GLOBTREE: an individual tree growth model for Eucalyptus globulus in Portugal.

This chapter presents the development of a tree survival probability equation and a tree diameter increment submodel, of the type potential function × modifier function. These two submodels are components of a wider modelling project to obtain an individual tree growth model for first-rotation Eucalyptus globulus plantations located in the north and central coastal regions of Portugal. The submodels are based on data from permanent plots and trials. The effects of competition on stand structure and tree growth were analysed, leading to the definition of different stages of stand development, according to the mean stand crown ratio. The hypothesis that different submodels are required to adequately describe growth at different stages of stand development was tested. This chapter also describes the full model, which also includes the following submodels: a dominant height growth equation, a tree crown ratio prediction equation, a tree height-diameter equation and a tree volume prediction equation.