Investigation the Accuracy of Estimating the Biomass of Poplar (Populus alba L.) Trees using Allometric Equations

Computation of tree biomass, leads to a clear understanding of production potential of natural and artificial forest habitats. Measuring the biomass of trees is possible by direct-cutting and estimation methods. The present study was performed to evaluate the accuracy of allometric equations in estimation of poplar (Populus alba L.) biomass in Koran village of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. For this purpose, 30 number of trees in the study area were randomly selected and their quantitative characteristics including diameter and height of trees were measured and recorded. Then, the biomass of selected trees was calculated by using allometric power equations and applying a diameter at breast height. Then, all selected trees were cut down, sectioned, weighted and sampled and by deducting the percentage of moisture calculated for the samples and extending it to the whole of each section, the biomass of the different organs of the trees was calculated and the results of the cutting method were compared with the estimated biomass of the allometric equations. The results of paired samples t-test showed that the highest biomass of the trees belonged to trunk, branch, twigs and leaf, respectively. Also, results of comparing the two methods showed that there were no significant differences between two methods in calculating the trunk biomass (P 0.387), shoots (P 0.093) and leaves (P 0.082). But for branch biomass, there was a significant difference between the two methods (P: 0.007). The results of this study showed that allometric equations have high accuracy (90%) in estimating the biomass of poplar trees and can be used in related studies instead of destructive and costly cutting off method.