Comparative evaluation of different approaches to estimate aboveground biomass and biomass density of tropical forests in Southeast Asia: A review

Abstract

A review of the national inventory reports on greenhouse gases (GHG) of the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand revealed great variability and problems in the reliability of the data on forest aboveground biomass. Approaches in estimating aboveground biomass include destructive sampling and allometric regression whereas approaches in estimating biomass density include stem volume, stand table, historic and geographic information system (GIS) approaches. Destructive sampling is the most direct and accurate approach in determining individual tree biomass. Development of site-specific and species-specific allometric regressions is a promising approach in improving reliability of biomass estimates. The use of tree diameter at breast height (D) as the sole parameter in the allometric equations yielded modest estimates of tree biomass. Inclusion of wood density parameter in the power equations slightly improved biomass estimates. Biomass expansion factor (BEF) and average diameter to represent diameter at breast height class are the key factors in the conversion of volume and stand table data, respectively, to biomass density. Biomass estimates using stand table approach are midway between those estimates resulting from ecological and volume approaches. The GIS approach permits spatial extrapolation of the local data estimate on biomass density changes as affected by climate, topography, soil, population pressure and landuse. It is very difficult to make a direct comparison of aboveground biomass and biomass density estimates of the different forest types in Southeast Asia due to lack of a common forest type classification as reported in the different articles reviewed.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Agricultural Scientist

ISSN

317454

Page

61-75

Document Type

Article

Subject

Aboveground biomass, Allometric regression, Biomass density, Destructive sampling, Geographic information system, Historical approach, Stand table, Volume approach

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS