Distribution of biomass within small tree and shrub form Quercus gambelii stands.

Abstract

Gambel oak occupies c3.5 million ha in the states of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. It is becoming recognized as an important fuelwood resource. Biomass components of eight Gambel oak small tree and shrub form stands (clones) were sampled in Utah. Stem densities ranged from 5000-34 000 per ha of clone. Mean stem diameters varied from 36-117 mm. Live stems averaged 4992 g including dead branches, while standing dead stems averaged 1347 g. Live biomass per occupied hectare averaged 124 388 kg including 40 702 kg of bole. The ratio of aboveground to belowground live biomasses was unusually low (44.56). Total aboveground and belowground biomass including detritus was 184 292 kg per hectare of clone.-from Authors