Evaluation of leaf biomass, leaf carbon sequestration and leaf area index of Hawthorn (Crataegus aronia L.) in Ilam forests

The objective of this research was to estimate the biomass, carbon storage and leaf area index of hawthorn species (Crataegus aronia L.) in Sartaf forests of Ilam city. For this purpose, using random sampling method, 30 hawthorn trees were selected and variables of collar diameter, tree height, crown length and large and small diameter of the crown were measured. Then, the leaves from 1/4 or 1/8 of the crown of sample trees were collected. After drying the leaves in the oven, the dry weight of the leaves was determined. After burning a sufficient amount of dried leaves in an electric oven, the weight of organic matter and carbon content of the leaves were obtained. The weight method was used to calculate the leaf area index. The results showed that the average leaf biomass, leaf carbon sequestration, and carbon dioxide absorption from the atmosphere were 99.18, 46.61, and 170.59 kg per hectare, respectively. The average leaf area index of hawthorn species was calculated as 9.08 for each tree and 0.095 per hectare in study area. The results of allometric relationships using different regression models showed a positive and significant correlation between the variable of mean crown diameter with the variables of biomass and leaf area index of hawthorn trees in Ilam forests. In general, the results of this research show the ability of using allometric equations to measure biomass, carbon sequestration, and leaf area index of Crataegus aronia.