Fundamentals
Site index
A measure of site productivity based on dominant tree height at a reference age.
Site index uses height rather than volume because height growth is less sensitive to stocking density. Two stands of the same age on different soils will differ in top height, and that difference predicts productivity.
In carbon work it supports stratification and helps explain why identical management yields different accumulation rates across a project area.
Frequently asked questions
Why height instead of volume?
Height is largely independent of thinning and density, so it reflects the site rather than the treatment.
Can it be estimated remotely?
Yes, with canopy height models calibrated against field measurements.