Melbourne School of Land and Environment Department of Forest and Ecosystem Science

Darren Grant

Department of Forest and Ecosystem Science
The University of Melbourne, Parkville Campus
VIC, 3010, Australia
Email:d.grant2@pgrad.unimelb.edu.au

Degree

Master of Forest Science

Thesis title

Measurement and use of edaphic variables to predict plantation productivity

Supervisors

Dr Tom Baker
Dr Paul Feikema
Dr Craig Beverly
Dr Neil McKenzie

Project description

Greater accuracy in modelling plant available water (PAW) and root growth and occupancy in the soil profile is an important input for process-based models to simulate the growth of tree stands, particularly in water-limited environments.

The objectives of this study are to investigate how to better represent PAW and root growth and occupancy within 3-PG forest growth model.

My project is researching edaphic variables that affect forest plantation productivity, and their application in growth and yield models. Particular areas of investigation include how PAW is measured or predicted from standard soil morphological attributes, depth of rooting, and rate of root growth / occupancy of the soil volume. The effect of these variables on tree growth in a process model will be investigated, including an assessment of the level of detail required for the model to capture the range and sensitivity in the relationships between PAW and tree growth. Soil profiles have been described in detail under Eucalyptus globulus plantations in south-eastern Australia, and together with growth data from permanent growth monitoring plots, will allow for more comprehensive model calibration and validation.

This postgraduate project is undertaken within Programme 1 of the CRC for Forestry: Managing and Monitoring for Growth and Health.

 

 

Link to Postgraduate index page

 

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