Recommendations for standardized documentation and further development of forest growth simulators

The present paper documents the practical applicability of growth simulators, gives an overview of current model approaches, defines standards for the description and evaluation of growth models and growth simulators and indicates research needs. The recommendations aim to give users of growth simulators confidence in the transition to modern prediction systems and to increase the level of acceptance of new information technologies. The recommendations provide developers with guidelines for model description, model evaluation and software development and thus contribute towards efficient co-operation.