Estimation of annual radial growth, biomass and carbon allocation in different forms of Quercus brantii Lindl. tree species

By comparing the pattern of rings among the trees in each region, it is possible to determine the exact year of ring formation. In this study, the data were collected from two different sites, Basht and Dehdez. In each site, 18 Quercus brantii individuals from two growth forms were selected and cut within each plot and the felled trees were then partitioned and the fresh weight was measured in the field. Also, a complete cross-sectional disk was sampled from each sampled tree at stump height (0.3 m aboveground). Moisture and carbon content of samples were measured in the laboratory and dry weights and carbon stock were also calculated. The proportion of annual diameter and average annual biomass quantity in the scale of individual tree and the growing forms including coppice and high-forest were studied in the current research. Average annual radial increment for Quercus brantii from two plantations, high forest, and coppice, were 1.73 and 1.95 in central Zagros forest and 2.04 and 1.98 (mm/year-1) in south Zagros forest, respectively. Also, average annual biomass increment for high forest and coppice were 6.34 and 6.52 in central Zagros forest and 7.20 and 6.84 (kg/year-1) in south Zagros forest, respectively. The carbon allocation was 48% of the biomass production. The results showed that there are no statistically significant differences between annual diameter increment and average annual biomass amounts in two different sites (p