Matieu Henry , Nicolas Picard, Carlo Trotta, Raphaël J. Manlay, Riccardo Valentini, Martial Bernoux, Laurent Saint-André

Estimating tree biomass of sub-Saharan African forests: a review of available allometric equations

Henry M., Picard N., Trotta C., Manlay R. J., Valentini R., Bernoux M., Saint-André L. (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

Abstract

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.

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

Received 5 January 2011 Accepted 20 June 2011 Published 31 December 2011

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