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to determine whether the parameters of the Lognormal function significantly differed among different stand types, and it was found that the parameters varied significantly at the 95% confidence level. As a result, Lognormal probability density functions can be reliably used for predicting diameter distributions in uneven-aged beech stands along the coastal region of Kastamonu
