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Height-diameter relationships are of critical importance in tree and stand volume estimation. Stand description, site quality determination and appropriate forest management decisions originate from reliable stem height predictions. In this work, the predictive performances of height-diameter models developed for Taurus cedar (Cedrus libani A. Rich.) plantations in the Western Mediterranean Region of Turkey were investigated. Parametric modeling methods such as fixed-effects, calibrated fixed-effects, and calibrated mixed-effects were evaluated. Furthermore, in an effort to come up with more reliable stem-height prediction models, artificial neural networks were employed using two different modeling algorithms: the Levenberg-Marquardt and the resilient back-propagation. Considering the prediction behavior of each respective modeling strategy, while using a new validation data set, the mixed-effects model with calibration using 3 trees for each plot appeared to be a reliable alternative to other standard modeling approaches based on evaluation statistics regarding the predictions of tree heights. Regarding the results for the remaining models, the resilient propagation algorithm provided more accurate predictions of tree stem height and thus it is proposed as a reliable alternative to pre-existing modeling methodologies.

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Variations in the photosynthetic pigments and total carbohydrate contents of needles of different age classes (current-year, 1-year-old, 2-year-old and 3-year-old) of Pinus nigra subsp. pallasiana (Lambert) Holmboe trees in a young natural stand were investigated during the growing season. In current-year needles, total carbohydrate content was lower during June and July when the needle growth continued than in older age classes, but it was similar to other age classes in the months of August to October. Seasonal patterns of variations in total carbohydrate content were almost similar in 1-, 2-, and 3-year-old needles. Chlorophyll and carotenoid contents increased from May to June, remained relatively constant or declined slightly during summer and autumn in 1-, 2-, and 3-year-old needles. In October, the pigment content was highest in 1-year-old needles, and lowest in 3-year-old needles. Our study indicated that total carbohydrate and pigment contents were affected by needle age classes and seasons.

Variations in seasonal responses in water relations and total carbohydrate content (TCC) in one-yearold shoots from precommercially thinned (PCT) and unthinned Anatolian black pine stands were assessed during three seasons (sampling in May, July and September) in 2015–2017. Three different treatments were established: unthinned control with 4 941 stems·ha–1 and two thinned spacing levels (2–2.5 and 3–3.5 m) where 2 133 stems·ha^–1 and 1 093 stems·ha^–1 were left, respectively. Differences in osmotic potential at turgor loss point (Ψπ_TLP) between the thinned and unthinned plots appeared only during a water shortage (September) in the second season, with the thinned stands showing lower Ψπ_TLP than the unthinned stands. Seasonal variation in terms of Ψπ_TLP was detected in the 3–3.5 m spacing trees. PCT were effective on osmotic potential at full turgor (Ψπ₁₀₀), relative water content (RWC), symplastic water at saturated point per dry weight of the shoot and dry weight fraction. In both the thinned and unthinned plots, a gradual decline was observed in RWC from May to September in all three years. Generally, although TCC was found to be higher in the 3–3.5 m spacing, control plots were also high in carbohydrates in some periods. Results reflect the ability of this species to survive in changing environments by PCT during dry periods in the three studied seasons. Although PCT has an effect on water potential components and TCC, it is not clear exactly how effective the PCT density is in osmotic adjustment.