Allometric Models to Estimate Aboveground Biomass of Individual Trees of Eucalyptus saligna Sm in Young Plantations in Ecuador

(1) Background: Nature-based solutions (NbS), particularly through forest biomass, are crucial in mitigating climate change. While forest plantations play a critical role in carbon capture, the absence of species-specific biomass estimation models presents a significant challenge. This research focuses on developing allometric models to accurately estimate the aboveground biomass of Eucalyptus saligna Sm in Ecuador’s Lower Montane thorny steppe. (2) Methods: Conducted at the Tunshi Experimental Station of ESPOCH in Chimborazo, Ecuador, the research involved 46 trees to formulate biomass predictive models using both destructive and non-destructive methods. Sixteen generic models were tested using the ordinary least squares method. (3) Results: The most effective allometric equation for estimating six-year-old E. saligna biomass was Ln(B) = −0.952 + 1.97∗Ln(dbh), where B = biomass in kg/tree, and dbh = diameter at breast height in cm. This model represents a valuable contribution to improve biomass and carbon estimates in mitigation projects in Ecuador. (4) Conclusions: The tested models stand out for their simplicity, requiring only dbh as input, and demonstrate high accuracy and fit to contribute to the field of climate change mitigation.

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Publication Details

Journal
International Journal of Plant Biology
Published
2025-03-24
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijpb16020039
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Forest ecology and management
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
2.31
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article

Allometric Models to Estimate Aboveground Biomass of Individual Trees of Eucalyptus saligna Sm in Young Plantations in Ecuador

José Fernando Esparza Parra, Milena Segura, Hernán J. Andrade, Roy Vera-Vélez et al.
1 citations
International Journal of Plant Biology
Forest ecology and management
2.31
article

Allometric Models to Estimate Aboveground Biomass of Individual Trees of Eucalyptus saligna Sm in Young Plantations in Ecuador

José Fernando Esparza Parra, Milena Segura, Hernán J. Andrade, Roy Vera-Vélez, Jorge Eduardo Grijalva Olmedo, Raúl Armando Ramos Veintimilla, Pedro Panama-Perugachi
article en
1 citations

Abstract

(1) Background: Nature-based solutions (NbS), particularly through forest biomass, are crucial in mitigating climate change. While forest plantations play a critical role in carbon capture, the absence of species-specific biomass estimation models presents a significant challenge. This research focuses on developing allometric models to accurately estimate the aboveground biomass of Eucalyptus saligna Sm in Ecuador’s Lower Montane thorny steppe. (2) Methods: Conducted at the Tunshi Experimental Station of ESPOCH in Chimborazo, Ecuador, the research involved 46 trees to formulate biomass predictive models using both destructive and non-destructive methods. Sixteen generic models were tested using the ordinary least squares method. (3) Results: The most effective allometric equation for estimating six-year-old E. saligna biomass was Ln(B) = −0.952 + 1.97∗Ln(dbh), where B = biomass in kg/tree, and dbh = diameter at breast height in cm. This model represents a valuable contribution to improve biomass and carbon estimates in mitigation projects in Ecuador. (4) Conclusions: The tested models stand out for their simplicity, requiring only dbh as input, and demonstrate high accuracy and fit to contribute to the field of climate change mitigation.

International Journal of Plant BiologyVol. 16(2)
Central University of Ecuador (EC), University of Tolima (CO), University of Saskatchewan (CA), Universidad de Otavalo (EC), Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté (FR), Escuela Superior Politécnica del Chimborazo (EC)
Openalex Percentile: Top 16%
Forest ecology and management
2.31
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