Allometric relations for young Kandelia candel (L.) Blanco plantation in Northern Vietnam

Abstract

In Southeast Asia in general and Vietnam in particular, mangrove plantations cover a vast area of coastal line and they are till in young stage. A precise estimation of the biomass is necessary for evaluation and management of the plantation. Therefore, through assessing forest structure, this study would address on estimation of biomass of young mangrove plantations. Study plots were set up in 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 year old Kandelia candel (L.) Blanco plantations in Thai Binh River Mouth, Northern Vietnam. Twenty six tree individuals in the plots were harvested. Tree height (H); diameter at 0.3 m in height (D), D*H; D2 and D2*H were used as variables for estimate plan parts, leaf (wL), branch-stem (wBS), propagules (wP) and total dry weight (wT). Allometric relationships were satisfied the best when stem diameter at 0.3m height was used as variables. The results may be useful in assessing productivity during the early stages of mangrove reforestation. © 2007 Asian Network for Scientific Information.