Evaluation of different statistical distributions for estimation of diameter distribution within forest development stages in Shafaroud beech stands

As a necessary tool, statistical distributions have a wide application in forest. Actual and future condition of stands, description of stand structure and reaction of stands to silvicultural interventions are other applications of these functions in forest management. In order to study the statistical distributions, three sample plots of one hectare, were selected in three development stages of an untouched beech stand in Shafaroud forest. DBH of all trees (larger than 7.5 cm) within the sample plots were assessed. Distribution functions were fitted to the stem number distribution in diameter classes and were compared to the observed data within development stages using Kolmogrove-Smirnov, Anderson-Darling and Chi-Square tests by Easyfit software. Results showed that 1) for initial stage, three-parameter log-normal, 2) for optimal stage, beta and 3) for decay stage, Johnson’s SB have been fitted. In general, three-parameter log-normal function has been fitted well for all three stages.