Allometry, Biomass and Productivity in Pinus massoniana Forests of China: An Updated Review of Published Data

Abstract

Field measurements of forest biomass are labor-consuming and usually destructive, but such direct datasets are the foundation for further developing indirect estimation such as biomass equation and biomass expansion factors that were used to scale biomass estimation or carbon storage from site or local surveys up to regional or national level. Pinus massoniana is widely distributed throughout 17 provinces of China and has a high economic value. This study is an updated review of the allometric equations, biomass allocation data and productivity estimations in Pinus massoniana forests of China published in articles during the period from 1982 to 2019. Different allometric equations of Pinus massoniana showed site-specific dependences. The aboveground and total tree biomass were expressed as power equations of mean age for Pinus massoniana forests. The mean value of aboveground tree biomass, total tree biomass and ecosystem biomass across all ages for Masson pine forests was 109.81, 127.65 and 138.76 Mg/ha, respectively. The mean proportion of stem, branch and foliage to aboveground tree biomass for Pinus massoniana was 77.1%, 15.9% and 7%, respectively. The tree root biomass continuously increased with the aboveground tree biomass and a power relationship was found between the tree root biomass and aboveground tree biomass for Pinus massoniana forests. The tree net primary productivity increased with aboveground tree biomass for Pinus massoniana forests, and the relationship was expressed as a linear equation. The mean tree, litter and ecosystem net primary productivity was 7.04, 4.88 and 8.30 Mg/ha/year, respectively. These findings provide key parameters for the biomass estimation and carbon accounting studies of widely planted Pinus massoniana forests in China.