Comparing above-ground biomass among forest types in the Wet Tropics: Small stems and plantation types matter in carbon accounting

Preece, Noel D.; Crowley, Gabriel; Lawes, Michael J.; Oosterzee, Penny Van

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2011.10.016

Cited by 59 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…It supports findings that the application of biome-averaged data tends to underestimate forest carbon stocks as compared to local-level estimates (Grassi et al 2008, Pelletier et al 2010, Preece et al 2012. Primary data reveal high uncertainty surrounding the use of mean estimates.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 76%

Uncertain Emission Reductions from Forest Conservation: REDD in the Bale Mountains, Ethiopia

Watson¹,

Mourato²,

Milner‐Gulland³

2013

E&S

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ABSTRACT. The environmental integrity of a mechanism rewarding Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) depends on appropriate accounting for emission reductions. Largely stemming from a lack of forest data in developing countries, emission reductions accounting contains substantial uncertainty as a result of forest carbon stock estimates, where the application of biome-averaged data over large forest areas is commonplace. Using a case study in the Bale Mountains in Ethiopia, we exemplify the implications of primary and secondary forest carbon stock estimates on predicted REDD project emission reductions and revenues. Primary data estimate area-weighted mean forest carbon stock of 195 tC/ha ± 81, and biomeaveraged data reported by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change underestimate forest carbon stock in the Bale Mountains by as much as 63% in moist forest and 58% in dry forest. Combining forest carbon stock estimates and uncertainty in voluntary carbon market prices demonstrates the financial impact of uncertainty: potential revenues over the 20-year project ranged between US$9 million and US$185 million. Estimated revenues will influence decisions to implement a project or not and may have profound implications for the level of benefit sharing that can be supported. Strong financial incentives exist to improve forest carbon stock estimates in tropical forests, as well as the environmental integrity of REDD projects.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 76%

Uncertain Emission Reductions from Forest Conservation: REDD in the Bale Mountains, Ethiopia

Watson¹,

Mourato²,

Milner‐Gulland³

2013

E&S

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“…The scaling exponent values for our study (β 1 ≈ 2.891 and 2.769 for stratum 1 and 2 respectively) lie within 2.53 and 3.16 at the 95% confidence limits ( Table 4). As such the above presented empirical allometric relationship of woody biomass fits well in a universal model [10] and confirms the results of Achten et al [25] that Jatropha follows the universal allometric model described by [29] and confirmed by [5,10].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…Accurate estimates of carbon stocks depend to a great degree on the availability and adequacy of the allometric equations that are used to estimate tree biomass [3,5,6]. Allometric equations are a fundamental tool for the non-destructive estimation of biomass in woody vegetation and their value depends on the empirical data used to construct such equations [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Allometry for Biomass Estimation in Jatropha Trees Planted as Boundary Hedge in Farmers’ Fields

Makungwa

Chittock²,

Skole

et al. 2013

Forests

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Regrowth and planted trees in agricultural landscapes are rarely protected from clearing under national Forest Acts. There is, therefore, some question over the long-term security of any value they might provide to biodiversity and the global carbon cycle. Engaging landholders in carbon credits that are conditioned on planted areas being maintained into the future could improve the situation. To begin carbon trading, landholders need precise and accurate estimates of the carbon sequestered by the trees in their fields. Accurate estimates of carbon stocks depend to a greater degree on the availability and adequacy of the allometric equations that are used to estimate tree biomass. The present study has developed an allometric model for estimating the woody biomass of Jatropha trees planted as boundary hedges in agricultural landscapes under smallholder farming systems in Malawi. The predictive performance of the model was assessed and was subsequently compared with the published Jatropha models. The results showed that the statistical fits of our model were generally good, enabling one to use it with confidence for estimating wood biomass in Jatropha stands from which they were derived. The published Jatropha models consistently overestimated the woody biomass by as much as 55%, rendering them unsuitable for application in estimating woody biomass in our study sites.

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“…Tree DBHs (measured at 1.3 m above the ground) greater than 2 cm were considered for harvesting. The lower DBH threshold of 2 cm was adopted to take into account the high number of low biomass trees in the study [25,26].…”

Section: Selection Of Trees For Harvestingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Allometric Models Based on Bayesian Frameworks Give Better Estimates of Aboveground Biomass in the Miombo Woodlands

Kuyah

Sileshi

Rosenstock³

2016

Forests

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Abstract:The miombo woodland is the most extensive dry forest in the world, with the potential to store substantial amounts of biomass carbon. Efforts to obtain accurate estimates of carbon stocks in the miombo woodlands are limited by a general lack of biomass estimation models (BEMs). This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of most commonly employed allometric models for estimating aboveground biomass (AGB) in miombo woodlands, and to develop new models that enable more accurate estimation of biomass in the miombo woodlands. A generalizable mixed-species allometric model was developed from 88 trees belonging to 33 species ranging in diameter at breast height (DBH) from 5 to 105 cm using Bayesian estimation. A power law model with DBH alone performed better than both a polynomial model with DBH and the square of DBH, and models including height and crown area as additional variables along with DBH. The accuracy of estimates from published models varied across different sites and trees of different diameter classes, and was lower than estimates from our model. The model developed in this study can be used to establish conservative carbon stocks required to determine avoided emissions in performance-based payment schemes, for example in afforestation and reforestation activities.

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Comparing above-ground biomass among forest types in the Wet Tropics: Small stems and plantation types matter in carbon accounting

Cited by 59 publications

References 41 publications

Uncertain Emission Reductions from Forest Conservation: REDD in the Bale Mountains, Ethiopia

Uncertain Emission Reductions from Forest Conservation: REDD in the Bale Mountains, Ethiopia

Allometry for Biomass Estimation in Jatropha Trees Planted as Boundary Hedge in Farmers’ Fields

Allometric Models Based on Bayesian Frameworks Give Better Estimates of Aboveground Biomass in the Miombo Woodlands

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