Biomass conversion factors, expansion factors and leaf dry matter content for pinus

Abstract

There are two generally accepted approaches to the calculation of woody biomass. First, allometric equations that allow estimation of tree biomass using easily measured tree properties (diameter, tree height etc.), the second is the use of biomass conversion factors (BCEF) and biomass expansion factors (BEF) in biomass determination. Biomass accounts with BCEF and BEF based on forest inventory data are rather frequently used for large-scale estimations. BCEFs was calculated from the ratio of considered biomass component [ton] and total stem volume of trees (m3) (BCEF=W/V). BEF is calculated from the ratio of the considered biomass component and stem biomass (BEF=W/VStem). Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) is the ratio of leaf dry mass to fresh mass. In this study, BEF and BCEF of three pine species were calculated. Pinus brutia (Ten.), Pinus nigra (Arnold.) and Pinus sylvestris (L.) are spread in 45% of forest area in Turkey. Sample trees were taken for Pinus nigra, 34 trees from Kızılcahamam, 40 from Zonguldak and for Pinus sylvestris (L.), 40 trees from Çerkeş, 36 from Erzurum and for Pinus brutia (Ten.) 40 trees from Adana. BEF, BCEF and LDMC values were given as total when there were belowground data in Kızılcahamam and Çerkeş samples. As seen the table, Pinus sylvestris (planted) has the highest BCEF ratio and the Pinus nigra has the lowest. All LDMC values outside of Pinus brutia have similar values. It is understood that the higher dry matter content of P. brutia leaves may be due to the presence of a more arid growth environment.