Forest Biomass Collection from Systematic Mulching on Post-Fire Pine Regeneration with BioBaler WB55: Productivity, Cost and Comparison with a Conventional Treatment

Post-wildfire regenerated Mediterranean pine stands have a high risk of wildfire recurrence. Preventive clearings are frequently applied in a mix of systematic and selective ways, being a potential biomass source using technologies such as the collector-bundler BioBaler WB55. Our research aimed to compare the BioBaler with a chain mulcher performing systematic mulching of 50% vs. 67% of stand surface over 11.4 ha dominated by Pinus pinaster Ait. regenerated after a severe wildfire. Time studies included the machinery GPS follow-up and the weighing of each produced bale. Environmental aspects were also assessed. A regression curve related BioBaler weight productivity (odt·Workh−1) to pine biovolume (cover (%) average tree height, m). Surface productivity (stand ha·Workh−1) was greater for both technologies when a lower percentage of the total surface was cleared, but less than theoretically predicted. The BioBaler’s economic balance, including the cost of further selective clearing and the income from biomass selling, was costlier than that of the mulcher—in the most representative strata, 475 EUR·ha−1 vs. 350 EUR·ha−1. Under the studied conditions, BioBaler was not economically competitive with the conventional treatment, its main constraint being low collection efficiency (31% of the standing biomass in the cleared surface, 5.33 out of 17.1 fresh tonnes·ha−1).

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Tree height integrated into pantropical forest biomass estimates

Biogeosciences ◽

10.5194/bg-9-3381-2012 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 3381-3403 ◽

Cited By ~ 239

Author(s):

T. R. Feldpausch ◽

J. Lloyd ◽

S. L. Lewis ◽

R. J. W. Brienen ◽

M. Gloor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

East Africa ◽

Carbon Storage ◽

Stand Structure ◽

Forest Biomass ◽

Small Diameter ◽

Tree Height ◽

Total Biomass ◽

Guiana Shield ◽

Tree Biomass ◽

Continental Scale

Abstract. Aboveground tropical tree biomass and carbon storage estimates commonly ignore tree height (H). We estimate the effect of incorporating H on tropics-wide forest biomass estimates in 327 plots across four continents using 42 656 H and diameter measurements and harvested trees from 20 sites to answer the following questions: 1. What is the best H-model form and geographic unit to include in biomass models to minimise site-level uncertainty in estimates of destructive biomass? 2. To what extent does including H estimates derived in (1) reduce uncertainty in biomass estimates across all 327 plots? 3. What effect does accounting for H have on plot- and continental-scale forest biomass estimates? The mean relative error in biomass estimates of destructively harvested trees when including H (mean 0.06), was half that when excluding H (mean 0.13). Power- and Weibull-H models provided the greatest reduction in uncertainty, with regional Weibull-H models preferred because they reduce uncertainty in smaller-diameter classes (≤40 cm D) that store about one-third of biomass per hectare in most forests. Propagating the relationships from destructively harvested tree biomass to each of the 327 plots from across the tropics shows that including H reduces errors from 41.8 Mg ha−1 (range 6.6 to 112.4) to 8.0 Mg ha−1 (−2.5 to 23.0). For all plots, aboveground live biomass was −52.2 Mg ha−1 (−82.0 to −20.3 bootstrapped 95% CI), or 13%, lower when including H estimates, with the greatest relative reductions in estimated biomass in forests of the Brazilian Shield, east Africa, and Australia, and relatively little change in the Guiana Shield, central Africa and southeast Asia. Appreciably different stand structure was observed among regions across the tropical continents, with some storing significantly more biomass in small diameter stems, which affects selection of the best height models to reduce uncertainty and biomass reductions due to H. After accounting for variation in H, total biomass per hectare is greatest in Australia, the Guiana Shield, Asia, central and east Africa, and lowest in east-central Amazonia, W. Africa, W. Amazonia, and the Brazilian Shield (descending order). Thus, if tropical forests span 1668 million km2 and store 285 Pg C (estimate including H), then applying our regional relationships implies that carbon storage is overestimated by 35 Pg C (31–39 bootstrapped 95% CI) if H is ignored, assuming that the sampled plots are an unbiased statistical representation of all tropical forest in terms of biomass and height factors. Our results show that tree H is an important allometric factor that needs to be included in future forest biomass estimates to reduce error in estimates of tropical carbon stocks and emissions due to deforestation.

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Estimation of Tree Height and Forest Biomass Using Airborne LiDAR Data: A Case Study of Londiani Forest Block in the Mau Complex, Kenya

Open Journal of Forestry ◽

10.4236/ojf.2017.72016 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 07 (02) ◽

pp. 255-269 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Faith Kagwiria Mutwiri ◽

Patroba Achola Odera ◽

Mwangi James Kinyanjui

Keyword(s):

Forest Biomass ◽

Tree Height ◽

Airborne Lidar ◽

Lidar Data ◽

Airborne Lidar Data

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BIOMASS AND ENERGY PRODUCTION AT SHORT ROTATION Eucalyptus CLONAL PLANTATIONS DEPLOYED IN RIO GRANDE DO NORTE1

Revista Árvore ◽

10.1590/1806-90882017000500004 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (5) ◽

Author(s):

Maraísa Costa Ferreira ◽

Rosimeire Cavalcante dos Santos ◽

Renato Vinícius Oliveira Castro ◽

Angélica de Cássia Oliveira Carneiro ◽

Gualter Guenther Costa da Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Energy Demand ◽

Wood Quality ◽

Forest Biomass ◽

Eucalyptus Grandis ◽

Basic Density ◽

Tree Height ◽

Volumetric Growth ◽

Energy Productivity ◽

Short Rotation ◽

Calorific Power

ABSTRACT This study aimed to estimate the biomass and energy of a clonal planting short rotation experiment with hybrids of Eucalyptus urophylla ST Blake x Eucalyptus grandis (Hill) Maiden, deployed in 3 m x 3 m spacing, at the Academic Unit Specialized in Agricultural Sciences, Macaíba/RN. The analysis were performed at the Laboratory Panels and Wood Energy, Federal University of Viçosa, in which the following ratings on wood three cultivars (GG100 ; AEC0144 and AEC0224) were performed: determination of basic density, high calorific power, chemical analysis, thermogravimetric analysis and subsequent calculations for estimating the mass production and energy were performed. The base (10 cm from the ground), the third and two thirds of commercial tree height: composed for analysis, taken from three points along the stem samples were used. The design of the experiment was a completely randomized. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and the means were compared by Tukey test (a= 0.05). The clone who excelled in the first year of planting was the GG100 with 11,805 kW.h.ha-1 of energy productivity, followed by clone AEC0224 (6,755 kW.h.ha-1) and AEC0144 (4,405 kW.h.ha-1). The performance of this clone was due to mainly the higher volumetric growth. The wood quality among clones showed little difference. It should stimulate the deployments of species of short rotation in the state of RN to supply the elevated energy demand of forest biomass in the region.

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Bark Thickness and Heights of the Bark Transition Area of Scots Pine

Forests ◽

10.3390/f12101386 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (10) ◽

pp. 1386

Author(s):

Florian Wilms ◽

Nils Duppel ◽

Tobias Cremer ◽

Ferréol Berendt

Keyword(s):

Carbon Storage ◽

Scots Pine ◽

Forest Biomass ◽

Tree Height ◽

Radical Change ◽

Bark Thickness ◽

Forward Selection ◽

Transition Area ◽

Cardinal Direction ◽

Transition Areas

The estimation of forest biomass is gaining interest not only for calculating harvesting volumes but also for carbon storage estimation. However, bark (and carbon) compounds are not distributed equally along the stem. Particularly when looking at Scots pine, a radical change in the structure of the bark along the stem can be noted. At the bark transition area, the bark changes from thick and rough to thin and smooth. The aim of our study was (1) to analyze the height of the bark transition area where the bark structure changes and (2) to analyze the effect of cardinal direction on the bark thickness. Regression analyses and forward selection were performed including measured tree height, DBH, bark thickness, crown base height and upper and lower heights of the bark transition areas of 375 trees. While the cardinal direction had no effect on bark thickness, DBH was found to have a significant effect on the heights of the bark transition areas, with stand density and tree height having a minor additional effect. These variables can be used to estimate timber volume (without bark) with higher accuracy and to predict the carbon storage potential of forest biomass according to different tree compartments and compounds.

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Generic additive allometric models and biomass allocation for two natural oak species in northeastern China

10.21203/rs.3.rs-114961/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Shengwang Meng ◽

Fan Yang ◽

Haibin Wang ◽

Wei Wang ◽

Sheng Hu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biomass Allocation ◽

Large Scale ◽

Forest Biomass ◽

Tree Height ◽

Northeastern China ◽

Carbon Accounting ◽

Biomass Estimation ◽

Stem Biomass ◽

Biomass Models ◽

Mongolian Oak

Abstract Background: Accurate quantification of forest biomass through allometric equations is crucial for global carbon accounting and climate change mitigation. Current models for oak species could not accurately estimate biomass in northeastern China, since they were usually established limited to Mongolian oak (Quercus mongolica) on local sites, and specifically, no biomass models were available for Liaodong oak (Quercus wutaishanica). The goal of this study was, therefore, to develop generic biomass models for both oak species on large scale and evaluate biomass allocation patterns within tree components. Results: The stem biomass accounts for about two-thirds of the aboveground biomass. The ratio of wood biomass holds constant and that of branch increases with increasing D, H, CW, CL, while a reverse trend was found for bark and foliage. The root-shoot ratio nonlinearly decreased with D, ranging from 1.06 to 0.11. Tree diameter proved to be a good predictor, especially for root biomass. Tree height is more prominent than crown size for improving stem biomass models, yet it puts negative effects on crown biomass models with non-significant coefficients. Crown width could help improve fitting results of branch and foliage biomass models. Conclusion: We conclude that the selected generic biomass models for Mongolian oak and Liaodong oak will vigorously promote the accuracy of biomass estimation.

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Factors Affecting the Chipping Operation Based on the Screen Size of the Drum Chipper

Forests ◽

10.3390/f10111029 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 1029 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Yun-Sung Choi ◽

Min-Jae Cho ◽

Seung-Ho Paik ◽

Ho-Seong Mun ◽

Dae-Hyun Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Particle Size ◽

Renewable Energy ◽

New Technologies ◽

Forest Biomass ◽

Wood Chip ◽

Utilization Efficiency ◽

Screen Size ◽

Drying Time ◽

Productivity Cost ◽

Factors Affecting

Forest biomass has recently been highlighted as a renewable energy source in South Korea. As the Renewable Energy Certificate weight has been revised to encourage the use of forest biomass for energy production, forest operations have focused on the development of new technologies and harvesting methods for the extraction and utilization of forest biomass. This study examined the application of a drum chipper to forest biomass and analyzed the effects of screen size (40, 50, 65, and 80 mm) on productivity, cost, and particle size distribution. When the screen size was 40 mm to 65 mm, the chipping productivity improved by up to 3.6 times, the fuel consumption decreased by up to 29.7%, and the chipping cost was reduced by up to 31.9%. The fines content tended to decrease with an increase in screen size. The size of woodchips was less than 100 mm in length and ranged from 10 to 63 mm. The 65 mm screen was the most effective (e.g., producing optimal wood chip size at an acceptable production rate) for the chipping operation. Harvesting methods and drying time are also important factors that determine the utilization efficiency of forest biomass. Therefore, further research should be focused on the effect of moisture content on chipping productivity, power required, and fine particle size in forest biomass productions.

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LiDAR-supported estimation of change in forest biomass with time-invariant regression models

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/cjfr-2015-0084 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 45 (11) ◽

pp. 1514-1523 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

S. Magnussen ◽

E. Næsset ◽

T. Gobakken

Keyword(s):

Regression Model ◽

A Priori ◽

Forest Biomass ◽

Tree Height ◽

Canopy Height ◽

Lidar Data ◽

Explanatory Variables ◽

Correlated Error ◽

Data Thinning ◽

Time Invariant

A single a priori chosen linear regression model with two alternative error structures is proposed for model-assisted (MA) and model-dependent (MD) estimation of state and change in aboveground tree biomass (AGB, Mg·ha−1) in three forest strata in the Våler forest in southeastern Norway. Field data of tree height and stem diameter were collected in 145 permanent 200 m2circular plots. Concurrent LiDAR data were collected for the entire forest. The regression model includes two LiDAR-based explanatory variables: the mean of canopy height raised to a power of 1.5 and the standard deviation of canopy heights. A nearest-neighbour thinning of the 2010 LiDAR data to the density of the 1999 data was implemented to counter density effects in the explanatory variables. Estimates of change based on a single regression model were more accurate than estimating change from year-specific models (and no data thinning). A canopy height dependent correlated error structure was preferred over a partitioning of the error to temporary and “permanent” plot effects. For point estimates of AGB in 1999 and 2010, MA and MD estimates of errors were numerically comparable, but MD errors of change were much smaller than corresponding MA errors.

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Field methods for sampling tree height for tropical forest biomass estimation

Methods in Ecology and Evolution ◽

10.1111/2041-210x.12962 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 1179-1189 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

Martin J. P. Sullivan ◽

Simon L. Lewis ◽

Wannes Hubau ◽

Lan Qie ◽

Timothy R. Baker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tropical Forest ◽

Forest Biomass ◽

Tree Height ◽

Biomass Estimation ◽

Field Methods

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Comparing Scots pine regeneration established by sowing and planting at various times of year

Forest Research Papers ◽

10.2478/frp-2019-0019 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 80 (3) ◽

pp. 213-217

Author(s):

Władysław Barzdajn ◽

Wojciech Kowalkowski ◽

Robert Tomczak

Keyword(s):

Scots Pine ◽

Forest Regeneration ◽

Growth Traits ◽

Block Design ◽

Coniferous Forest ◽

Tree Height ◽

Weather Conditions ◽

Sowing Date ◽

Homogeneous Groups ◽

Pine Regeneration

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the practical feasibility of two forest regeneration methods using Scots pine Pinus sylvestris L. To this end, comparative experiments were established in the Złotoryja and Legnica Forest Districts. The site in Złotoryja had been clear cut, while the experimental plot in Legnica was established at a location damaged by wind in 2009 and cleared from wind throws and wind-broken trees before the experiment. Four different dates for sowing and two for planting were chosen in order to investigate the potential forest regeneration with respect to time. Both experiments were established according to the same design: a complete random block design with five replication blocks. To each plot we applied approximately 53 g (1.2 kg/ha) of seeds and planted 230 seedlings (10 200 seedlings/ha). In 2017, the height of the pine trees was recorded and their increment in height was measured in 2016 as well as 2017. A preliminary analysis of results was conducted using ANOVA for multiple experiments in order to identify significant differences and to then combine variables to form homogeneous groups to which the Duncan multiple range test could be applied. For growth traits, the ANOVA showed significant differences between experimental sights as well as a significant interaction of factors with the experimental site. In terms of planting, April was the most advantageous resulting in the greatest tree height in both forest districts, while in the Legnica Forest District the saplings planted in April also showed the greatest annual increments. Among the sowing dates, the most advantageous was the winter sowing, while the April sowing date produced the least desirable results. In conclusion, both sowing and planting are effective methods to establish pine cultures in coniferous forest.Furthermore, both methods may be performed at the currently recommended spring date, but they may also be postponed to summer and winter dates provided favorable weather conditions prevail.

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Interspecific variation in tropical tree height and crown allometries in relation to life history traits

Biogeosciences Discussions ◽

10.5194/bg-2018-314 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 1-25

Author(s):

Isabel Martinez Cano ◽

Helene C. Muller-Landau ◽

S. Joseph Wright ◽

Stephanie A. Bohlman ◽

Stephen W. Pacala

Keyword(s):

Forest Biomass ◽

Tree Height ◽

Allometric Relationships ◽

Scale Invariant ◽

Crown Area ◽

Trunk Diameter ◽

Interspecific Differences ◽

Functional Forms ◽

Vegetation Models ◽

Species Specific

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> Tree allometric relationships are widely employed to estimate forest biomass and production, and are basic building blocks of dynamic vegetation models. In tropical forests, allometric relationships are often modeled by fitting scale-invariant power functions to pooled data from multiple species, an approach that fails to reflect finite size effects at the smallest and largest sizes, and that ignores interspecific differences in allometry. Here, we analyzed allometric relationships of tree height (9884 individuals) and crown area (2425) with trunk diameter using species-specific morphological and life history data of 162 species from Barro Colorado Island, Panamá. We fit nonlinear, hierarchical models informed by species traits and assessed the performance of three alternative functional forms: the scale-invariant power function, and the saturating Weibull and generalized Michaelis-Menten (gMM) functions. The relationship of tree height with trunk diameter was best fit by a saturating gMM model in which variation in allometric parameters was related to interspecific differences in sapling growth rates, a measure of regeneration light demand. Light-demanding species attained taller heights at comparatively smaller diameters as juveniles and had shorter asymptotic heights at larger diameters as adults. The relationship of crown area with trunk diameter was best fit by a power function model incorporating a weak positive relationship between crown area and species-specific wood density. The use of saturating functional forms and the incorporation of functional traits in tree allometric models is a promising approach to improve estimates of forest biomass and productivity. Our results provide an improved basis for parameterizing tropical tree functional types in vegetation models.</p>

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