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Shrub biomass estimation in the semiarid Chaco forest: a contribution to the quantification of an underrated carbon stock

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Abstract

Context

The quantification of biomass of woody plants is at the basis of calculations of forest biomass and carbon stocks. Although there are well-developed allometric models for trees, they do not apply well to shrubs, and shrub-specific allometric models are scarce. There is therefore a need for a standardized methodology to quantify biomass and carbon stocks in open forests and woodlands.

Aims

To develop species-specific biomass estimation models for common shrubs, as well as a multispecies shrub model, for the subtropical semiarid Chaco forest of central Argentina.

Methods

Eight shrub species (Acacia aroma, Acacia gilliesii, Aloysia gratissima, Capparis atamisquea, Celtis ehrenbergiana, Larrea divaricata, Mimozyganthus carinatus, and Moya spinosa) were selected, and, on average, 30 individuals per species were harvested. Their total individual dry biomass was related with morphometric variables using regression analysis.

Results

Crown area as well as crown-shaped variables proved to be the variables with the best performance for both species-specific and multispecies shrub models. These allometric variables are thus recommended for standardized shrub biomass assessments.

Conclusion

By accounting for the shrub component of the vegetation, our models provide a way to improve the quantification of biomass and carbon in semiarid open forest and woodlands.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to C. Rodriguez, G. Bertone, P. Jaureguiberry, and M. Bonino for their valuable field assistance during the development of this work.

Funding

This study was funded by FONCyT, CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, and the DiverSus programme through Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) CRN 2015 and SGP-CRA2015, which were supported by the US National Science Foundation grants GEO-0452325 and GEO-1138881. GC and LE student grants are from CONICET and Fundación Bunge y Born.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal (IMBIV-CONICET) and Departamento de Diversidad Biológica y Ecología, FCEFyN, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Vélez Sársfield 1611, CC 495, X5000ZAA, Córdoba, Argentina

    Georgina Conti, Lucas Enrico & Sandra Díaz

  2. Biometric Unit, CATIE 7170, Turrialba, 30501, Costa Rica

    Fernando Casanoves

Authors
  1. Georgina Conti
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  2. Lucas Enrico
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  3. Fernando Casanoves
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  4. Sandra Díaz
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Correspondence to Georgina Conti.

Additional information

Handling Editor: Shuqing Zhao

Contribution of the co-authors

Georgina Conti conducted sampling design, field work, and data analysis and wrote the manuscript. Lucas Enrico participated in field work and in writing the manuscript. Fernando Casanoves helped in data analysis and manuscript revision. Sandra Díaz coordinated the research project and participated in writing the manuscript.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

ESM 1

Scientific, common as well as synonyms for the scientific names of the shrub species considered. (PDF 93 kb)

ESM 2

Calculations of the crown-shaped variables used to test the size–biomass relationship of shrub species. (PDF 665 kb)

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Conti, G., Enrico, L., Casanoves, F. et al. Shrub biomass estimation in the semiarid Chaco forest: a contribution to the quantification of an underrated carbon stock. Annals of Forest Science 70, 515–524 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13595-013-0285-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13595-013-0285-9

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