Biomass prediction in clonal plantations of Tectona grandis L. f y Gmelina arborea Roxb. in Costa Rica

Abstract

Actually, climate change is listed as the main problem facing humanity, parallel to this, forest ecosystems are recognized as carbon sinks. The objective of this work was to develop predictive models of biomass per unit area (hectare) for Tectona grandis and Gmelina arborea, established in commercial plantations from clonal material. The biomass of each component of the tree (leaves, branches, root, stem) was calculated using allometric models developed for both species. The information to apply those models was obtained from databases on tree measurements in permanent sampling plots and for each permanent plot, the biomass, and the basal area were calculated and then extrapolated to a hectare. Later, aggregate models were developed for the biomass per hectare of leaves, branches, roots, stems, for woody biomass and total biomass. All the models showed an adjustment (R²) greater than 85 %, with RCME and EMA values less than 0.23 and errors or estimation biases less than 2.5 %. The chosen models are characterized by their robustness, precision, and practicality of use, making them a very useful tool for predicting biomass.