Forest managers now operate in an information-rich but increasingly challenging environment in which the competing demands of environmental stewardship and sustainable management must counter-balance the demands of increased production and profitability. Management support tools, in particular, decision support systems are essential aids in this operating environment. A dynamic forest growth model, CArbon BALAnce (CABALA), that links carbon, water and nitrogen flows through the atmosphere, trees and soil including soil organic matter is presented here as a central part of a silvicultural decision support system. The strong linkage between stand biomass allocation and external environmental conditions make CABALA a model suitable for exploring stand management options and the effects of factors such as frost and drought on growth. The model performance is verified extensively using fertiliser, spacing and thinning trials. Predictions of nitrogen mineralisation, light interception, plant water stress, and biomass allocation as well as stand growth and stand leaf area index are tested with observed data. Crown Copyright © 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Research Division:	Biological Sciences
Research Group:	Evolutionary biology
Research Field:	Biogeography and phylogeography
Objective Division:	Plant Production and Plant Primary Products
Objective Group:	Forestry
Objective Field:	Hardwood plantations
UTAS Author:	Battaglia, M (Dr Michael Battaglia)
UTAS Author:	Sands, PJ (Dr Peter Sands)
UTAS Author:	Mummery, DC (Mr Daryl Mummery)
ID Code:	30228
Year Published:	2004
Web of Science® Times Cited:	160
Deposited By:	Geography and Environmental Studies
Deposited On:	2004-08-01
Last Modified:	2005-04-26
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