Estimating stem volume using stem taper equation for Quercus mongolica in South Korea

This study was conducted to develop a stem volume table for Quercus mongolica in Korea by using Kozak’s stem taper equation. A total of 958 Quercus mongolica sample trees were collected around the country and a growth performance was investigated through compiling data of diameters by stem height and stem analysis. Fitness Index (FI), Bias, and Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD) were used to test the stem taper equation’s fitness. The fitness of the equation was estimated at 98%, bias as −0.0024, and MAD turned out as 0.6814. Furthermore, there was a statistically significant volume difference between the current volume table and the new volume table (p <.005). The result indicates that using the new volume table which reflects the actual forest will reduce a loss when assessing wood resources and also improve the accuracy of forest statistics at national and local governments. A stem volume table, the main result of this research which is utilized by estimated stem taper equation, will provide growth information of Quercus mongolica, one of the main broadleaf species in Korea and furthermore, work as a management indicator for rational forest management.