Matieu Henry, Nicolas Picard, Carlo Trotta, Raphaël J. Manlay, Riccardo Valentini, Martial Bernoux, Laurent Saint-André. (2011). Estimating tree biomass of sub-Saharan African forests: a review of available allometric equations. Silva Fennica vol. 45 no. 3B article id 38. https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.38

Keywords: aboveground biomass; databases; inventories; models; Tier method; wood specific gravity

Abstract | View details | Full text in PDF | Author Info

In response to the growing interest in estimating carbon stocks in forests, available allometric equations have been compiled for sub-Saharan Africa. Tree, sprout and stand volume and biomass equations were reviewed. The 850 equations and 125 related references were incorporated into an open-access database on the Carboafrica website (http://www.carboafrica.net). The collected information provides a basic tool for the estimation of biomass and carbon stocks and other purposes, such as bioenergy and fodder supply assessment. A Tier-method approach was developed to illustrate the possible use of the equations. Current available biomass expansion factors that are used to convert a volume to the total aboveground biomass appear to be limited; incomplete species-specific allometric equations are preferred to generalised equations. The analysis of the database highlighted important gaps in available tools to assess forest carbon stocks and changes in these stocks. A quality control assessment revealed that 22% of the equations were misreported and recommendations were proposed to guide further research. Further statistical analyses, such as the Bayesian approach, would help to produce more accurate biomass estimates.

Henry, IRD, UMR Eco&Sols, Montpellier SupAgro, 2 place Viala, 34060 Montpellier, France; Di.S.A.F.Ri, Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy; and AgroParisTech-ENGREF, GEEFT, Montpellier, France E-mail: henry@unitus.it
Picard, CIRAD, Montpellier, France E-mail: np@nn.fr
Trotta, Di.S.A.F.Ri, Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy E-mail: ct@nn.it
Manlay, IRD, UMR Eco&Sols, Montpellier SupAgro, 2 place Viala, 34060 Montpellier, France; and AgroParisTech-ENGREF, GEEFT, Montpellier, France E-mail: rjm@nn.fr
Valentini, Di.S.A.F.Ri, Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy E-mail: rv@nn.it
Bernoux, IRD, UMR Eco&Sols, Montpellier SupAgro, 2 place Viala, 34060 Montpellier, France E-mail: mb@nn.fr
Saint-André, CIRAD, Montpellier, France; and INRA, UR1138, Biogeochimie des Ecosystèmes Forestiers, Champenoux, France E-mail: lsa@nn.fr

Click this link to register to Silva Fennica.

If you are a registered user, log in to save your selected articles for later access.

Contents alert

Your selected articles
Send to email

Kotimäki T., (1993) Contradictory targets in the use of state forest.. Silva Fennica vol. 27 no. 3 article id 5517 (remove) | Edit comment

Zucchini W., Schmidt M. et al. (2001) A model for the diameter-height distribution in .. Silva Fennica vol. 35 no. 2 article id 594 (remove) | Edit comment

Valsta Lauri., (1992) An optimization model for Norway spruce manageme.. Acta Forestalia Fennica vol. 0 no. 232 article id 7678 (remove) | Edit comment

Matisone I., Matisons R. et al. (2018) Statistics of ash dieback in Latvia Silva Fennica vol. 52 no. 1 article id 9901 (remove) | Edit comment

Nyyssönen A., (1954) Structure and development of Scots pine stands t.. Acta Forestalia Fennica vol. 60 no. 4 article id 7411 (remove) | Edit comment

Peng S., (1987) On the combination of multitemporal satellite an.. Acta Forestalia Fennica vol. 0 no. 200 article id 7647 (remove) | Edit comment

Seppälä K., (1968) Preliminary results of post-drainage development.. Silva Fennica vol. 2 no. 3 article id 4770 (remove) | Edit comment

Selin L., (1954) Forestry income taxed in Finland in 1950-1953 in.. Acta Forestalia Fennica vol. 61 no. 32 article id 7444 (remove) | Edit comment

Finnish Society of Forest Science ., (1977) Seminar on the targets of forestry research and .. Silva Fennica vol. 11 no. 2 article id 4968 (remove) | Edit comment

Kärkkäinen M., (1974) Note on the volume based on the mean of butt and.. Silva Fennica vol. 8 no. 2 article id 4899 (remove) | Edit comment

Saarilahti M., (1982) Studies on the possibilities of using radar tech.. Acta Forestalia Fennica vol. 0 no. 176 article id 7623 (remove) | Edit comment

Aaltonen V. T., (1923) Experiments on clarification of protective actio.. Acta Forestalia Fennica vol. 25 no. 8 article id 7083 (remove) | Edit comment

Rekola M., Nippala J. et al. (2018) Modelling competences and anticipating the futur.. Silva Fennica vol. 52 no. 3 article id 9983 (remove) | Edit comment

Lakari O. J., (1937) Forest management planning Silva Fennica vol. no. 39 article id 4484 (remove) | Edit comment

Vesterinen E., (1934) The participation of troops in silvicultural work Acta Forestalia Fennica vol. 40 no. 4 article id 7281 (remove) | Edit comment

Rutanen K., (1971) Flora and vegetation of the Sinivuori Nature Par.. Silva Fennica vol. 5 no. 2 article id 4844 (remove) | Edit comment

Hiltunen O., Hallikainen V. et al. (2023) Analysing the groundwater level and its determin.. Silva Fennica vol. 57 no. 1 article id 10752 (remove) | Edit comment

Follow @SilvaFennica