Aboveground biomass allocation, additive biomass and carbon sequestration models for Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir. in Burkina Faso

Abstract

Efforts to develop allometric models for accurate estimation of biomass and carbon sequestration in Sub-Saharan African savanna ecosystems remain inconclusive. Most available allometric models are not site-specific, and hence do not account for the effects of regional climate variabilities on tree growth and capacity to sequester carbon. In contrast, site-specific biomass allometric models constitute a robust tool for forest and carbon emission management in the context of the reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation program (REDD+). Although site-specific models have been developed for several tropical tree species, such models do not exist for Pterocarpus erinaceus in Burkina Faso. In this study, we investigated biomass fraction patterns and used a system of additive allometric models for predicting aboveground biomass and carbon stocks of P. erinaceus components. Thirty P. erinaceus trees were destructively sampled to estimate the biomass of their stems, branches and leaves. The biomass fraction of each component was assessed and its relationship with tree diameter at breast height (dbh) examined. The best allometric equations of the tree components, selected from three non-linear models with dbh, height (ht) and crown diameter (Cd) as predictors, were combined to develop an additive allometric model, using the Seemingly Unrelated Regressions (SUR) method. The Ash method was then used to estimate the carbon content of the different components. Leaf and stem biomass fractions decreased when the dbh increased, whereas a reverse trend was observed for branch biomass. Dbh was the most correlated independent variable with all biomass components. AGB = e−3.46(dbh)1.62+e−2.45(dbh)2.31+e−2.68(dbh) was the most appropriate additive allometric equation for estimating the biomass of P. erinaceus trees. The carbon content of the leaves, branches and stems was 55.73%, 56.68% and 56.23%, respectively. The developed allometric equations can be used to accurately estimate the aboveground biomass of P. erinaceus in the savannas of Burkina Faso and other similar ecosystems in Sub-Saharan Africa.