Biomass functions for the two alien tree species Prunus serotina Ehrh. and Robinia pseudoacacia L. in floodplain forests of Northern Italy

Abstract

As one cause for biodiversity loss, invasive alien species are a worldwide threat. In forests, however, invasive tree species can also have an enormous biomass potential which can be harvested while taking measures against the species. Allometric equations help estimating the biomass but are often only available for the native range of the species. This lack on information complicates the management of invaded stands, and the equations presented here should help fill this gap. The above-ground biomass for single trees of black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) in Ticino/Italy was estimated with differing explanatory variables as total, stem, crown, and leaf biomass. Regression equations of P. serotina were compared with equations from North America. The methods to derive biomass estimates from fresh weight and volumetric measurements in combination with wood densities were critically examined. The biomass could be estimated well by using ''diameter'' as explanatory variable. The productivity of P. serotina was lower here compared to its range of origin. Biomass estimates from volumetric measurements combined with the truncated cone formula have lead to systematic overestimations. Also the use of volumetric measurements combined with wood density measurements has overestimated comparable estimates from fresh weight measurements.

Allometric Models to Predict Aboveground Woody Biomass of Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) in Short Rotation Coppice in Previous Mining and Agricultural Areas in Germany

“…All regressions were undertaken using natural logarithmic transformation (Equation (4)) of the tree dimensions, in line with previous work done by Pretzsch et al [56], Böhm et al [20], Annighöfer et al [34,42], and Stankova et al [35]:…”

“…Although numerous studies exist dealing with the biomass productivity of black locust [19,20,31,34,35,37,38,64,72,73], the existing tools are very limited for quantifying the behavior of black locust in SRC in previous brown coal mining and agricultural areas. However, the benefit of Robinia pseudoacacia L. in SRC for our society, ecology, and economy lies in biomass and energy production, as well as carbon sequestration.…”

“…The most frequently used independent variables for tree biomass equations are RCD, DBH, H, and age (tree stem parameter), particularly for black locust [19,20,31,[34][35][36][37][38]. Modelling by employing mixed models, as used by Forrester et al [74], Grote et al [75], and Pretzsch et al [76] has the advantage of being applicable at different geographical and differently structured sites.…”

“…Biomass after cutting and biomass after dehydration were measured by using an electronic scale with a spring balance (precision ± 1 g). For each sample, a representative, plot-related aliquot of shredded tree biomass was dried for 48 h in the laboratory at 103.5 • C (DIN 52183 [52]) until a constant mass was reached [20,[34][35][36]53,54]. This aliquot was used to estimate the total value of dry woody biomass for each sample.…”

Potenziale und Risiken eingeführter Baumarten

“…P. serotina gilt als nicht sehr überflutungstolerant (Hall und Smith 1955, Liesebach 2005, Bourtsoukidis et al 2014, kommt aber auch in Auwäldern (z. B. im Valle del Ticino in Italien, Annighöfer et al 2012a) vor.…”