4.2. Management application
Multiplying the RSG equation, or predictions from it, by 0.49
carbon content or 20 MJ/kg energy value of dry wood, converts it
into a model to predict carbon or energy content. It would be
relatively straightforward to integrate the original or converted RSG
equationwith Douglas-fir growthmodels. Predicted RSG, carbon, or
energy values corresponding to the start andendage associatedwith
the growth model time step can be averaged to convert the
corresponding volume increment to dry weight of wood, carbon
storage, or energy. Our RSG model,which includes temperature and
soil moisture deficit variables, is more advanced than current
Douglas-fir growth models which do not include climate variables.
However, model users could provide interim default values either
using climate models or by generating simulated values from
distributions derived from historic PRISM data. While our study
succeededin developing a local SGmodel forDouglas-fir, it is limited
since all data are from a single experiment without replication in a
stand growing on a drought-prone soil responding to a local climate
regime. Future research sampling standswith various management
histories over a broader range of bio-geo-climatic zones will be
necessary to produce a more generalized model.