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Articles containing the keyword 'biomass estimation'

Category : Research article

article id 23040, category Research article

Jānis Liepiņš, Ieva Jaunslaviete, Kaspars Liepiņš, Līga Jansone, Roberts Matisons, Andis Lazdiņš, Āris Jansons. (2023). Effect of stem rot on wood basic density, carbon, and nitrogen content of living deciduous trees in hemiboreal forests. Silva Fennica vol. 57 no. 3 article id 23040. https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.23040

Keywords: wood specific gravity; birch; climate change mitigation; biomass estimation; alder; aspen; wood decay

Highlights: Stem rot significantly reduces the basic density of wood and increases its nitrogen content in living deciduous trees, while the carbon content appears irresponsive; The effect of the distance from the pith on the basic density and nitrogen content of wood varies, depending on presence of discoloration or decomposition in the wood.

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While numerous studies have focused on analyzing various aspects of the carbon (C) budget in forests, there appears to be a lack of comprehensive assessments specifically addressing the impact of stem rot on the C budget of broadleaf tree species, especially in old-growth forests where stem rot is prevalent. One of the main challenges in accurately quantifying C losses caused by stem rot is the lack of precise data on the basic density and C content of decayed wood, which are crucial for converting decayed wood volume into biomass and C stocks. Using linear mixed-effects models, we examine the variability of wood basic density, C content, and nitrogen (N) content. Discolored and decomposed wood was collected from the stems of 136 living deciduous trees common in hemiboreal forests in Latvia. Our research indicates a noticeable reduction in the wood basic density, coupled with an increase in the N content within the stem wood throughout the decomposition process in birch (Betula spp.), European aspen (Populus tremula L.), grey alder (Alnus incana (L.) Moench), and common alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.). While aspen wood showed a decreasing trend in C content as decay progressed, a pairwise comparison test revealed no significant differences in C content between discolored and decomposed wood for the studied species, unlike the findings for basic density and N content. This study emphasizes the need to account for stem rot in old-growth forest carbon budgets, especially in broadleaf species, and calls for more research on stem rot-induced carbon losses.

Liepiņš, Latvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava,” Rigas Street 111, LV-2169 Salaspils, Latvia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3030-1122 E-mail: janis.liepins@silava.lv
Jaunslaviete, Latvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava,” Rigas Street 111, LV-2169 Salaspils, Latvia https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7322-2729 E-mail: ieva.jaunslaviete@silava.lv
Liepiņš, Latvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava,” Rigas Street 111, LV-2169 Salaspils, Latvia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1179-8586 E-mail: kaspars.liepins@silava.lv
Jansone, Latvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava,” Rigas Street 111, LV-2169 Salaspils, Latvia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2748-3797 E-mail: liga.jansone@silava.lv
Matisons, Latvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava,” Rigas Street 111, LV-2169 Salaspils, Latvia E-mail: roberts.matisons@silava.lv
Lazdiņš, Latvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava,” Rigas Street 111, LV-2169 Salaspils, Latvia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7169-2011 E-mail: andis.lazdins@silava.lv
Jansons, Latvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava,” Rigas Street 111, LV-2169 Salaspils, Latvia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7981-4346 E-mail: aris.jansons@silava.lv

article id 10215, category Research article

Korotimi Ouédraogo, Kangbéni Dimobe, Adjima Thiombiano. (2020). Allometric models for estimating aboveground biomass and carbon stock for Diospyros mespiliformis in West Africa. Silva Fennica vol. 54 no. 1 article id 10215. https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.10215

Keywords: Burkina Faso; biometric variables; African ebony; biomass estimation equations; carbon storages; jackalberry; Sudanian savanna

Highlights: Biomass estimation models developed for Diospyros mespiliformis; Models based on DBH alone predicted aboveground biomass with 97.11% accuracy; Published models had relative error between –72% and +98%; Models for branch and stem biomass were more accurate than those for leaf biomass.

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Accurate estimates of aboveground biomass (AGB) strongly depend on the suitability and precision of allometric models. Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst. ex A. DC. is a key component of most sub-Sahara agroforestry systems and, one of the most economically important trees in Africa. Despite its importance, very few scientific information exists regarding its biomass and carbon storage potential. In this study direct method was used to develop site-specific biomass models for D. mespiliformis tree components in Burkina Faso. Allometric models were developed for stem, branch and leaf biomass using data from 39 tree harvested in Sudanian savannas of Burkina Faso. Diameter at breast height (DBH), tree height, crown diameter (CD) and basal diameter (D₂₀) were regressed on biomass component using non-linear models with DBH alone, and DBH in combination with height and/or CD as predictor variables. Carbon content was estimated for each tree component using the ash method. Allometric models differed between the experimental sites, except for branch biomass models. Site-specific models developed in this study exhibited good model fit and performance, with explained variance of 81–98%. Using models developed from other areas would have underestimated or overestimated biomass by between –72% and +98%. Carbon content in aboveground components of D. mespiliformis in Tiogo, Boulon and Tapoa-Boopo was 55.40% ± 1.50, 55.52% ± 1.06 and 55.63% ± 1.00, respectively, and did not vary significantly (P-value = 0.909). Site-specific models developed in this study are useful tool for estimating carbon stocks and can be used to accurately estimate tree components biomass in vegetation growing under similar conditions.

Ouédraogo, University Joseph Ki-Zerbo, UFR/SVT, Laboratory of Plant Biology and Ecology, 03 B.P. 7021 Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso E-mail: okorotimi@yahoo.fr
Dimobe, University Joseph Ki-Zerbo, UFR/SVT, Laboratory of Plant Biology and Ecology, 03 B.P. 7021 Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso; University of Dédougou, Institut des Sciences de l’Environnement et du Développement Rural (ISEDR), BP 139 Dédougou, Burkina Faso; West African Science Service Center on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use, Competence Center, Avenue Muamar Ghadhafi, Ouagadougou, BP 9507, Burkina Faso https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5536-9700 E-mail: kangbenidimobe@gmail.com
Thiombiano, University Joseph Ki-Zerbo, UFR/SVT, Laboratory of Plant Biology and Ecology, 03 B.P. 7021 Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso E-mail: adjima_thiombiano@yahoo.fr

article id 1631, category Research article

Jonas Koala, Louis Sawadogo, Patrice Savadogo, Ermias Aynekulu, Janne Heiskanen, Mohammed Saïd. (2017). Allometric equations for below-ground biomass of four key woody species in West African savanna-woodlands. Silva Fennica vol. 51 no. 3 article id 1631. https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.1631

Keywords: root; shoot ratio; Burkina Faso; biomass estimation; species-specific equation; root excavation

Highlights: Species-specific equations for belowground biomass (BGB) predicted biomass with less bias than generic equations; All the generic equations underestimated BGB; For accurate estimation of BGB in savanna-woodlands, species-specific equations are needed for more species.

Abstract | Full text in HTML | Full text in PDF | Author Info

Accurate estimates of both above-ground biomass (AGB) and below-ground biomass (BGB) are essential for estimating carbon (C) balances at various geographical scales and formulating effective climate change mitigation programs. However, estimating BGB is challenging, particularly for forest ecosystems, so robust allometric equations are needed. To obtain such equations for savanna-woodlands of the West African north sudanian zone, we selected four common native woody species (Anogeissus leiocarpa (DC.) Guill. & Perr., Detarium microcarpum Guill. & Perr., Piliostigma thonningii (Schumach.) Milne-Redh. and Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Gaertn.). At two sites in Burkina Faso, we determined the BGB of 30 trees of each of these species by excavation, and measured various above-ground dimensional variables. The root:shoot ratio varied widely among the species, from 0.1 to 3.4. Depending on the species, allometric equations based on stem basal area at 20 cm height, basal area at breast height and tree height explained 50–95% of the variation in BGB. The best generic equation we obtained, based on basal area at 20 cm, explained 60% of the variation in BGB across the species. Three previously published generic allometric equations underestimated BGB by 8 to 63%. The presented equations should significantly improve the accuracy of BGB estimates in savanna-woodlands and help avoid costly needs to excavate root systems.

Koala, Centre National de Recherche Scientifique et Technologique (CNRST), Institut de l’Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles (INERA), Département Productions Forestières, 03 BP 7047, Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso E-mail: ezeyamb@yahoo.fr
Sawadogo, Centre National de Recherche Scientifique et Technologique (CNRST), Institut de l’Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles (INERA), Département Productions Forestières, 03 BP 7047, Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso E-mail: sawadogo_ls@hotmail.com
Savadogo, World Agroforestry Centre & International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRAF-ICRISAT), West and Central Africa Region-Sahel Node, BP 12404, Niamey, Niger E-mail: savadogo.patrice@gmail.com
Aynekulu, World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), United Nations Avenue, P.O. Box 30677-00100, Nairobi, Kenya E-mail: e.betemariam@cgiar.org
Heiskanen, University of Helsinki, Department of Geosciences and Geography, P.O. Box 68, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland E-mail: janne.heiskanen@helsinki.fi
Saïd, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). P.O. Box 30709, Nairobi, Kenya E-mail: m.said@cgiar.org

article id 520, category Research article

Rüdiger Grote. (2002). Foliage and branch biomass estimation of coniferous and deciduous tree species. Silva Fennica vol. 36 no. 4 article id 520. https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.520

Keywords: Picea abies; Fagus sylvatica; biomass estimation; crown dimensions; allometric equations

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Under changing environmental conditions, biomass development on the tree and the stand level may differ from today, regardless if the induced change is due to a shift in the general climate properties or to forest management. Under these conditions, tree biomass can not be derived from tables based on former investigations but has to be defined from particular biomass investigations, which generally calculate tree and stand biomass from sample branches using allometric relationships. Therefore, sample measurements on harvested trees are needed. In this paper, foliage and branch biomass estimation for 6 Norway spruces (Picea abies) and 6 beeches (Fagus sylvatica) harvested in a 56-year-old mixed stand in southern Germany is presented. Different allometric models are investigated to derive branch biomass from branch dimension for both species. The equations that are based on branch length, foliated branch fraction, and branch diameter are used for tree and stand level estimates. However, the variation within the 6 trees of each species was too large for a reliable calculation of stand biomass, especially in case of beech branch wood. Furthermore, the necessity of allometric relations and their applicability in individual-tree models is discussed, and the importance of suitable branch- and tree selection is underlined.

Grote, TU München, Chair of Forest Yield Science, Am Hochanger 13, D-85354 Freising, Germany E-mail: ruediger.grote@lrz.tu-muenchen.de

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