Abstract
ABSTRACT Necromass is a crucial component for the forest structure. However, there are few studies of necromass quantification in tropical rainforests and lack of efficient sampling methods. This research aimed at verifying the accuracy and effectiveness of sampling methods (Line-intersect sampling - LIS versus fixed area plots - FA) for the estimation of necromass in a tropical rainforest. The accuracy and efficiency of the methods were evaluated through descriptive statistics, paired t-test, ANOVA and relative efficiency. LIS method was more accurate and efficient, but it requires high sampling to meet sample error of 15%. Necromass at the forest fragment studied accounted for about 12.28% of the tree biomass. These findings show the importance of this compartment inclusion when quantifying carbon stocks in humid tropical forests, which acts as a true reservoir of carbon.
Highlights
Forests naturally produce woody residues through the fall of dead branches and trunks or whole trees (Cruz & Silva, 2009)
This research aimed at verifying the accuracy and effectiveness of sampling methods (Line-intersect sampling - line-intersect method (LIS) versus fixed area plots - FA) for the estimation of necromass in a tropical rainforest
These findings show the importance of this compartment inclusion when quantifying carbon stocks in humid tropical forests, which acts as a true reservoir of carbon
Summary
Forests naturally produce woody residues through the fall of dead branches and trunks or whole trees (Cruz & Silva, 2009). This vegetal detritus, known as necromass, constitute a crucial component of the forest structure acting both in quantitative aspect and in the functioning of the ecosystem (Sanchez et al, 2009; Gove et al, 2012; Bassett et al, 2015). Necromass stores a considerable amount of carbon (Russell et al, 2015; Iwashita et al, 2013) It is a sink of other nutrients on the forest floor beside being a habitat for a wide variety of organisms (Sefidi & Marvie Mohadjer, 2010). The coarse litter is divided into standing dead wood and fallen or downed necromass (Barbosa et al, 2009; Palace et al, 2012)
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