Form Factor of Eucalyptus Saligna Species in a Commercial Forest Plantation

The present investigation proposes to determine the form factor of the species Eucalyptus saligna in a commercial forest plantation of the Tambillo bajo sector, of the Colta canton, Chimborazo province. For this purpose, 100 individual specimens with straight shafts and without bifurcations were taken as a sample, and each individual’s commercial and total height, diameter at breast height, and diameters along the stem were measured, to determine the real volume of the wood using the Smalian and Newton formulas, the graphical method, and with a form factor of 0.70. Based on the measured data, a comparative analysis of the calculation of real volume by the method used was performed; the results obtained showed significant differences between calculation methods. In addition, five potential volume equations that presented the highest adjusted coefficient of determination and the lowest mean square error were selected. To verify the commercial volume calculated with the estimated form factors against the volume equations, the commercial volume was recalculated based on the form factors and equations found. The calculation of the commercial volume by the Smalian formula is taken as the exact value, and the other methods are taken as approximated values. Keywords: dasometry, form factor, forest plantation, volumen equations, commercial volume. Resumen La presente investigacion propone: determinar el factor de forma de la especie Eucalyptus saligna en una plantacion forestal comercial; para lo cual se toma como muestra 100 individuos con fustes rectos y sin bifurcaciones, a cada individuo se midio la altura comercial y total, diametro a la altura del pecho y diametros a lo largo del fuste, para determinar el volumen real de madera utilizando la formula de Smalian, Newton, metodo grafico y con un factor de forma de 0,70. En base a los datos medidos, se realiza un analisis comparativo del calculo de volumen real por metodo empleado, los resultados obtenidos mostraron diferencias significativas entre metodos de calculo empleados. Ademas, se selecciono 5 ecuaciones de volumen potenciales los cuales presentaron mayor coeficiente de determinacion ajustado y menor error cuadratico medio. Para la verificacion del volumen comercial calculado con los factores de forma estimados frente a las ecuaciones de volumen se vuelve a calcular el volumen comercial a partir de los factores de forma y ecuaciones encontrados, se toma como valor exacto el calculo de volumen comercial por la formula de Smalian y como valor de aproximacion los demas metodos. Palabras clave: dasometria, ecuaciones de volumen, factor de forma, plantacion forestal, volumen comercial.