scholarly journals Allometric models for estimating aboveground biomass and carbon stock for Diospyros mespiliformis in West Africa

Silva Fennica ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Korotimi Ouédraogo ◽  
Kangbéni Dimobe ◽  
Adjima Thiombiano

Accurate estimates of aboveground biomass (AGB) strongly depend on the suitability and precision of allometric models. Hochst. ex A. DC. is a key component of most sub-Sahara agroforestry systems and, one of the most economically important trees in Africa. Despite its importance, very few scientific information exists regarding its biomass and carbon storage potential. In this study direct method was used to develop site-specific biomass models for tree components in Burkina Faso. Allometric models were developed for stem, branch and leaf biomass using data from 39 tree harvested in Sudanian savannas of Burkina Faso. Diameter at breast height (DBH), tree height, crown diameter (CD) and basal diameter (D) were regressed on biomass component using non-linear models with DBH alone, and DBH in combination with height and/or CD as predictor variables. Carbon content was estimated for each tree component using the ash method. Allometric models differed between the experimental sites, except for branch biomass models. Site-specific models developed in this study exhibited good model fit and performance, with explained variance of 81–98%. Using models developed from other areas would have underestimated or overestimated biomass by between –72% and +98%. Carbon content in aboveground components of in Tiogo, Boulon and Tapoa-Boopo was 55.40% ± 1.50, 55.52% ± 1.06 and 55.63% ± 1.00, respectively, and did not vary significantly (-value = 0.909). Site-specific models developed in this study are useful tool for estimating carbon stocks and can be used to accurately estimate tree components biomass in vegetation growing under similar conditions.Diospyros mespiliformisD. mespiliformis20D. mespiliformisP

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 976 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dutcă

Background and Objectives: It is commonly assumed that allometric biomass models are species-specific and site-specific. However, the magnitude of species and site dependency in these models is not well-known. This study aims to investigate the variation in allometric models (i.e., aboveground biomass predicted by diameter at breast height and tree height) that has originated from the differences between tree species and between sites, thereby contributing to a better understanding of species and site-specificity issue in these models. Materials and Methods: The study is based on two large biomass datasets of 4921 and 5199 trees, from Eurasia and Canada. Using a nested ANOVA model on relative aboveground biomass residuals (with species and site as random effects), the proportion of variance explained by species or site was assessed by means of Variance Partition Coefficient (VPC). Results: The proportion of variance explained by species (VPCspecies = 42.56%, SE = 6.10% for Dataset 1 and VPCspecies = 47.54%, SE = 6.07% for Dataset 2) was larger than that explained by site (VPCsite = 20.08%, SE = 3.35% for Dataset 1 and VPCsite = 8.27%, SE = 1.38% for Dataset 2). The proportion of variance explained by site decreased by 24%–44% and the proportion of variance explained by species changed only slightly, when height is included in the allometric biomass models (i.e., models based on diameter at breast height alone, compared to models based on diameter at breast height and tree height). Conclusions: Allometric biomass models were more species-specific than they were site-specific. Therefore, the species (i.e., differences between species) seems to be a more important driver of variability in allometric models compared to site (i.e., differences between sites). Including height in allometric biomass models helped reduce the dependency of these models, on sites only.


Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 234
Author(s):  
Linda Flade ◽  
Christopher Hopkinson ◽  
Laura Chasmer

In this follow-on study on aboveground biomass of shrubs and short-stature trees, we provide plant component aboveground biomass (herein ‘AGB’) as well as plant component AGB allometric models for five common boreal shrub and four common boreal short-stature tree genera/species. The analyzed plant components consist of stem, branch, and leaf organs. We found similar ratios of component biomass to total AGB for stems, branches, and leaves amongst shrubs and deciduous tree genera/species across the southern Northwest Territories, while the evergreen Picea genus differed in the biomass allocation to aboveground plant organs compared to the deciduous genera/species. Shrub component AGB allometric models were derived using the three-dimensional variable volume as predictor, determined as the sum of line-intercept cover, upper foliage width, and maximum height above ground. Tree component AGB was modeled using the cross-sectional area of the stem diameter as predictor variable, measured at 0.30 m along the stem length. For shrub component AGB, we achieved better model fits for stem biomass (60.33 g ≤ RMSE ≤ 163.59 g; 0.651 ≤ R2 ≤ 0.885) compared to leaf biomass (12.62 g ≤ RMSE ≤ 35.04 g; 0.380 ≤ R2 ≤ 0.735), as has been reported by others. For short-stature trees, leaf biomass predictions resulted in similar model fits (18.21 g ≤ RMSE ≤ 70.0 g; 0.702 ≤ R2 ≤ 0.882) compared to branch biomass (6.88 g ≤ RMSE ≤ 45.08 g; 0.736 ≤ R2 ≤ 0.923) and only slightly better model fits for stem biomass (30.87 g ≤ RMSE ≤ 11.72 g; 0.887 ≤ R2 ≤ 0.960), which suggests that leaf AGB of short-stature trees (<4.5 m) can be more accurately predicted using cross-sectional area as opposed to diameter at breast height for tall-stature trees. Our multi-species shrub and short-stature tree allometric models showed promising results for predicting plant component AGB, which can be utilized for remote sensing applications where plant functional types cannot always be distinguished. This study provides critical information on plant AGB allocation as well as component AGB modeling, required for understanding boreal AGB and aboveground carbon pools within the dynamic and rapidly changing Taiga Plains and Taiga Shield ecozones. In addition, the structural information and component AGB equations are important for integrating shrubs and short-stature tree AGB into carbon accounting strategies in order to improve our understanding of the rapidly changing boreal ecosystem function.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anani Morilha Zanini ◽  
Rafaella Carvalho Mayrinck ◽  
Simone Aparecida Vieira ◽  
Ricardo Ribeiro Rodrigues

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 309-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quinn Morgan ◽  
Tamara L. Johnstone-Yellin ◽  
Cornelia C. Pinchot ◽  
Matthew Peters ◽  
Alejandro A. Royo

Foresters and wildlife biologists use biomass estimates as proxies of habitat structure, productivity, and carrying capacity. Determining biomass, however, is challenging without destructive harvests. We provide a dimensional analysis approach to partition browse biomass (BB) from total aboveground biomass (AGB) of six regenerating hardwoods in the Allegheny forests of Pennsylvania, USA. First, we determined the average diameter of browsed twigs for each species. Then, we created a subset of potential browsable twig and foliage biomass from total AGB in 439 individuals harvested within paired exclosure (fenced) and control (unfenced) plots at 15 sites. We fit species-specific allometric equations to estimate BB and AGB using basal diameter and height as predictors and tested the effects of fencing. Although overall stem height and BB were greater within exclosures, fencing did not significantly affect relationships between either predictor and BB or AGB, thereby enabling general and robust (R2 ≥ 0.80) equations for most species. Our work provides biomass equations for regionally dominant species and size classes that are underrepresented in the literature, yet critical to forest renewal and wildlife. Moreover, by sampling variable sites and levels of browse pressure, reported equations lessen site-specific biases. Finally, our methodology provides a template to generate forage biomass prediction equations for other plant and ungulate species.


Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1136
Author(s):  
Ioan Dutcă ◽  
Dimitris Zianis ◽  
Ion Cătălin Petrițan ◽  
Cosmin Ion Bragă ◽  
Gheorghe Ștefan ◽  
...  

In this paper, site-specific allometric biomass models were developed for European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) to estimate the aboveground biomass in Șinca virgin forest, Romania. Several approaches to minimize the demand for site-specific observations in allometric biomass model development were also investigated. Developing site-specific allometric biomass models requires new measurements of biomass for a sample of trees from that specific site. Yet, measuring biomass is laborious, time consuming, and requires extensive logistics, especially for very large trees. The allometric biomass models were developed for a wide range of diameters at breast height, D (6–86 cm for European beech and 6–93 cm for silver fir) using a logarithmic transformation approach. Two alternative approaches were applied, i.e., random intercept model (RIM) and a Bayesian model with strong informative priors, to enhance the information of the site-specific sample (of biomass observations) by supplementing with a generic biomass sample. The appropriateness of each model was evaluated based on the aboveground biomass prediction of a 1 ha sample plot in Șinca forest. The results showed that models based on both D and tree height (H) to predict tree aboveground biomass (AGB) were more accurate predictors of AGB and produced plot-level estimates with better precision, than models based on D only. Furthermore, both RIM and Bayesian approach performed similarly well when a small local sample (of seven smallest trees) was used to calibrate the allometric model. Therefore, the generic biomass observations may effectively be combined with a small local sample (of just a few small trees) to calibrate an allometric model to a certain site and to minimize the demand for site-specific biomass measurements. However, special attention should be given to the H-D ratio, since it can affect the allometry and the performance of the reduced local sample approach.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilson Ancelm Mugasha ◽  
Ezekiel Edward Mwakalukwa ◽  
Emannuel Luoga ◽  
Rogers Ernest Malimbwi ◽  
Eliakimu Zahabu ◽  
...  

Models to assist management of lowland forests in Tanzania are in most cases lacking. Using a sample of 60 trees which were destructively harvested from both dry and wet lowland forests of Dindili in Morogoro Region (30 trees) and Rondo in Lindi Region (30 trees), respectively, this study developed site specific and general models for estimating total tree volume and aboveground biomass. Specifically the study developed (i) height-diameter (ht-dbh) models for trees found in the two sites, (ii) total, merchantable, and branches volume models, and (iii) total and sectional aboveground biomass models of trees found in the two study sites. The findings show that site specific ht-dbh model appears to be suitable in estimating treeheightsince the tree allometry was found to differ significantly between studied forests. The developed general volume models yielded unbiased mean prediction error and hence can adequately be applied to estimate tree volume in dry and wet lowland forests in Tanzania. General aboveground biomass model appears to yield biased estimates; hence, it is not suitable when accurate results are required. In this case, site specific biomass allometric models are recommended. Biomass allometric models which include basic wood density are highly recommended for improved estimates accuracy when such information is available.


FLORESTA ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francelo Mognon ◽  
Aurélio Lourenço Rodrigues ◽  
Carlos Roberto Sanquetta ◽  
Ana Paula Dalla Corte ◽  
Adalberto Brito De Novaes ◽  
...  

O objetivo deste trabalho foi quantificar a biomassa seca total individual de plantas de bambu da espécie Dendrocalamus asper (Schult. & Schult. f.) Backer ex K. Heyne, visando conhecer a sua distribuição nos diferentes compartimentos, bem como avaliar modelos de biomassa em função de variáveis biométricas das plantas. Foram avaliados 20 indivíduos, coletados em Bauru, SP. As plantas amostradas foram medidas, abatidas e pesadas. A maior fração da biomassa foi observada na parte aérea, com 86%, sendo 64% para o compartimento colmo, 16% para os galhos e 6% para as folhas. Os rizomas representaram 14% da biomassa total. As variáveis biométricas (diâmetro à altura do peito – DAP, altura total – ht e diâmetro de colo – Dcolo) correlacionaram-se significativamente com as biomassas total e do colmo. O modelo que apresentou o melhor desempenho para a biomassa total teve como variável independente apenas o DAP, enquanto que para a biomassa dos colmos foi a variável combinada dap0,5*lndap. Os ajustes para os demais compartimentos não geraram resultados satisfatórios, em função da baixa correlação entre as variáveis biométricas e suas biomassas. Concluiu-se que é possível expressar a biomassa seca total e do colmo do bambu por meio de modelos alométricos, porém o mesmo não se aplica aos demais compartimentos.Palavras-chave: Bambu; fitomassa; modelos alométricos. AbstractAllocation and modeling of biomass of Dendrocalamus asper. The aim of this research was to quantify the total individual biomass of bamboo plants of the species Dendrocalamus asper (Schult. & Schult. f.) Backer ex K. Heyne, in order to understand its distribution along different compartments, as well as evaluat biomass models according to biometric variables. Twenty individuals collected in Bauru, SP were evaluated. The plants were measured, cut and weighed. The aboveground biomass accounted for the major fraction, representing 86%. The stem compartment represented 64% of total biomass, followed by the branches, with 16% and leaves, with 6%. Rhizomes accounted for 14% of the total biomass. The biometric variables (diameter at breast height - dbh, total height – ht, and collar diameter - dcollar) were significantly correlated with total and stem biomass. The model that revealed best performance for total biomass had only dap as independent variable, for the stems biomass the combined variable was dap0,5*lndap. The adjustments for other compartments were not satisfactory due to low correlation between the biometric variables and their biomass. As conclusion, it is possible to express the total  dry stem biomass and culm mass of bamboo using allometric models, however, the same does not apply to other compartments.Keywords: Bamboo; phytomass; allometric models.


Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 862 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhao ◽  
Li ◽  
Zhou ◽  
Qiu ◽  
Wu

Tree allometric models that are used to predict the biomass of individual tree are critical to forest carbon accounting and ecosystem service modeling. To enhance the accuracy of such predictions, the development of site-specific, rather than generalized, allometric models is advised whenever possible. Subtropical forests are important carbon sinks and have a huge potential for mitigating climate change. However, few biomass models compared to the diversity of forest ecosystems are currently available for the subtropical forests of China. This study developed site-specific allometric models to estimate the aboveground and the belowground biomass for south subtropical humid forest in Guangzhou, Southern China. Destructive methods were used to measure the aboveground biomass with a sample of 144 trees from 26 species, and the belowground biomass was measured with a subsample of 116 of them. Linear regression with logarithmic transformation was used to model biomass according to dendrometric parameters. The mixed-species regressions with diameter at breast height (DBH) as a single predictor were able to adequately estimate aboveground, belowground and total biomass. The coefficients of determination (R2) were 0.955, 0.914 and 0.954, respectively, and the mean prediction errors were −1.96, −5.84 and 2.26%, respectively. Adding tree height (H) compounded with DBH as one variable (DBH2H) did not improve model performance. Using H as a second variable in the equation can improve the model fitness in estimation of belowground biomass, but there are collinearity effects, resulting in an increased standard error of regression coefficients. Therefore, it is not recommended to add H in the allometric models. Adding wood density (WD) compounded with DBH as one variable (DBH2WD) slightly improved model fitness for prediction of belowground biomass, but there was no positive effect on the prediction of aboveground and total biomass. Using WD as a second variable in the equation, the best-fitting allometric relationship for biomass estimation of the aboveground, belowground, and total biomass was given, indicating that WD is a crucial factor in biomass models of subtropical forest. Root-shoot ratio of subtropical forest in this study varies with species and tree size, and it is not suitable to apply it to estimate belowground biomass. These findings are of great significance for accurately measuring regional forest carbon sinks, and having reference value for forest management.


2000 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 24-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla Roncoli ◽  
Keith Ingram ◽  
Paul Kirshen

In this article we bring anthropological reflections to bear on a recent event we participated in, whereby farmers and scientists came together to discuss the possibility of applying rainfall seasonal forecasts to improve agricultural production and livelihood security in West Africa. In so doing, We also report on the research findings from the project that organized this encounter and that we have been working with for the last three years. Our intent is to highlight the complexities and challenges inherent in this process of integrating scientific information and farmers' production decisions, while also pointing to practical issues to be considered in implementing such initiatives.


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