Biomass conversion factors for tree species and verification of applicability for national factors in Korea

Abstract

Biomass conversion factors such as stem densities and biomass expansion factors of eight tree species and their applicability as national factors were determined. The stem densities of Cryptomeria japonica (III), Chamaecyparis obtuse (III), Pinus densiflora (IV), Pinus rigida (IV), Pinus koraiensis (IV), Larix leptolepis (IV), Quercus acutissima (III), and Liriodendron tulipifera (IV) were 0.37, 0.33, 0.46, 0.41, 0.58, 0.65, 0.88, and 0.58 g/ cm3, respectively. The biomass expansion factors of C. japonica (III), C. obtuse (III), P. densiflora (IV), P. rigida (IV), P. koraiensis (IV), and L. leptolepis (IV) were 1.393, 1.360, 1.150, 1.136, 1.212, and 1.097 (aboveground), respectively. Q. acutissima (III) had biomass expansion factors of 1.133 (aboveground) and 1.185 (underground), and L. tulipifera (IV) had biomass expansion factors of 1.161 (aboveground) and 1.216 (underground). As a result of verifying applicability as national factors using the investigated factors, it could be assumed that the stem density (0.47 g/ cm3) and biomass expansion factor (1.29 aboveground) in coniferous trees and the stem density (0.65 g/ cm3) and biomass expansion factor (1.22 aboveground) in hardwood trees were suitable for determining biomass. Based on these results, precise estimation of forest biomass classified by forest type, tree species, and age classes of Jeonbuk region would be possible.