Ground Tree Biomass Research Articles

Assessing the Correlation between Aboveground Carbon Stock, NDVI and Tree Species Diversity (A Study of Kailali and Kanchanpur District)

There is limited research to show the correlation between biophysical character and reflectance value of satellite imageries. Thus, this research was conducted to show the relation between the reflectance value (Normalized Differences Vegetation Index: NDVI) and biophysical characteristics (carbon stock and biodiversity) of forest. Kanchanpur and Kailali districts of Nepal were selected as the study sites. Total 184 plots were established to measure the height and diameter at breast height (DBH). The Landsat 8 image of 2022 was downloaded from USGS.gov. Above ground tree biomass was calculated which was further converted into carbon stock. Tree species diversity was assessed using Shannon-Weiner index (H’). Furthermore, Pearson’ correlation was performed to show the relation between aboveground carbon stock vs NDVI and biodiversity vs NDVI. The descriptive statistics showed that mean value of above ground carbon with standard deviation was 109.70±64.52 and 96.76±53.79 ton/ha in Kanchanpur and Kailali districts respectively. The mean value with standard deviation of H’ index was 1.163 ±0.512 and 1.247 ±0.56 in Kanchanpur and Kailali districts respectively. The mean value with standard deviation of NDVI of the sampled plots was 0.491±0.268 and 0.367±0.192 of Kanchanpur and Kailali districts respectively. The R value of Carbon stock vs NDVI was 0.54 and 0.382 of study sites in Kanchanpur and Kailali districts respectively. Similar results were of Carbon stock vs H’ index and H’ index vs NDVI of the study sites of these districts. t-test showed that, these equations were significant at 5% since p value was less than 0.05. This study will be useful to understand the application of NDVI to correlate with biophysical characteristics of the forest.

Carbon Pools in a 77 Year-Old Oak Forest under Conversion from Coppice to High Forest

Recent model projections and many research results across the world suggest that forests could be significant carbon sinks or sources in the future, contributing in a such a way to global warming mitigation. Conversion of coppice forest to high forest may play an important role towards this direction. This study deals with the estimation of biomass, carbon pool and accumulation rates in all IPCC biomass categories of a 77 year-old oak ecosystem, which has been subjected to conversion from coppice to high forest through repeated tending measures. The research includes a plethora of field tree measurements, destructive sampling of representative oak trees and a systematic sampling of dead wood (standing and fallen), litter and soil. Furthermore, for the estimation of above ground tree living biomass at the stand level, we developed and tested appropriate allometric biomass equations based on the relationships between various independent tree variables (morphological characteristics) and the different tree biomass compartments or leaf biomass. Data analysis shows that coppice conversion results in large accumulation of carbon in all ecosystem pools, with an average annual carbon rate accumulation of 1.97 Mg ha–1 in living above and below ground tree biomass and small amounts to dead wood and litter. The developed allometric equations indicate that above ground tree living biomass can be reliable and precisely predicted by the simple measurement of tree diameter.

Testing an expanded set of sustainable forest management indicators in Mediterranean coppice area

Although coppice forests represent a significant part of the European forest area, especially across southern Countries, they received little attention within the Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) processes and scenarios, whose guidelines have been mainly designed to high forests and national scale. In order to obtain “tailored” information on the degree of sustainability of coppices on the scale of the stand, we evaluated (i) whether the main coppice management options result in different responses of the SFM indicators, and (ii) the degree to which the considered SFM indicators were appropriate in their application at stand level. The study considered three different management options (Traditional Coppice TC, coppice under Natural Evolution NE, and coppice under Conversion to high forest by means of periodical thinning CO). In each of the 43 plots considered in the study, which covered three different European Forest Types, we applied a set of eighteen “consolidated” SFM indicators, covering all the six SFM Criteria (FOREST EUROPE, 2020) and, additionally, tested other sixteen novel indicators shaped for agamic forests and/or applicable at stand level. Results confirmed that several consolidated indicators related to resources status (Growing stock and Carbon stock), health (Defoliation and Forest damage), and socio-economic functions (Net revenue, Energy and Accessibility) were highly appropriate for evaluating the sustainability of coppice at stand level. In addition, some novel indicators related to resources status (Total above ground tree biomass), health (Stand growth) and protective functions (Overstorey cover and Understorey cover) proved to be highly appropriate and able to support the information obtained by the consolidated ones. As a consequence, a subset of consolidated SFM indicators, complemented with the most appropriate novel ones, may represent a valid option to support the evaluation of coppice sustainability at stand level. An integrated analysis of the SFM indicators showed that NE and CO display significant higher environmental performances as compared with TC. In addition, CO has positive effects also on socio-economic issues, while TC -which is an important cultural heritage and a silvicultural option that may help to keep local communities engaged in forestry – combines high wood harvesting rates with dense understory cover. Overall, each of the three management options showed specific sustainability values; as a consequence, their coexistence at a local scale and in accordance with the specific environmental conditions and the social-economic context, is greatly recommended since it may fulfill a wider array of sustainability issues.

Carbon stock assessment through above-ground biomass of trees at different forest composition in Mt. Malindawag, Lubilan, Naawan, Misamis Oriental, Philippines

It is documented that the amounts of carbon stored and its level of degradation in different forests compositions and different types of forest is mostly unknown, Philippines is no exemption as little was done in some places of this country. This study was conducted to assess carbon stock through above ground biomass of trees at different forest composition in Mt. Malindawag. There were three (3) 20m x 20m sample plots (quadrats) (400m2 equivalent to 0.04 ha) established as replicate plots provided with 50m intervals. Forest composition such as the Agroforestry area, mixed forest area and the Plantation forest were assessed in terms of the number of individuals, number of species, diameter, and height to calculate the biomass, tree biomass density as well as the carbon stock. Based on the results of the study conducted in different forest compositions of Mt. Malindawag, plantation forest has the highest carbon stocking rate. However, these results were not significantly different from the other forest composition. This was associated with a higher accumulated diameter, which resulted in higher biomass and eventually carbon stock. Species found in this forest composition are productive and have lesser number of individuals; therefore, there is lesser competition for resources such as light. Such a mechanism might contribute to the higher biomass and carbon stock. However, the result may not be right to other areas due to uncontrollable factors, anthropogenic and environmental factors. Hence, it is recommended to have further studies on areas where trees have similar age, species diversity index as well as stand development and site productivity for a more accurate and quantifiable carbon stock.

Uncertainties in above ground tree biomass estimation

Models of above-ground tree biomass have been widely used to estimate forest biomass using national forest inventory data. However, many sources of uncertainty affect above-ground biomass estimation and are challenging to assess. In this study, the uncertainties associated with the measurement error in independent variables (diameter at breast height, tree height), residual variability, variances of the parameter estimates, and the sampling variability of national inventory data are estimated for five above-ground biomass models. The results show sampling variability is the most significant source of uncertainty. The measurement error and residual variability have negligible effects on forests above-ground biomass estimations. Thus, a reduction in the uncertainty of the sampling variability has the greatest potential to decrease the overall uncertainty. The power model containing only the diameter at breast height has the smallest uncertainty. The findings of this study provide suggestions to achieve a trade-off between accuracy and cost for above-ground biomass estimation using field work.

Assessment of above ground biomass of Trees outside Forest (TOF) in the Context of Climate Change

Assessment of above ground biomass of Trees outside Forest (TOF) in the Context of Climate Change

Quantification of carbon stock under different land use regimes of Chitwan district, Nepal

Carbon sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems is gaining a global attention, including Nepal, to address the issues of climate change. Since, the quantification of carbon stock under different land use systems with focus on both biomass and soil profile is lacking, objective of this paper is to quantify carbon stock in biomass and in soil profile under different land use regimes, namely community forest, leasehold forest and agricultural land of Chitwan district. The carbon stock in biomass was calculated using the standard allometric equations, and Dry Combustion Method was used to determine the Soil Organic Carbon (SOC). The carbon content in above ground tree biomass (AGTB) was found to be higher (81.25 t/ha) in community forest than in leasehold forest (80.09 t/ha). The carbon stock in above ground sapling biomass (AGSB) was calculated only for the community forest, and was found to be 3. 67 t/ha. Similarly, the density of leaf litter, herbs and grasses (LHG) was also found to be higher (9. 25 t/ha) in the community forest in comparison to leasehold forest (6.45 t/ha). Further, the root carbon stock density was also higher (16.25 t/ha) in the community forest than in the leasehold forest (16.02 t/ha). However, the SOC density was highest in the agricultural land (73.42t/ha) followed by the community forest (66.38 t/ha)and the leasehold forest (52. 62 t/ha). Overall, the carbon stock was highest in the community forest (176.8 t/ha) then in leasehold forest (155.18 t/ha) followed by the agricultural land (73.42 t/ha). Hence, this study shows that well managed community forest can contribute significantly in offsetting global carbon emission.

Carbon Sequestration in the Trees of Community Forest:

Carbon sequestration is one of the main ecosystem services in today’s condition. Estimation of above ground tree biomass and carbon stock is important as it gives ecological and economic benefits to the local people. This study was conducted in the Hasantar Community Forest (HCF) of Nagarjun Municipality, Kathmandu. Concentric circular plots of 12.62m radius were established in five different blocks of HCF for the study of tree species. The main objective of this study was to find out the Important Value Index (IVI), Above Ground Tree Biomass (AGTB) and carbon stocks tree species of HCF. This forest comprises the tree species of families like fagacaeae, moraceae, myrtaceae, fabaceae etc in dominant numbers. Schima wallichii was found ecologically most significant tree species as it possess highest IVI value. The carbon stock of this plant was found as 206.865 t/ha which comprises 27 % of total carbon in HCF. The total above ground tree carbon stock of HCF (55.4 ha.) was found 144.795 t/ha.
 Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 7(1): 124-129

Carbon stock estimation of Shree Rabutar Forest of Gaurishankar Conservation Area, Dolakha, Nepal

Forests store significant amount of atmospheric carbon in the form of above and below ground biomass and the amount of carbon stored in forests differs along spatial continuum which provides important information regarding forest quality. This study was carried out to estimate the carbon stock of Shree Rabutar Forest of Gaurishankar Conservation Area, Dolakha, Nepal. In total, 20 circular sampling plots with an area 250 m2 were randomly laid in the study area. Ten tree species were observed in the sampling plots laid in the forest. The higher values of density, frequency, abundance and basal area were observed for Rhododendron arboreum, Alnus nepalensis, Pinus roxburghii and Pinus wallichiana. On the basis of Important Value Index, the dominant tree in the forest was Alnus nepalensis followed by Rhododendron arboreum and Pinus roxburghii. Shannon Index of general diversity of trees in the forest was 0.74 with equal value of Evenness Index, whereas the index of dominance was low (0.22) in the forest. Mean biomass of the forest was 464.01±66.71 tonha-1 contributed by above ground tree biomass (384.44 tonha-1), leaf litter, herbs and grasses biomass (2.69±0.196 tonha-1) and below ground tree biomass (76.88±11.13 tonha-1). Mean carbon stock was 262.77±30.79 tonha-1 including soil carbon stock 44.69±2.25 tonha-1. Individuals of trees with 20-30 cm DBH class were observed in maximum number, which shows that the forest has high potential to sequester carbon over time. Carbon stock estimation and forest management can be one of the potential strategies for climate change mitigation especially through carbon dioxide absorption by the forests.

Diversity, Structure and Carbon Stocks from Three Pools in the Kouoghap Sacred Forest, Hedgerows and <i>Eucalyptus</i> Plantations in the Batoufam Locality (West Cameroon)

The aim of this study was to make an inventory of the trees and estimate hedgerows and eucalyptus plantations carbon stocks in comparison with that of the Kouoghap sacred forest which is the only landscape having retained its original character. This study was conducted in the sacred forest, hedgerows and Eucalyptus plantations, which are the predominant land use type of Batoufam locality. Inventory data of trees with diameter ≥10 cm were made in 5 transects of 800 m x 5 m for the sacred forest and 10 transects of 300m x 5m for hedgerows and Eucalyptus plantations. The above and below ground biomass of trees was estimated using allometric equations; that of litter collected in 30 square plots of 0.5m x 0.5m, was estimated by the destructive method. A total of 70 and 11 trees species were respectively recorded in the sacred forest and hedgerows. However, Eucalyptus plantations are monospecific (only one trees species was found). The Shannon index (3.51) showed a rich floristic diversity in the sacred forest and weak diversity in hedgerows (1.94). The abundance of trees decreases with the increase in diameter classes of the sacred forest and hedgerows therefore forming and irregular appearance in the Eucalyptus plantations. No significant difference was found between these three land use according to the carbon stocks which varied from 130 to 196 tC.ha-1 for aboveground and from 31 to 47 tC.ha-1 for belowground carbon. As compared to, that of litter which was significantly different between the sacred forest (6.40 tC.ha-1), hedgerows (9.39 tC.ha-1) and Eucalyptus plantations (10.96 tC.ha-1). This study confirmed the conservation of biodiversity through sacred forest and also the need to take into account other types of lands use in policies to fight against climate changes given the amount of carbon they store.

Estimation of aboveground tree biomass Toona sureni and Coffea arabica in agroforestry system of Simalungun, North Sumatra, Indonesia

Latifah S, Muhdi, Purwoko A, Tanjung E. 2018. Estimation of aboveground tree biomass Toona sureni and Coffea arabica in agroforestry system of Simalungun, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 19: 670-675. Agroforestry is an ecologically and environmentally sustainable land use that offers great promise to carbon (C) sequestration. Forests play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions through maintaining current carbon stores and by increasing the rate of carbon sequestration. Vegetation carbon stocks are necessary to be quantified to evaluate the carbon sequestration potential in the ecosystem. Reasonable methods for estimating tree biomass and carbon storage on forest land are increasingly crucial given concerns of global climate change. This study aimed to evaluate C sequestration potential by agroforestry in North Sumatra Indonesia. This study was conducted at the Agroforestry system in Aek Nauli, Simalungun District, North Sumatra. Data collection for primary data was done through a field survey. The present study was carried out to determine above ground tree biomass of Toona sureni (Blume) Merr and Coffea arabica. Data retrieval of T. sureni and C. arabica was done by non-destructive sampling by measuring the diameter at breast height (dbh). The results showed that the potential of average above-ground biomass and carbon storage of T. sureni and C. arabica was 6.25 t ha-1 and 2.88 C t ha-1, respectively. Total aboveground biomass of Toona sureni and C. arabica in the study area was 93.75 ton, while total of carbon storage was 43.16 ton

Biomass Carbon Content in Schima-Castanopsis Forest of Midhills of Nepal: A Case Study from Jaisikuna Community Forest, Kaski

Forests are considered as both the source and sinks of carbon. Different types of forests have different carbon stock. Nepal's midhills community forests have high potentiality to sequester carbon. This paper analyzes the biomass carbon stock in Schima-Castanopsis forest of Jaisikuna community forests of Kaski district, Nepal. Forest area was divided into two blocks and 18 sample plots (9 in each block) were laid randomly. Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) and height of trees (DBH≥5cm) were measured using the DBH tape and clinometer. Leaflitter, herbs, grasses and seedling were collected from 1*1m2 plot and fresh weight was taken. Biomass of tree was calculated and below ground biomass is assumed 15% of above ground tree biomass. For calculating carbon stock, biomass is multiplied by default value 0.47. The above ground tree biomass (AGTB) carbon of chilaune, katus and other species was found 19.56 t/ha, 18.66 t/ha and 3.59 t/ha respectively. The AGTB of chilaune dominated, katus dominated and whole forest was found 43.78 t/ha, 39.83 t/ha and 41.81 t/ ha respectively. LHG carbon was found 2.73 t/ha. Below ground biomass carbon at whole forest was found 6.27 t/ha respectively. Total biomass and carbon at forest was found 108.09 t/ha and 50.80 t/ ha respectively. Difference in biomass and carbon content at chilaune dominated block and katus dominated block was found insignificant. Carbon estimation at forest of different elevation, aspect and location are recommended for further research.

Combining airborne laser scanning and Landsat data for statistical modeling of soil carbon and tree biomass in Tanzanian Miombo woodlands

BackgroundSoil carbon and biomass depletion can be used to identify and quantify degraded soils, and by using remote sensing, there is potential to map soil conditions over large areas. Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager satellite data and airborne laser scanning data were evaluated separately and in combination for modeling soil organic carbon, above ground tree biomass and below ground tree biomass. The test site is situated in the Liwale district in southeastern Tanzania and is dominated by Miombo woodlands. Tree data from 15 m radius field-surveyed plots and samples of soil carbon down to a depth of 30 cm were used as reference data for tree biomass and soil carbon estimations.ResultsCross-validated plot level error (RMSE) for predicting soil organic carbon was 28% using only Landsat 8, 26% using laser only, and 23% for the combination of the two. The plot level error for above ground tree biomass was 66% when using only Landsat 8, 50% for laser and 49% for the combination of Landsat 8 and laser data. Results for below ground tree biomass were similar to above ground biomass. Additionally it was found that an early dry season satellite image was preferable for modelling biomass while images from later in the dry season were better for modelling soil carbon.ConclusionThe results show that laser data is superior to Landsat 8 when predicting both soil carbon and biomass above and below ground in landscapes dominated by Miombo woodlands. Furthermore, the combination of laser data and Landsat data were marginally better than using laser data only.

LEAF AREA DYNAMICS AND ABOVEGROUND BIOMASS OF SPECIFIC VEGETATION TYPES OF A SEMI-ARID GRASSLAND IN SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

Leaf Area Index (LAI) dynamics and aboveground biomass of a semi-arid grassland region in Southern Ethiopia were determined over a long rain season. The vegetation was categorized into four distinct vegetation types namely Grassland (G), Tree-Grassland (TG), Bushed-Grassland (BG) and Bush-Tree grassland (BT). LAI was measured using a Plant Canopy Analyzer (LAI2000). Biomass dynamics of litter and herbaceous components were determined through clipping while the above ground biomass of trees and shrubs were estimated using species-specific allometric equations from literature. LAI showed a seasonal increase over the season with the maximum recorded in the BG vegetation (2.52). Total aboveground biomass for the different vegetation types ranged from 0.61 ton C/ha in areas where trees were non-existent to 8.80 ± 3.81ton C/ha in the Tree-Grassland vegetation in the study site. A correlation of LAI and AGB yielded a positive relationship with an R<sup>2</sup> value of 0.55. The results demonstrate the importance of tropical semi-arid grasslands as carbon sinks hence their potential in mitigation of climate change.

A nationwide forest attribute map of Sweden predicted using airborne laser scanning data and field data from the National Forest Inventory

The National Mapping Agency in Sweden has conducted an airborne laser scanning (ALS) campaign covering almost the entire country for the purpose of creating a new national Digital Elevation Model (DEM). The ALS data were collected between 2009 and 2015 using Leica, Optech, Riegl, and Trimble scanners and have a point density of 0.5–1.0pulses/m2. A high resolution national raster database (12.5m×12.5m cell size) with forest variables was produced by combining the ALS data with field data from the Swedish National Forest Inventory (NFI). Approximately 11500 NFI plots (10meter radius) located on productive forest land, inventoried between 2009 and 2013, were used to create linear regression models relating selected forest variables, or transformations of the variables, to metrics derived from the ALS data. The resulting stand level relative RMSEs for predictions of stem volume, basal area, basal-area weighted mean tree height, and basal-area weighted mean stem diameter were in the ranges of 17.2–22.0%, 13.9–18.2%, 5.4–9.5%, and 8.7–13.1%, respectively. It was concluded that the predictions had an accuracy that were at least as good as data typically used in forest management planning. Above ground tree biomass was also included in the national raster database but not validated on a stand-level.An important part of the project was to make the raster database available to private forest owners, forest associations, forest companies, authorities, researchers, and the general public. Thus, all predicted forest variables can be viewed and downloaded free of charge at the Swedish Forest Agency's homepage (http://www.skogsstyrelsen.se/skogligagrunddata).

Ecosystem Level Carbon and Net Primary Productivity of an Old-Growth and a Regenerating Humid Tropical Forest of North-Eastern India

Ecosystem level carbon and net primary productivity (NPP) estimates for old-growth and regenerating tropical forests of India are lacking. The study was conducted to estimate ecosystem level carbon contents and NPP, based on above and below ground biomass of trees, shrubs and herbs in an old growth and a regenerating humid tropical forest of Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary, Meghalaya in north-eastern India. Soil carbon contents were also estimated in both the forest types to estimate ecosystem level carbon. The tree above ground biomass values in old-growth and regenerating forests were 313.8 and 152.4 Mg ha-1 and the below ground values were 50.8 and 30.3 Mg ha-1, respectively. The corresponding total above ground biomass values including trees, litter, herb and shrub components were 323.7 and 159.3 Mg ha-1, respectively. Of the total ecosystem biomass values of 374.5 Mg ha-1 in the old-growth forest, 86% was in the above ground and 14% was in the below ground compartment. The corresponding proportions in the regenerating forest with total biomass of 189.6 Mg ha-1 were 84% and 16%, respectively. The total ecosystem carbon contents in old-growth and regenerating forests were 265.5 and 147.8 Mg C ha-1, of which soil organic carbon was 83.2 and 55.6 Mg C ha-1, respectively that contributed 31.3% and 37.6% to the total ecosystem carbon in the respective forests. However, ecosystem NPP in the regenerating forest (18.4 Mg ha-1 yr-1) was greater than the old growth forest(13.6 Mg ha-1 yr-1)

Soil C:N stoichiometry controls carbon sink partitioning between above-ground tree biomass and soil organic matter in high fertility forests

The release of organic compounds from roots is a key process influencing soil carbon (C) dynamics and nutrient availability in terrestrial ecosystems. Through this process, plants stimulate microbial activity and soil organic matter (SOM) mineralization thus releasing nitrogen (N) that sustains gross and net primary production (GPP and NPP, respectively). Root inputs also contribute to SOM formation. In this study, we quantified the annual net root-derived C input to soil (Net-Croot) across six high fertility forests using an in-growth core isotope technique. On the basis of Net-Croot, wood and coarse root biomass changes, and eddy covariance data, we quantified net belowground C sequestration. Belowground C accumulation and GPP were inversely related to soil C:N, but not to climate or stand age. Soil C content and C:N were also related to soil texture. At these high fertility sites, biomass growth did not change with soil C:N; however, biomass growth-to-GPP ratio significantly increased with increasing soil C:N. This was true for both our six forest sites and for another 23 high fertility sites selected at a global scale. We suggest that, at high fertility sites, plant N demand interacts with soil C:N stoichiometry and microbial activity, resulting in higher allocation of C to above ground tree biomass with increasing soil C:N ratio. When C:N is high, microbes have a low C use efficiency, respire more of the fresh C inputs by roots and prime SOM decomposition, thereby increasing N availability for tree uptake. Soil C sequestration would therefore decrease, whereas the extra N released during SOM decomposition can promote tree growth and ecosystem C sink allocation in aboveground biomass. Conversely, C is sequestered in soil when low soil C:N promotes microbial C use efficiency and new SOM formation and stabilization on clay particles.

Selecting Tree Species with High Carbon Stock Potency from Tropical Upland Forest of Bedugul-Bali, Indonesia

Vegetation studies to reveal tree diversity and its contribution to carbon stock were conducted in three differ ent sites of upland forest in Bali, Indonesia. The sites were located approximately 60 km north of the Bali Province capital city of Denpasar in an area named Bedugul. Those three sites were Mt. Mangu (forest area east of Beratan lake), forest area west of Buyan lake and forest area south of Tamblingan lake. There were 44, 29, and 21 tree species of 14, 19, 14 families with Shannon Diversity Index (H’) of 2.87, 2.64 and 1.69 respectively. Carbon stock average of above ground tree biomass from these sites were 214.2, 693.0 and 749.1 ton.ha -1 respectively. Tree species with top Summed Dominance Ratio (SDR) in each of those sites were Platea latifolia in Mt. Mangu, Planchonella sp. in Buyan, and Tabernaemontana macrocarpa in Tamblingan. Average carbon content of these three species were 493.25, 12,876.26 and 40.35 kg.ha -1 respectively.

Evaluating the energy and the carbon stored from tropical acacias: the first steps

Because of their relevance as a source of energy as woodfuel, carbon storage capacity and their environmental characteristics in ecosystems, tropical leguminous trees are suitable for their management on plantations to produce biomass for energy or carbon sequestration for climate change mitigation. The main purpose of this paper is to present the results of a research project to develop a methodology to estimate the energy content and the carbon sequestered in the above ground biomass of trees in plantations of Acacia cochliacantha and Acacia pennatula, two leguminous tree species of the tropical dry forest of Mexico and Central America. To do this the heating value and carbon content of wood data were integrated to transform allometric equations into energy and carbon sequestered equations. These equations, once supplemented with further experimental data could be very useful in calculating energy content and carbon sequestration to enhance the economics and sustainable management of these energy plantations.

Fractal Branching Model for Non-Destructive Biomass Estimation inTerminalia chebulaandEmblica officinalisAgroforestry Plantations

Fractal branching model is a non-destructive tool for biomass estimation. In the present paper we compared estimates of above ground tree biomass of Terminalia chebula and Emblica officinalis using usual method of biomass estimates and by employing Fractal Branching Analysis (FBA) model. Allometric equations were developed through FBA for above ground biomass of Terminalia chebula (B=0.1296D 2.0827), branch biomass (B=0.0103D 2.5388) and leaves+twig biomass (B=0.0529D 1.3269). Similarly, equations were developed for Embilica officinalis for above ground biomass B=0.0655 D 2.4042), branch biomass (B=0.0007 D 3.35108) and for leaves+twig (B=0.0656 D 1.621) (where B is Biomass and D is diameter of tree at breast height). While comparing the biomass estimate of both the methods using different descriptive statistics it was found that biomass equations developed through FBA model can fairly estimate the biomass as Maximum Error (ME) values ranged from 0.1 to 0.385 in Terminalia and from 0.068 to 0.289 in Embilica. The Coefficient of Residual Mass (CRM) values for both the species were also less than and near to one signifying good prediction by the FBA model. The experiment also showed that the method is fairly accurate and estimation for large number of trees, with different diameters, can be generated through the model thus saving precious time and resources.