Empirical equations for estimating aboveground biomass of <i>Betula pendula</i> growing on former farmland in central Poland

Abstract

Highlights• We developed equations for aboveground biomass components of young silver birch stands on post-agricultural lands in central Poland for single tree level. • Simplified equations were based exclusively on diameter at ground level or breast height, while expanded ones were based on the appropriate diameter and tree height. • For large trees, diameter at breast height is a more appropriate explanatory variable than diameter at ground level. • Biomass estimations based on models from neighboring countries were consistent with our results. AbstractWe determined empirical models for estimating total aboveground as well as stem, branches, and foliage dry biomass of young (age up to 16 years) silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) growing on the post-agricultural lands. Two sets of allometric models for trees with a height below or above 1.3 m (small and large trees respectively) were developed. Simplified models were elaborated based exclusively on appropriate tree diameter (diameter at ground level for small trees, diameter at breast height for large trees), while expanded models also included tree height. Total aboveground biomass was estimated as the sum of biomass of all tree components. To assure additivity of the developed equations, the seemingly unrelated regression approach for the final model fitting was used. Expanded models in both tree groups were characterized by a better fit to the data (R 2 for total aboveground biomass for small and large trees equaled 0.8768 and 0.9752, respectively). Diameter at breast height appeared to be a better predictor than diameter at ground level -simplified models had better fit for large trees (R 2 for total aboveground biomass equals 0.9611) than for small ones (R 2 = 0.7516). The developed equations provide biomass predictions consistent with available Latvian, Estonian, Finnish, Swedish, and Norwegian models for silver birch.

Trees and shrubs used in medieval Poland for making everyday objects

“…Birch is a very common tree in Poland (Danielewicz 2012a). It includes pioneer trees that spread easily on land previously cleared by human activities (Wacnik et al 2014;Bronisz et al 2016;Jagodziński et al 2017), which makes access to the timber easy. Taking into consideration the fact that Betula wood is easy to work and hardly warps (Surmiński 1979), it was probably used by medieval craftsmen.…”

Variations of Wood Properties of Birch (Betula Pendula Roth) From a 23-Year Old Seed Orchard

“…Despite the development of plantations, a decrease in forested area may be observed as a result of timber harvesting (Stibig et al 2014, Margono et al 2014. In Poland plantations of fast-growing trees have not been of great importance due to the predominance of the traditional model of forest economy, although the potential use of plantation culture is being considered, particularly for wood as an energy source (Bijak et al 2013, Szczukowski and Stolarski 2013, Bronisz et al 2016, Mola-Yudego et al 2017. The wood industry still requires raw material of a high technological standard.…”

Biomass production of <i>Betula pendula</i> stands regenerated in the region of allochthonous <i>Picea abies</i> dieback

“…Compared to high-quality birch timber tree management, the biomass-oriented system includes branches in the total stand productivity (Repola 2008;Bronisz et al 2016). On the sample tree level, the proportion of branches ranged from 5 to 35% of the total above-ground biomass and increased together with DBH within the same stand.…”