Simultaneous Equations to Estimate Aboveground Biomass of Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis

Abstract

This study aimed to develop equations to predict the biomass of trunks, branches, needles and total individual biomass for Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis. A simultaneous equation system was also adjusted. Twenty (20) trees from the experimental area of the State University of Southwest Bahia (UESB), Vitoria da Conquista, Bahia, Brazil, were measured and weighed, while 15 traditional models were tested for dry biomass modeling. Of the models tested for total aboveground biomass, trunk biomass and pine needle/leaf biomass, models 9, 9 and 6, respectively obtained the most accurate adjustments. The models with the best performance for branch biomass were model 2 and logistics. The use of the adjustment method for simultaneous equations assured properties of additivity between biomass compartments and total biomass, preventing distortions between the sum of the individual equations for each compartment and the total equation.