Allometric Model for above Ground Biomass of Eucalyptus Clonal from Tropical dry Deciduous Forest of Odisha in India

Abstract

Global carbon stock through carbon credits were calculated according to the REDD+. Accurate biomass estimates for the various forest components are crucial. Directly or indirectly wood volume and mixed species allometric equations have been used for biomass calculation in India. Because, there is still lacking of biomass estimation equations in across India, specifically on species-specific equations, which are required to predict the above ground biomass (AGB) stocks non-destructively. Therefore, the objective of this article is to develop the species- specific allometric model for eucalyptus clonal trees. We have selected 2216 individual trees belonging to 21 sampling units of eucalyptus groups at the plantlet from a tropical dry deciduous forest of Odisha and developed tree specific allometric model for aboveground biomass assessment. The combination of height and girth at breast height are the parameters used to predict above-ground biomass. For each plot (strata) we have generated allometric equations and select the best allometric model to avoid the changes in the dependent variable (AGB) associated with the independent variables height and girth of eucalyptus species. Further, the belowground biomass (BGB) was estimated for 21 plots using above ground biomass and root to shoot ratio variable. We also compared with the existing volume equation and developed allometric equation for above-ground biomass which gives most accurate results; thus we recommend using the species-specific allometric model developed with girth and height for the above ground biomass estimation.