Allometric relationships to estimate aboveground biomass of species in a tropical dry forest of Central Mexico

Abstract

The estimation of biomass in seasonally tropical dry forests requires basic information that for some species is scarce. To help solve this deficit, we generated allometric equations for five species of tropical dry forest (TDF). Equations for each tree species studied, for two groups of species, and all species together are reported. The equations were of the power type, based on diameter at breast height (dbh). The allometric model of each species included was fitted resulting in high values of the coefficient of determination using only the variable dbh. The allometric equations for each of the five forest species differed from each other (p < 0.05). Species grouped according to similar specific wood density showed a better fit of the model (p < 0.05), particularly those with high values for this parameter, than when considering only one species. The biomass of all species was predicted correctly by using only the measures of the basal area. However, the coefficient of determination increased, and the estimated error decreased, when the specific wood density was added to the model. Finally, the best fit of the model is attained by adding the tree height to the equation. The last two characteristics, however, were not significant when determining the individual models for each species.