Allometric models for estimating aboveground biomass of shade trees and coffee bushes grown together

Abstract

Allometric models for dominant shade tree species and coffee plants (Coffea arabica) were developed for coffee agroforestry systems in Matagalpa, Nicaragua. The studied shade tree species were Cordia alliodora, Juglans olanchana, Inga tonduzzi and I. punctata. The models predict aboveground biomass based on diameter at breast height (for trees), and the stem diameter at a height of 15 cm and plant height (for coffee plants). In addition, the specific gravity of the studied species was determined.The total aboveground biomass of the shade trees varied between 3.5 and 386 kg per tree, and between 0.005 and 2.8 kg per plant for coffee. The aboveground biomass components (foliage, branch, and stem) are closely related with diameter at breast height (r > 0.75). The best-fit models for aboveground biomass of the shade trees were logarithmic, with adjusted R 2 between 0.71 and 0.97. In coffee plants, a high correlation was found (r = 0.84) with the stem diameter at 15 cm height, and the best-fit model was logarithmic, as well. The mean specific gravity was 0.52 (-0.11) for trees and 0.82 (-0.06) for coffee plants.

Woody Species Diversity in Traditional Agroforestry Practices of Dellomenna District, Southeastern Ethiopia: Implication for Maintaining Native Woody Species

“…The diameter of coffee shrub was measured at 15 cm aboveground [27]. A quadrat size of 20 × 20 m (400 m 2 ) was used for woody species assessment for diameter ≥5 cm [28].…”

Greenhouse gas emissions in coffee grown with differing input levels under conventional and organic management

“…All the material pruned from coffee bushes was also left in the plots (coffee bushes were pruned according to standard coffee agronomic practice, to the same level across all treatments). shown to provide long-term carbon stores in shade-tree and crop biomass (Segura et al, 2006;Dossa et al, 2008), currently these gain no recognition for their net carbon storage benefit when compared, for example, with coffee grown in full sun or with annual crops.…”

A bitter cup: the estimation of spatial distribution of carbon balance in Coffea spp. plantations reveals increased carbon footprint in tropical regions

“…This fact resulted in smaller carbon stock in the cultivated area and higher carbon footprint due to the larger production, causing this increase in the carbon footprint indexes (Segura et al 2006, Dossa et al 2008, Siles et al 2010). Additionally, a negative balance after 2005 may be linked to negative effects of climate change in the tropical regions, which implicates higher demand of agricultural inputs in the system to secure the production, which are directly related to the increase in carbon footprint.…”