| Resumo: | Site quality estimation for forest production is normally accomplished by estimating height growth potential of forest stands, by developing equations that relate height and age of sample trees. However, there are places devoid of trees where investment in productive forests is feasible; better yet if quality potential of regenerating certain forest species can be estimated a priori. We have developed regressive mathematical models to estimate site index in natural stands of Pinus occidentalis, in major productive regions in the Dominican Republic, and established the relationship between index site and edaphic and physiographical variables. Developed models allow the assessment of the productive potential in places without trees. There were no significant differences (α = 0.05) between the site indexes averaged per plot in each locality, but a significant correlation was obtained among site index, height above sea level and aspect (0.273, P = 0.000 and 0.207, P = 0.003) respectively. There were also significant correlations between site index and soil organic matter content within the soil, sodium and potassium . The variables “height above sea level” and azimuth were statistically significant, and can be used to predict the productive potential of places where there are no trees within this region. The estimate of the productive potential by edaphic and physiographical variables for natural stands of P. occidentalis in productive areas constitutes an essential tool in the sustainable management of these forested areas.
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