BOTANY

Detailed explanation-1: -Site index is used to measure the productivity of the site and the management options for that site and reports the height of dominant and co-dominant trees in a stand at a base age such as 25, 50 and 100 years. For example, a red oak with an age of 50 years and a height of 70 feet (21 m) will have a site index of 70.

Detailed explanation-2: -Site index is a tool to determine the relative productivity of a particular site or location. Site index is the height of a “free to grow” tree of a given species at a base age on the site of interest. Common base ages include 25, 50, and 100, depending on the lifespan and common management practices for that species.

Detailed explanation-3: -Estimation of site quality is essential for characterizing, monitoring and predicting forest resources. Site index (i.e. the dominant height of the stand at a reference age) is ordinarily used to estimate site quality; however, this index is only useful for even-aged stands of known age.

Detailed explanation-4: -Site quality refers to the inherent ability of a forest to produce biomass; that is, grow trees. It is the composite expression of a variety of physical and chemical attributes of a forested area, including its soil, topography and climate.