GCubeR (version 0.1.3)

bouvard_vta: Volume Estimation Using the Bouvard Method

Description

Computes aerial total volume (bouvard_vta) according to the Bouvard method. The function validates input data, ensures required columns are present, and applies the formula only to species "QUERCUS_SP".

Usage

bouvard_vta(data, output = NULL)

Value

A data frame with the original input columns plus one new output:

• bouvard_vta: aerial total volume (m3). Computed only for "QUERCUS_SP", otherwise not created.

Arguments

data

A data frame containing tree measurements. Must include:

• species_code: species name in uppercase Latin format (e.g. "QUERCUS_SP").

• dbh: diameter at breast height (cm).

• htot: total tree height (m).

output

Optional file path where the resulting data frame should be exported as a CSV. If NULL (default), no file is written. Export is handled by the utility function export_output() and failures trigger warnings without interrupting execution.

Details

• Input dbh must be in centimeters (cm). The function converts it internally to meters.

• Input htot must be in meters (m).

• Formula for aerial total volume (only "QUERCUS_SP"): $$bouvard_vta = 0.5 * (dbh/100)^2 * htot$$

• Resulting volumes are expressed in cubic meters (m3).

• If required columns are missing or non-numeric, the function stops with an error.

• The output column is created only if at least one "QUERCUS_SP" row is present, otherwise a warning message is displayed and no column is added.

Examples

df <- data.frame(
  species_code = c("QUERCUS_SP", "PICEA_ABIES", "FAGUS_SYLVATICA"),
  dbh = c(30, 25, 40),   
  htot = c(20, 18, 22)   
)
bouvard_vta(df)