Prediction of aboveground biomass and carbon stock of Balanites aegyptiaca, a multipurpose species in Burkina Faso

Abstract

Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile is native to semi-arid regions in Africa where it is a well-known and conspicuous component of savannas. The species is highly preferred by local people because of its high socio-economic, cultural and ecological values. However, the species faces multiple environmental challenges such as desertification and human pressure. This study aimed to develop allometric models to predict aboveground biomass (AGB) of B. aegyptiaca in two climatic zones in Burkina Faso. Overall, thirty trees were sampled using destructive method in six study stands along two climatic zones. We assessed the biomass allocation to the different components of trees by computing its fraction. Furthermore, allometric models based on diameter at breast height (dbh) and basal diameter at 20 cm height (D 20 ) were fitted separately as well as combined with crown diameter (CD) and/or tree total height (Ht). For each biomass component, non-linear allometric models were fitted. Branch biomass accounted for 64% of the AGB in the two climatic zones and increased with dbh. No significant difference in carbon content was found. However, biomass allotment (except leaves) varied across climatic zones. Although both dbh and D 20 are typically used as independent variables for predicting AGB, the inclusion of the height in the equations did not significantly improve the statistical fits for B. aegyptica. However, adding CD to dbh improved significantly the equations only in the Sudano-Sahelian zone. The established allometric models can provide reliable and accurate estimation of individual tree biomass of the species in areas of similar conditions and may contribute to relevant ecological and economical biomass inventories.

Maintenance of Balanites aegyptiaca trees for fruit production in Kafta-Humera district, Western Zone of Tigray, Ethiopia.

“…increased with stem diameter. This determination was similar to(Ouédraogo et al, 2019) report on Balanites aegyptiaca in fruit production increases with stem DBH increase. Likewise,(Lompo et al 2018) study on Ximenia Americana the total number of fruits increased with stem diameter.The result suggests also in agreement with Miller & Dietz, (2004) that larger trees (large DBH) generally have greater fruit quantities than those of smaller trees.…”

“…The total numbers of fruits per branch class were obtained by multiplying the average number of fruits with the number of fruiting branches. The total number of fruits of the whole tree was obtained by summing the fruits number of all different branch classes (Ouédraogo et al, 2019). For each Balanites aegyptica tree from which fruit was selected, certain dendrometric parameters such as diameter at breast height (DBH), number of branches, crown diameter and total height were measured.…”