Informatics Publishing Limited

S. Sandeep ¹, M. Sivaram ², H. Matieu ³, B. Luca ³, G. Rini ⁴

Affiliations
1 Soil Science Department, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, Thrissur, Kerala, IN
2 Statistics Department, National Diary Research Institute, Banglore, IN
3 Forest Department, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Vialedelle Terme di Caracalla, Rome, IT
4 Statistics Department, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, IN

Abstract

Estimation of volume, biomass and carbon stocks support several applications from the commercial exploitation of timber to global carbon cycle. Especially in the latter context the estimation of tree biomass with sufficient accuracy is essential to determine annual changes of carbon stored in particular ecosystems. Under the aegis of UN - REDD programme an extensive database on tree allometry in South Asia (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) was prepared by extensive and exhaustive literature collected from the region by institutional visits, bibliographic databases and FAO reports. An evaluation of this data on tree allometry in South Asia shows that there exists a total of 4456 equations on volume, biomass, BEF, carbon and other growth variables for 375 species belonging to 96 families and 275 genera. Proportionate allocation of allometric models for different species in the collected documents is not homogenous with commercially important ones capturing more percentage share of equations. Vague description of tree components and output terms reduces the quality of allometric equations developed in the region. Also the geographical distribution of these allometric equations is highly skewed and conscious efforts should be taken to unearth documents on allometry in the neglected life zones.

Keywords

Tree Allometric Equation, Estimation of Volume, Biomass, Carbon Stock, South Asia.

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M. Sivaram ¹, S. Sandeep ², H. Matieu ³

Affiliations
1 Southern Regional Station, National Dairy Research Institute, Bangalore (Karnataka), IN
2 Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, IN
3 Food and Agricultural Organization, Rome, IT

Abstract

Forest biomass is the basis for the estimation of carbon storage and emission due to forestry sector. Though the total forest biomass includes aboveground and belowground biomass, this paper deals with the issues related to aboveground biomass. The total aboveground biomass is estimated through a number of variables measured across various components of trees using non-destructive methods. The techniques employed range from simple measuring tape to regression models to satellite imageries. The total error in biomass estimates is the sum of errors in the variables propagated in a hierarchical fashion. The knowledge of prediction errors helps to know the quality of biomass and subsequently bio-energy and carbon estimates. In this paper, various sources of error in biomass estimation, error quantification and error propagation are discussed. The sources of error include tree measurements, sampling strategy, choice of an allometric model and satellite imageries.In South Asia, the standard errors of co-efficient of biomass equations and R² are often depicted as indicators for the quality of volumeand biomass equations. The Studies on error propagation in biomass estimates are scarce. Monte Carlo analysis, Pseudo-meta-analysis and Bayesian model averaging have been investigated to address the issues of error propagation in biomass estimation. Among these Bayesian model averaging appears to be a promising technique.

Keywords

Biomass, Error Propagation, Allometric Equation, Monte Carlo Analysis, Pseudo-Meta-Analysis and Bayesian Model.

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M. Sivaram ¹, S. Sandeep ², H. Matieu ³

Affiliations
1 Southern Regional Station, National Dairy Research Institute, Bangalore, IN
2 Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, Kerala, IN
3 Food and Agricultural Organization, Rome, IT

Abstract

In this paper, the status of forest biomass and carbon stock assessment in South Asia has been reviewed based on the reports of Forest Resource Assessment (FRA) -2010 published by FAO. The quality of the data reported to FAO is medium to high. The countries heavily depend on growing stock volume from National Forest Inventory reports for biomass and carbon estimation. While the National Forest Inventory is being carried out in India at regular intervals, other countries are attempting or in the process of undertaking periodic forest inventory. Besides updating the existing database of volume and biomass allometric equations, the regional/country specific biomass and carbon conversion factors are required to improve the present biomass and carbon estimates.

Keywords

Forest Biomass, Carbon Stock, South Asia.

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