Abstract
Multiple linear regression based on the crown diameter (the most explicative biometric variable for pollarded trees) and diameter at breast height indices produced the more parsimonious model with moderate accuracy to estimate leaf biomass used to feed livestock in strongly seasonal silvopastures. The aim of this study is to develop allometric equation to estimate leaf biomass of pollarded Lebanon oak trees, a species used as fodder tree in western Iran. A pollarded stand (6.6 ha in area including 560 Lebanon oak trees) was selected. Full callipering of all trees (collar diameter ≥5 cm) was conducted: collar diameter and diameter at breast height (DBH) of stem, tree height, trunk height, and crown diameters (CDs) were measured. At the time of pollarding, the fresh weight of leafy branches resulting from pollarding of each tree was measured. Finally, dry weight of leaf biomass for entire crown was determined. Biometric indices as predictor variables for estimating dry weight of leaf biomass were used. Multiple linear regression based on CD and stem DBH produced the more parsimonious model. The results indicated that natural logarithmic transformation of dry weight of leaf biomass improved the model’s goodness of fit. The moderate accuracy of the proposed allometric equation is explained by the scattered distribution of the trees and the strong modification of canopy structure through periodical pollarding. Leaf biomass estimate is used to evaluate the impact of pollarding on nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration in forest.
Published Version
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