Allometric models to estimate biomass organic carbon stock in forest vegetation

Abstract

A study was conducted in the forest area of Chittagong (South) Forest Division, Chittagong, Bangladesh for developing allometric models to estimate biomass organic carbon stock in the forest vegetation. Allometric models were tested separately for trees (divided into two DBH classes), shrubs, herbs and grasses. Model using basal area alone was found to be the best predictor of biomass organic carbon stock in trees because of high coefficient of determination (r^2 is 0.73697 and 0.87703 for＞ 5 cm to≤15 cm and ＞ 15 cm DBH (diameter at breast height) rang, respectively) and significance of regression (P is 0.000 for each DBH range) coefficients for both DBH range. The other models using height alone; DBH alone; height and DBH together; height, DBH and wood density; with liner and logarithmic relations produced relatively poor coefficient of determination. The allometric models for dominant 20 tree species were also developed separately and equation using basal area produced higher value of determination of coefficient. Allometric model using total biomass alone for shrubs, herbs and grasses produced higher value of determination of coefficient and significance of regression coefficient (r^2 is 0.87948 and 0.87325 for shrubs, herbs and grasses, respectively and P is 0.000 for each). The estimation of biomass organic carbon is a complicated and time consuming research. The allometric models developed in the present study can be utilized for future estimation of organic carbon stock in forest vegetation in Bangladesh as well as other tropical countries of the world.