Allometric equations for estimating tree biomass in restored mixed-species Atlantic Forest stands

Abstract

Restoration of Atlantic Forests is receiving increasing attention because of its role in both biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration for global climate change mitigation. This study was carried out in an Atlantic Forest restoration project in the south-central region of Sã o Paulo State --Brazil to develop allometric equations to estimate tree biomass of indigenous tree species in mixed plantations. Above and below-ground biomass (AGB and BGB, respectively), stem diameter (DBH: diameter at 1.3 m height), tree height (H: total height) and specific wood density (WD) were measured for 60 trees of 19 species. Different biomass equations (linear and nonlinear-transformed) were adjusted to estimate AGB and BGB as a function of DBH, H and WD. For estimating AGB and BGB, the linear biomass equation models were the least accurate. The transformed nonlinear biomass equation that used log DBH 2 , log H and log WD as predictor variables were the most accurate for AGB and the transformed nonlinear biomass equations that used log DBH 2 *WD as predictor variables were the most accurate for BGB. It is concluded that these adjusted equations can be used to estimate the AGB and BGB in areas of the studied project. The adjusted equations can be recommended for use elsewhere in the region for forest stands of similar age, tree size ranges, species composition and site characteristics. Keywords: Above-ground biomass, Below-ground biomass, Biomass equation, Tree allometry, Atlantic Forest, Restoration.NOGUEIRA JUNIOR, L.R., ENGEL, V.L., PARROTTA, J.A., MELO, A.C.G., RÉ , D.S. Equações alométricas para estimativa da biomassa arbórea em plantios mistos com espécies nativas na restauração da Mata Atlântica.http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1676-06032013008413Resumo: A restauraçã o da Mata Atlâ ntica vem recebendo aumento na atençã o por causa do papel na conservaçã o da biodiversidade e sequestro de carbono para a mitigaçã o da mudança global do clima. Este estudo foi conduzido em um projeto de restauraçã o da Mata Atlâ ntica na regiã o centro-sul do Estado de Sã o Paulo --Brasil e buscou desenvolver equaçõ es alométricas para estimar a biomassa arbó rea de espécies nativas em plantios mistos. Em 60 á rvores de 19 espécies foram medidas a biomassa acima e abaixo do solo, o diâ metro do tronco (DAP: diâ metro a 1,3 m de altura), altura (H) e densidade específica da madeira (Ds). Diferentes equaçõ es de biomassa (linear e nã o linear) foram ajustadas para estimar a biomassa acima e abaixo do solo, utilizando DAP, H e Ds como variá veis preditoras. As equaçõ es de biomassa lineares foram as menos acuradas para a estimativa da biomassa acima e abaixo do solo. As equaçõ es de biomassa nã o lineares que usaram log DAP 2 , log H e log Ds como variá veis preditoras foram mais acuradas para a estimativa da biomassa acima do solo e as nã o lineares que usaram log DBH 2 *WD como variá veis preditoras foram as mais acuradas para a estimativa da biomassa abaixo do solo. Conclui-se que estas equaçõ es ajustadas podem ser usadas na estim...

Mixed-species allometric equations and estimation of aboveground biomass and carbon stocks in restoring degraded landscape in northern Ethiopia

“…However, the accuracy of aboveground biomass (AGB) estimation still falls behind what is required, especially in SSA [20,21]. The main reasons for persistent inaccuracy were lack of site-specific biomass estimation models which can represent the heterogeneity of the study population in terms of species composition and tree-size variation [21][22][23][24]. To date, there is no mixed-species allometric model for small-size trees in SSA, including Ethiopia, leading to a high level of uncertainty in estimated AGB in the region.…”

Forest Structure, Wood Standing Stock, and Tree Biomass in Different Restoration Systems in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

“…Wood volume and tree biomass were estimated by the indirect (non-destructive) method, using allometric models developed for the same restoration plantations [36,37].…”

“…Tree biomass was estimated from the sum of the above-ground biomass (B a G) and the below-ground biomass (B b G) [37], using Equations (2) and (3), respectively:…”

“…where B a G is the above-ground biomass, B b G is the below-ground biomass, DBH is the diameter at breast height, H is the total height, WD is the species wood density [37]. Wood density for the 19 most abundant species in the restoration system was estimated by the gravimetric method, at the same time, the trees were felled for biomass estimation [37]. For the other species sampled, we used the average of all species for which wood density had been estimated, i.e., 0.43.…”

The Reversion of Hardening Process and Hydrogel Use in a 4 Forest Species Plantation

“…(angico vermelho), Inga vera (Wild) (ingá), and Lonchocarpus cultratus (Vell) (embira de sapo) were used. All are commonly used in reforest programs (NOGUEIRA JUNIOR et al, 2014;GOÉS & QUINTELA, 2015;GAGETTI et al, 2016;KORTZ et al, 2014).…”