The objective of this research was to model the stand volume outside bark of Mimosa scabrella Benth. stands, from the Curitiba Metropolitan Region (CMR), Parana State - Brazil. To reach this aim, a database of 229 permanent and temporary sample plots measuring from 100 to 400 m² each, from 14 municipalities in the CMR, was used. In each sample plot, the diameter at breast height and the total height of all 3- to 18-year-old bracatinga trees were measured. To estimate the total volume, regression models selected from the literature were tested. A set of 58 independent variables was generated also to construct models by the Stepwise method. The equations of best fitting were validated by the Chi square tests ( 2), residual graphic analysis, and the absolute and relative standard error of estimate. Several equations showed good performance, adjusted coefficient of determination higher than 0.995, relative standard error of estimate lower than 3% and adequate residual distribution. The best two equations presented Syx: 2.37% and Syx: 2.13%, non-significant values for the χ2 test and unbiased distribution of the residuals.
Bracatinga; stand volume equations; validation of equations; dasometric variables
