Exploring the sustainability of current management prescriptions for Pinus caribaea plantations in Cuba: a modelling approach

Blanco J. A., . and González E., . Exploring the sustainability of current management prescriptions for Pinus caribaea plantations in Cuba: a modelling approach. pp. 139-154. ISSN 0128-1283

The ecosystem model FORECAST was used to evaluate the sustainability of current management practices in Pinus caribaea plantations in Pinar del R­o (western Cuba). Model predictions were within the range of observed field measurements of height diameter stem density and volume. The model performed reasonably well in capturing general growth trends (r values for dominant height diameter and merchantable volume were 0.91 0.77 and 0.81 respectively). In the second part of our work model output of merchantable volume stem biomass soil organic matter and available N in soil were analysed in 18 different combinations of rotation length (25 vs. 50 years) thinning intensity (0 15 and 30 stems) and fertilisation (0 50 and 100 kg ha-1N) in order to study the effects of different management regimes on site fertility. Our results indicated that some of the current prescriptions could produce a considerable loss of nitrogen and in some cases a decrease in productivity after the third 25-year rotation. However other prescriptions can keep productivity and soil organic matter at acceptable levels. The results of our analysis illustrated the portability and utility of FORECAST as a scenario-analysis and decision-support tool in managing pine plantations in the Caribbean region and potentially elsewhere.

Full text available from: Official URL: http://www.frim.gov.my/v1/JTFSOnline/jtfs/v22n2/13...

Abstract

The ecosystem model FORECAST was used to evaluate the sustainability of current management practices in Pinus caribaea plantations in Pinar del R­o (western Cuba). Model predictions were within the range of observed field measurements of height diameter stem density and volume. The model performed reasonably well in capturing general growth trends (r values for dominant height diameter and merchantable volume were 0.91 0.77 and 0.81 respectively). In the second part of our work model output of merchantable volume stem biomass soil organic matter and available N in soil were analysed in 18 different combinations of rotation length (25 vs. 50 years) thinning intensity (0 15 and 30 stems) and fertilisation (0 50 and 100 kg ha-1N) in order to study the effects of different management regimes on site fertility. Our results indicated that some of the current prescriptions could produce a considerable loss of nitrogen and in some cases a decrease in productivity after the third 25-year rotation. However other prescriptions can keep productivity and soil organic matter at acceptable levels. The results of our analysis illustrated the portability and utility of FORECAST as a scenario-analysis and decision-support tool in managing pine plantations in the Caribbean region and potentially elsewhere.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	Pinus caribaea
AGROVOC Term:	Ecosystems
AGROVOC Term:	Stems
AGROVOC Term:	Soil organic matter
AGROVOC Term:	Thinning
AGROVOC Term:	Fertilization
AGROVOC Term:	Forest management
AGROVOC Term:	Caribbean
AGROVOC Term:	Bioassays
AGROVOC Term:	Biomass
Depositing User:	Ms. Suzila Mohamad Kasim
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 06:27
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/21496

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