Selecting a small tree height growth model for mixed-species stands in the southern interior of British Columbia, Canada

Several small tree height growth models were compared for their fit to data from major tree species in the southern interior of British Columbia (BC), Canada. Using data collected in the interior cedar hemlock (ICH) and interior Douglas-fir (IDF) zones of the BC Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification (BEC) system, small tree height growth was estimated as a function of tree size, competition measure, and site variables using various model forms and independent variable combinations. A non-linear model using transformations and combinations of slope, aspect, current height, and basal area of larger trees was determined to best predict small tree height growth of both coniferous and hardwoods. This model will be subsequently incorporated into the on-going modelling effort to adapt a version of the US-based Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS) for BC (Prognosis BC).