ALLOMETRIC MODEL COMPARISON AND COMPONENTS BIOMASS EVALUATION OF ALNUSNEPALENSIS, RHODODENDRON ARBOREUM AND TECTONA GRANDIS

Abstract

The study focuses on evaluation of different component biomass of Alnus nepalensis, Rhododendron arboreum and Tectona grandis using pre-existing multiple species-specific equations developed by various authors. The study aimed to compare component biomass estimation obtained using these different equations keeping values of diameter, wood density and height constant for three plant species. A total of 80 equations were computed. A wide variation in component biomass estimation were observed within tree species. Biomass for all the three tree species was also evaluated and compared using two mixed standard equations which can be used across a range of conditions in India. It was observed that there was a significant difference in biomass estimation in the studied tree species. Aboveground biomass for Tectona grandis ranged from 551-1869 kg tree-1. Leaf Biomass for Rhododendron arboreum ranged from -1.29 to -5.29 as negative numerals. Similar intriguing observations were reported for tree bio-volume estimation.