There are a variety of tools that can be used to manage more than one forest ecosystem resource. Siviculture is the theory and practice of controlling the establishment, composition, character, and growth of forest stands to satisfy specific objectives. Several techniques exist for evaluating and classifying site quality in the southern Appalachians. Regeneration prediction models, volume equations, forest growth simulators and other vegetation simulation models help forest managers understand structure, composition, function, and development of vegetation over time.