The standsSIM.md simulator currently integrates growth models for the most representative species of the Portuguese forest: eucalyptus, maritime and stone pines, sweet chestnut, and cork oak.

With the aim of increasing the number of forest species included in the simulator and/or making it more flexible with regard to the simulation of mixed stands (individual tree models), we propose you the following challenge.

Conduct a literature review to gather the following for the species you have chosen:

1)    Prediction module: growth equations (main variables) for the species available in the list provided;

2)    Calculation module: equations that allow you to estimate the derived variables;

3)    Initialisation module: if possible, equations to initialise new plantations;

 In the absence of tree-level models, you may choose to describe a stand-level model for your species, or a yield table.

In the absence of equations developed for Portugal, you should extend the research to Spain in order to produce simulations for volumes and biomass per hectare (preferably covering biomass by tree component and especially for the fruit if fruit production is the main management objective.

In the document, you should provide a brief description of the data used to develop the different equations, identify the principal, derived and control variables, distribute the equations across the different modules, diagramming how they are interconnected, and construct some tables to present them. Finally, conclude with a paragraph or two listing and discussing any limitations you believe exist in terms of the model’s implementation and applicability at a national level.

This short report (PDF) should follow a similar structure to the report provided for the Globulus3.0 model. The report should not exceed 10 pages, including the tables with the equations and parameters (excluding bibliographical references).

If you have any questions, please contact me so that I can guide you through the research and the preparation of the report.