New insights on above ground biomass and forest attributes in tropical montane forests

Cuní-Sanchez, Aida; Pfeifer, Marion; Marchant, Rob; Calders, Kim; Sørensen, Cathrine L.; Pompeu, Patrícia Vieira; Lewis, Simon L.; Burgess, Neil D.

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2017.05.030

Cited by 36 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…However, we also found that Michaelis–Menten models performed better on average than Weibull models (in terms of reducing height prediction error) when sample sizes were small, with the relative performance of Weibull models increasing with sample size. The failure of a single model form to consistently outperform others at minimising height prediction errors (Figure ) supports previous studies that have found that the best performing model form varies between forest types (Cuni‐Sanchez et al., ). For example in locations with frequent natural disturbances trees may not reach their asymptotic maximum heights, and in these plots log–log models may perform better than asymptotic models.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Field methods for sampling tree height for tropical forest biomass estimation

et al. 2018

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Quantifying the relationship between tree diameter and height is a key component of efforts to estimate biomass and carbon stocks in tropical forests. Although substantial site‐to‐site variation in height–diameter allometries has been documented, the time consuming nature of measuring all tree heights in an inventory plot means that most studies do not include height, or else use generic pan‐tropical or regional allometric equations to estimate height.Using a pan‐tropical dataset of 73 plots where at least 150 trees had in‐field ground‐based height measurements, we examined how the number of trees sampled affects the performance of locally derived height–diameter allometries, and evaluated the performance of different methods for sampling trees for height measurement.Using cross‐validation, we found that allometries constructed with just 20 locally measured values could often predict tree height with lower error than regional or climate‐based allometries (mean reduction in prediction error = 0.46 m). The predictive performance of locally derived allometries improved with sample size, but with diminishing returns in performance gains when more than 40 trees were sampled. Estimates of stand‐level biomass produced using local allometries to estimate tree height show no over‐ or under‐estimation bias when compared with biomass estimates using field measured heights. We evaluated five strategies to sample trees for height measurement, and found that sampling strategies that included measuring the heights of the ten largest diameter trees in a plot outperformed (in terms of resulting in local height–diameter models with low height prediction error) entirely random or diameter size‐class stratified approaches.Our results indicate that even limited sampling of heights can be used to refine height–diameter allometries. We recommend aiming for a conservative threshold of sampling 50 trees per location for height measurement, and including the ten trees with the largest diameter in this sample.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Field methods for sampling tree height for tropical forest biomass estimation

et al. 2018

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“…Those plots with dominance of Polylepis pauta and lower prevalence of Baccharis padifolia had a positive relationship with higher AGB-C gains. These results suggest the importance large-statured trees, community species composition and their abundances in controlling C of dynamics as previously reported for high tropical and lowlands forests [84,[89][90][91][92]. Further explanation of these differential sequestration rates may be related to the recent heterogeneous human impact that each plot experienced.…”

Section: Plos Onesupporting

confidence: 81%

Carbon sequestration rates indicate ecosystem recovery following human disturbance in the equatorial Andes

Calderón-Loor

Cuesta

Pinto³

et al. 2020

PLoS ONE

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Few studies exist that document how high-elevation Andean ecosystems recover naturally after the cessation of human activities and this can limit the implementation of cost-effective restoration actions. We assessed Andean forest (Polylepis stands) and pá ramo grassland recovery along an elevation gradient (3,600-4,350 m.a.s.l.) in the Yanacocha Reserve (Ecuador) where natural recovery has been allowed since 1995. Within the Yanacocha Reserve in 2012 and 2014 the aboveground biomass (AGB), aboveground necromass (AGN) and belowground biomass (BGB) carbon (C) stocks were measured and C sequestration rates calculated as proxy of ecosystem recovery. The soil organic carbon (SOC) stock to 36-cm depth was also quantified during the 2012 survey. To explore potential drivers of spatiotemporal variation of the forest and pá ramo C stocks they were related to abiotic and biotic variables. Andean forest C stocks were influenced mainly by disturbance history and tree-species composition. Pá ramo C stocks´spatial variation were related to the elevation gradient; we found a positive significant trend in pá ramo AGB-C stocks with elevation, whereas we found a significant negative trend in AGN-C stocks. Likewise, significant temporal changes were found for AGB-C and AGN-C stocks. Net increases in AGB-C stocks were the largest in the Andean forest and pá ramo, 2.5 Mg C ha-1 year-1 and 1.5 Mg C ha-1 year-1 respectively. Carbon sequestration rates were partly explained by environmental variables. In the Andean forest, plots with low dominance of Baccharis padifolia were observed to present higher AGB-C and lower BGB-C sequestration rates. In the pá ramo, higher sequestration rates for AGB-C were found at higher elevations and associated with higher levels of growth-forms diversity. Temporal changes in BGB-C stocks on the contrary were non-significant. Our results indicated that terrestrial aboveground C sequestration rates might be an appropriate indicator for assessing Andean forest and pá ramo recovery after human disturbance.

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“…La biomasa forestal se define como el material lignocelulósico generado por procesos metabólicos de las plantas arbóreas (Simangunsong et al, 2017), dicho material se caracteriza por tener una composición con gran potencialidad energética que permite, mediante procesos de combustión completa o incompleta, la generación de calor y energía que puede ser transformada en electricidad (Cuni-Sanchez et al, 2017). La ventaja de la biomasa arbórea sobre otras fuentes energéticas es que es renovable, permite hacer un ciclo continuo de absorción de emisiones de CO 2 , la tecnología que implementa es de bajo costo y la cosecha de la biomasa es en el corto plazo (Simangunsong et al, 2016;Cuni-Sanchez et al, 2017). Adicionalmente, contribuye al balance de carbono y a la utilización y rehabilitación de tierras de bajo valor productivo.…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

Análisis del mercado de biomasa forestal con fines energéticos en la zona de Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Ulloa

Camacho

Arias‐Aguilar

et al. 2018

RFMK

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Ante la inestabilidad de los precios de los combustibles y la variabilidad climática, los precios de la electricidad son un aspecto sensible para la competitividad del país. La utilización de energías alternativas se ha convertido en una excelente opción de autoabastecimiento para empresas privadas y una manera de bajar la factura eléctrica y la ruta hacia un sistema energético nacional bajo en carbono. En el presente estudio se analizó el mercado de la biomasa con fines energéticos en la zona de Guanacaste. El estudio comprendió el mercado de biomasa de la región, tomando como núcleo forestal la zona de Abangares y evaluando las plantaciones forestales (oferta) y las empresas consumidoras de biomasa (demanda) en un radio de 100 km del núcleo de producción. La evaluación de la oferta se basó en datos consultados de FONAFIFO y de las proyecciones potenciales de residuos de las plantaciones; por su parte la demanda se obtuvo mediante encuestas y caracterizaciones de las empresas que actualmente consumen biomasa. Los resultados obtenidos mostraron que la especie dominante en reforestación fue T. grandis con un 40,3 % del total de área reforestada en la región, seguida por G. arborea con 13,2 % y con una potencialidad anual de generación de residuos superior a 98 000 ton en el caso de T. grandis y de 44 000 ton en G. arbórea. En cambio, la demanda mostró una capacidad superior a 250 000 ton/año, siendo que actualmente el 48 % es suplido por combustibles fósiles y apenas el 15,1 % por biomasa forestal (generalmente astillas). Al analiza el impacto financiero del posible cambio de combustibles por biomasa, se encontraron ahorros superiores al 50 %; sin embargo; encontrando la limitante que la biomasa existente (residuos del manejo forestal), no sería suficiente para suplir más del 57 % del mercado actual.

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New insights on above ground biomass and forest attributes in tropical montane forests

Cited by 36 publications

References 58 publications

Field methods for sampling tree height for tropical forest biomass estimation

Field methods for sampling tree height for tropical forest biomass estimation

Carbon sequestration rates indicate ecosystem recovery following human disturbance in the equatorial Andes

Análisis del mercado de biomasa forestal con fines energéticos en la zona de Guanacaste, Costa Rica

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