scholarly journals Allometric biomass equations for young trees of four broadleaved species in Albania

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erion Istrefi ◽  
Elvin Toromani ◽  
Nehat Collaku ◽  
Bashkim Thaci

Background: Biomass assessment of young forest stands is important because of their role in the carbon cycling. The aim of this study was to develop biomass equations for young broadleaved species growing in natural conditions in Albania. Methods: Five forest stands were investigated using circular sample plots. Diameter at breast height (DBH) and height (H) from 58 sampled trees ranging in age from 4 to 34 years old of Turkey oak (Quercus cerris L.), sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.), European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.) and manna ash (Fraxinus ornus L.) were measured in situ. Logarithmic regression equations were used and tested for their performance to estimate aboveground and tree-components biomass for each species using DBH, H and their combination DBH2 x H as predictors. Results: We found that DBH was a reliable predictor for estimation of aboveground and components biomass for young trees but the inclusion of height in biomass allometry did not improve the biomass estimation. We observed differences in scale (?0) and exponent (?1) coefficients of biomass models, not only between broadleaved species, but also among tree-components within species. Both coefficients were strongly species-specific and their values reflect differences in biomass stocking rate due to different growth strategies of each species in early development phases. Conclusions: Allometric equations to estimate aboveground and tree-component biomass appeared to be species-specific, meaning that such models are applicable for species growing at sites with similar ecological conditions. From the tree variables used, DBH was the most reliable predictor of aboveground and individual components biomass, whereas height proved to be a promising predictor for stand biomass. These allometric equations developed for young trees will improve the accuracy of current estimates of forest carbon stock in Albania.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Admassu Merti ◽  
Teshome Soromessa ◽  
Tura Bareke

Abstract Background: Allometric equations which are regressions linking the biomass to some independent variables are used to estimate tree components from the forest. The generic equation developed by many authors may not adequately reveal the tree biomass in a specific region in tropics including in Ethiopia. Therefore, the use of species specific allometric equations is important to achieve higher levels of accuracy because trees of different species may differ. The objective of the study was to develop species-specific allometric equations for Apodytes dimidiata, Ilex mitis, Sapium ellipticum and shrubs (Galiniera saxifraga and Vernonia auriculifera) using semi-destructive method for estimating the aboveground biomass (AGB). For purpose of sampling trees, individual species were categorized into trees whose Diameter at breast height (DBH) is ≥ 5 cm.Results: All the necessary biomass calculations were done, and biomass equations were developed for each species. The regression equations relate AGB with DBH, height (H), and density (ρ) were computed and the models were tested for accuracy based on observed data. The best model was selected based higher adj R2 and lower residual standard error and Akaike information criterion than rejected models. The relations for all selected models are significant (p<0.000), which showed strong correlation AGB with selected dendrometric variables. Accordingly, the AGB was strongly correlated with DBH and was not significantly correlated with wood density and height individually in Ilex mitis. In combination, AGB was strongly correlated with DBH, height; DBH and wood density; are better for carbon assessment than general equations.Conclusions: The specific allometeric equation developed for the Gesha-Sayilem Afromontane Forest which can be used in similar moist forests in Ethiopia for the implementation of Reduced Emission from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+) activities to benefit the local communities from carbon trade.


2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauro Rodrigues Nogueira Júnior ◽  
Vera Lex Engel ◽  
John A. Parrotta ◽  
Antonio Carlos Galvão de Melo ◽  
Danilo Scorzoni Ré

Restoration of Atlantic Forests is receiving increasing attention because of its role in both biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration for global climate change mitigation. This study was carried out in an Atlantic Forest restoration project in the south-central region of São Paulo State - Brazil to develop allometric equations to estimate tree biomass of indigenous tree species in mixed plantations. Above and below-ground biomass (AGB and BGB, respectively), stem diameter (DBH: diameter at 1.3 m height), tree height (H: total height) and specific wood density (WD) were measured for 60 trees of 19 species. Different biomass equations (linear and nonlinear-transformed) were adjusted to estimate AGB and BGB as a function of DBH, H and WD. For estimating AGB and BGB, the linear biomass equation models were the least accurate. The transformed nonlinear biomass equation that used log DBH2, log H and log WD as predictor variables were the most accurate for AGB and the transformed nonlinear biomass equations that used log DBH2*WD as predictor variables were the most accurate for BGB. It is concluded that these adjusted equations can be used to estimate the AGB and BGB in areas of the studied project. The adjusted equations can be recommended for use elsewhere in the region for forest stands of similar age, tree size ranges, species composition and site characteristics.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Damena Edae Daba ◽  
Teshome Soromessa

Abstract Background Application of allometric equations for quantifying forests aboveground biomass is a crucial step related to efforts of climate change mitigation. Generalized allometric equations have been applied for estimating biomass and carbon storage of forests. However, adopting a generalized allometric equation to estimate the biomass of different forests generates uncertainty due to environmental variation. Therefore, formulating species-specific allometric equations is important to accurately quantify the biomass. Montane moist forest ecosystem comprises high forest type which is mainly found in the southwestern part of Ethiopia. Yayu Coffee Forest Biosphere Reserve is categorized into Afromontane Rainforest vegetation types in this ecosystem. This study was aimed to formulate species-specific allometric equations for Albizia grandibracteata Tuab. and Trichilia dregeana Sond. using the semi-destructive method. Results Allometric equations in form of power models were developed for each tree species by evaluating the statistical relationships of total aboveground biomass (TAGB) and dendrometric variables. TAGB was regressed against diameter at breast height (D), total height (H), and wood density (ρ) individually and in a combination. The allometric equations were selected based on model performance statistics. Equations with the higher coefficient of determination (adj.R2), lower residual standard error (RSE), and low Akaike information criterion (AIC) values were found best fitted. Relationships between TAGB and predictive variables were found statistically significant (p ≤ 0.001) for all selected equations. Higher bias was reported related to the application of pan-tropical or generalized allometric equations. Conclusions Formulating species-specific allometric equations is found important for accurate tree biomass estimation and quantifying the carbon stock. The developed biomass regression models can be applied as a species-specific equation to the montane moist forest ecosystem of southwestern Ethiopia.


2002 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 128-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.R. Wang ◽  
A.L. Zhong ◽  
J.P. Kimmins

Abstract Since forest biomass contributes a significant proportion of global carbon cycle, obtaining accurate estimate of forest biomass is important. The root mean squared error (RMSE), the percents of the mean observed values were used to compare the precision of local and published biomass equations for paper birch and trembling aspen. With the exception of stemwood biomass equations, the biomass equations for these two species tended to be stand specific. Measured as percent of mean observed values, the values of biomass/tree predicted from the published equations for paper birch varied from 49.9% to 140.2% for foliage and from 155% to 238.7% for live branches; the estimates for trembling aspen ranged from 71.8% to 81.3% for foliage and from 55.3% to 164.5% for live branches. There were large discrepancies between the measured data and the published equations in graphical form as well as biomass estimates, particularly for foliage, live branches, and stembark. Clearly, published regression equations should be checked for their applicability before they are used to estimate the biomass of particular stands.


2020 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-203
Author(s):  
Igor Dakskobler ◽  
Zvone Sadar

In Slovenian Istria we conducted a phytosociological analysis of forest stands with dominating Castanea sativa in the tree layer. These forest stands are situated in the vicinity of the village of Puče (between Šmarje and Koštabona) in the Drnica river basin, in the catchment area of the creek Malinska (between Gradin and Abitanti, near the village of Stara Mandrija) and in the catchment area of the creek Pregon (south of Pregara at the villages of Reparec and Tuniši). Based on the comparison with similar sweet chestnut woods in Croatia and Bosnia they were classified into the association Helleboro istriaci-Castaneetum sativae Medak 2009 and two new subassociations: -ornithogaletosum pyrenaici and -ruscetosum aculeati. According to our findings, the studied stands are secondary, pioneer or degradation stages, probably on former beech or oak sites from associations Ornithogalo pyrenaici-Fagetum, Seslerio autumnalis-Fagetum and Seslerio autumnalis-Quercetum petraeae. However, because Castanea sativa regenerates in these stands and persists there for generations, these stands could also be treated as a special habitat and/or forest site type, but this is an assessment best left to the competent experts. Key words: phytosociology, synsystematics, Helleboro istriaci-Castaneetum sativae, Carpinion orientalis, Istria, Slovenia   Izvleček Fitocenološko smo analizirali gozdne sestoje v Slovenski Istri, v katerih v drevesni plasti prevladuje pravi kostanj (Castanea sativa). Našli smo jih v okolici vasi Puče (med Šmarjami in Koštabono) v porečju Drnice, v povodjih potoka Malinska (med Gradinom in Abitanti, blizu vasi Stara Mandrija) in v povodju potoka Pregon (južno od Pregare pri vaseh Reparec in Tuniši). Na podlagi primerjave s podobnimi kostanjevimi gozdovi na Hrvaškem in v Bosni smo jih uvrstili v asociacijo Helleboro istriaci-Castaneetum sativae Medak 2009 in v dve novi subasociaciji: -ornithogaletosum pyrenaici in -ruscetosum aculeati. Po naših spoznanjih so preučeni sestoji drugotni, pionirski ali degradacijski stadiji na nekoč najbrž bukovih ali hrastovih rastiščih iz asociacij Ornithogalo pyrenaici-Fagetum, Seslerio autumnalis-Fagetum in Seslerio autumnalis-Quercetum petraeae. Ker pa se pravi kostanj v njih pomlajuje in ohranja več generacij, jih je mogoče vrednotiti tudi kot poseben habitatni in/ali gozdni rastiščni tip, a presojo o tem prepuščamo pristojnim strokovnjakom.  Ključne besede: fitocenologija, sinsistematika, Helleboro istriaci-Castaneetum sativae, Carpinion orientalis, Istra, Slovenija  


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Getaneh Gebeyehu ◽  
Teshome Soromessa ◽  
Tesfaye Bekele ◽  
Demel Teketay

Abstract Background: Tree species based developing allometric equations are important because they contain the largest proportion of total biomass and carbon stocks of forests. Studies on developing and validating the species-specific allometric models (SSAM) remain insufficient that may result to biomass estimation errors in the forests. The purpose of this study is to determine the wood density of four tree species and develop and validate the accuracy of allometry for biomass estimations. A total of 103 sample trees representing four species were harvested semi-destructively. The species specific allometric equations (SSAM) were developed using aboveground biomass (AGB in kg) as dependent variable, and three of the predictor’s variables: diameter at beast height (DBH in cm), height (H in m) and wood density (WD in g cm-3). The relation between dependent and independent variables were tested using multiple correlations (R2). The model selection and validation was based on statistical significance of model parameter estimates, Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), adjusted coefficient of determination (R2), residual standard error (RSE) and mean relative error (MRE). Results: The results showed that the AGB correlated significantly with diameter at breast height (R2 > 0.944, P < 0.001), and tree height (R2 > 0.742, P <0.001). The species-specific allometric models, which include DBH, H and WD predicted AGB with high-model fit (R2 > 93.6%, P < 0.001). These models for biomass estimations produced small MRE (1.50–3.40%) and AIC (-7.04 –12.84) compared to a single predictor (MRE:-0.4 – 20.1%; AIC: -7.25 – 35.29). The SSAM also predicted AGB against predictors with high-model fit (R2 > 93.6%, P < 0.001) and small MRE: 1.50 – 3.40% compared to existing general allometric models (MRE: - 31.3 – 11.31%). Conclusions: The research confirmed that the inclusion of DBH, H, and WD in the SSAM predicted AGB with small bias than a single or two predictors. The wood density values of those studied species can be used as the references for biomass estimations using general allometric equations. The study contributes to species-specific allometric models for understanding the total biomass estimation of species. Therefore, the application of species-specific allometric models should be considered in biomass estimations of forests.


1999 ◽  
Vol 64 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Van den Meersschaut ◽  
B. De Cuyper ◽  
K. Vandekerkhove ◽  
N. Lust

Natural  stand changes in the forest reserve of Liedekerke were analysed during the  period    1986-1996, using a permanent grid of circular plots. The monitoring  concentrated on natural    changes in species composition, using stem number and basal area as  indicators, and changes    in spatial distribution and colonization capacities of trees and shrubs,  with special interest in the    competition between exotic and indigenous species. After only a decade of  monitoring important    natural changes in the woody layer were detected. The pioneer forest is  gradually maturing    through self-thinning processes and shifts in species composition. The  overall stem number    decreased with 33.6%, while the basal area increased with 20.9%. Birch (Betula pendula/    pubescens) and indigenous oak (Quercus robur/petraea) remained  dominant. More tolerant    exotic species, like red oak (Quercus rubra) and sweet chestnut (Castanea  sativa), are slowly    increasing their share in the species composition and expanding their  range. Pioneer species on    the other hand, like aspen (Populus tremula), willow (Salix  capreaicinerealaurita), alder buckthorn    (Frangula alnus) and  common (Alnus glutinosa)  and grey alder (A. incana),  strongly declined.    Black cherry (Prunus serotina) seems to be slowly invading the forest due to its  massive    natural regeneration. Strong competition may be expected especially from  rowan ash (Sorbus    aucuparia), which showed similar regeneration  and colonization capacities. Elder (Sambucus    nigra) dramatically extented its range, though  its share remains marginal. Beech remained absent    most probably due to the lack of mature trees in the vacinity of the  forest. Finally this    change detection allowed that general predictions could be made on the  future natural development    and composition of this forest reserve, which could serve forest management  decisions.


1998 ◽  
Vol 63 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Smiris ◽  
F. Maris ◽  
K. Vitoris ◽  
N. Stamou ◽  
P. Ganatsas

This  study deals with the biomass estimation of the understory species of Pinus halepensis    forests in the Kassandra peninsula, Chalkidiki (North Greece). These  species are: Quercus    coccifera, Quercus ilex, Phillyrea media, Pistacia lentiscus, Arbutus  unedo, Erica arborea, Erica    manipuliflora, Smilax aspera, Cistus incanus, Cistus monspeliensis,  Fraxinus ornus. A sample of    30 shrubs per species was taken and the dry and fresh weights and the  moisture content of    every component of each species were measured, all of which were processed  for aboveground    biomass data. Then several regression equations were examined to determine  the key words.


2021 ◽  
Vol 494 ◽  
pp. 119320
Author(s):  
Marco Conedera ◽  
Patrik Krebs ◽  
Eric Gehring ◽  
Jan Wunder ◽  
Lisa Hülsmann ◽  
...  

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1538
Author(s):  
Ana Teresa Alhinho ◽  
Miguel Jesus Nunes Ramos ◽  
Sofia Alves ◽  
Margarida Rocheta ◽  
Leonor Morais-Cecílio ◽  
...  

The sweet chestnut tree (Castanea sativa Mill.) is one of the most significant Mediterranean tree species, being an important natural resource for the wood and fruit industries. It is a monoecious species, presenting unisexual male catkins and bisexual catkins, with the latter having distinct male and female flowers. Despite the importance of the sweet chestnut tree, little is known regarding the molecular mechanisms involved in the determination of sexual organ identity. Thus, the study of how the different flowers of C. sativa develop is fundamental to understand the reproductive success of this species and the impact of flower phenology on its productivity. In this study, a C. sativa de novo transcriptome was assembled and the homologous genes to those of the ABCDE model for floral organ identity were identified. Expression analysis showed that the C. sativa B- and C-class genes are differentially expressed in the male flowers and female flowers. Yeast two-hybrid analysis also suggested that changes in the canonical ABCDE protein–protein interactions may underlie the mechanisms necessary to the development of separate male and female flowers, as reported for the monoecious Fagaceae Quercus suber. The results here depicted constitute a step towards the understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in unisexual flower development in C. sativa, also suggesting that the ABCDE model for flower organ identity may be molecularly conserved in the predominantly monoecious Fagaceae family.


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