Validation

Validating model predictions against observed data is a crucial part of the model-building process. For recent MGM development, each new submodel and/or its developmental process have been evaluated in theses or peer reviewed papers. Then, these submodels have been implemented in MGM, and their performance has been assessed relative to the entire MGM system (i.e. height increment, diameter increment, survival, and site index functions).

 

Current Validation

The current validation of MGM (MGM21 VS8.2.21.39 / Rev6378) are available below. These validations assess whole-model performance.

Validation of the Mixedwood Growth Model (MGM) against the Alberta Provincial Growth and Yield Initiative (PGYI) Dataset – April 27, 2021

Validation of the Mixedwood Growth Model (MGM) against the 2020 Saskatchewan Provincial Permanent Sample Plot dataset – December 15, 2022

Recent Validations

Recent MGM validations are listed below. These validations assess whole-model performance in previous versions of MGM.

 

Published Documents

  1. Oboite, F.O. 2018. Growth of understory spruce following mountain pine beetle attack and recalibration and validation of the Mixedwood Growth Model for black spruce. PhD Thesis. University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB. 181p.
  2. Strimbu, V.C., M. Bokalo, and P.G. Comeau. 2017. Deterministic models of growth and mortality for jack pine in boreal forests of western Canada. Forests. 8(410):1-17.
  3. Bokalo, M., K.J. Stadt, P.G. Comeau, and S.J. Titus. 2013. The validation of the Mixedwood Growth Model (MGM) for use in forest management decision making. Forests. 4:1-27.

 

Other Documents

  1. Bokalo, M., P.G. Comeau, and K.M. Johnson. 2019. Validation of the Mixedwood Growth Model (MGM) against the Provincial Growth and Yield Initiative (PGYI) dataset. Mixedwood Growth Model: (MGM18 VS1.1.18.37 / Rev6115). Prepared July 19, 2019.
  2. Bokalo, M., and P.G. Comeau. 2015. Validation of the Mixedwood Growth Model (MGM) against the Provincial Growth and Yield Initiative (PGYI) datasets.
    Report submitted to Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development. Submitted August 3, 2015.
  3. Strimbu, V., Bokalo, M., and P.G. Comeau. 2015. MGM Calibration for Jack Pine in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Report submitted to Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development, Saskatchewan Enviroment and Alberta Pacific Forest Industries. Submitted April 1, 2015.
  4. Bokalo, M., and P.G. Comeau. 2013. Lodgepole Pine and Conifer Mixedwood (including pine) Validation Results for MGM. Report submitted to Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development. Submitted June 26, 2013.

 

Recent Submodel Validations

Recent MGM submodel validations are listed below. These submodel validations may include a whole-model validation.

  1. Oboite, F.O. 2018. Growth of understory spruce following mountain pine beetle attack and recalibration and validation of the Mixedwood Growth Model for black spruce. PhD Thesis. University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB. 181 pp.
  2. Cortini, F., P.G. Comeau, V.C. Strimbu, E.H. Hogg, M. Bokalo, and S. Huang. 2017. Survival functions for boreal tree species in northwestern North America. Forest Ecology and Management. 402:177-185.

 

Last Modified: May 10, 2021