Relative accuracy of method of biomass and volume estimation in forest tree plantations

Abstract

Black Wattle (Acacia mollissima) plantations have come up extensively in the mid-hills of North-Western Himalayas. The above ground biomass and its allocation among different tree components (leaf, branch+ twig and stem wood) and among diameter classes was estimated using destructive and non-destructive method for stands established at different sites. Stemwood volume (m3 ha-1) was also calculated for each stand by these two methods. The results have revealed that leaf and branch biomass at all sites was over estimated by the non-destructive method whereas, over estimates in stem wood biomass were recorded in two sites only. Stemwood volume estimated by non-destructive means was less than that by destructive one. Therefore, in general to avoid destructive felling, reasonable estimate can be predicted using non-destructive methods of biomass and volume estimation.