Spatial dependence and individual-tree growth models. II. Modelling spatial dependence

Abstract

An individual-tree growth modelling methodology capable of explicitly modelling observed spatial dependence was sought using growth data for even-aged Eucalyptus pilularis (Smith.) in New South Wales, Australia. Candidate methodologies included the moving average autoregression, the directly specified Gaussian covariance function, and the Papadakis method. The directly specified Gaussian covariance function and the Papadakis method adequately modelled positive spatial dependence attributable to micro-site influences, but failed to model the negative spatial dependence attributable to competitive influences. The moving average autoregression was the only model which facilitated the simultaneo..