Allometric equations based on a fractal branching model for estimating aboveground biomass of four native tree species in the Philippines

Abstract

Fractal branching models can provide a non-destructive and generic tool for estimating tree shoot and root length and biomass, but field validation is rarely described in the literature. We compared estimates of above ground tree biomass for four indigenous tree used on farm in the Philippines based on the WanFBA model tree architecture with data from destructive sampling. Allometric equations for the four species varied in the constant (biomass at virtual stem diameter 1) and power of the scaling rule (b in Y = aDb), deviating from the value of 8/3 that is claimed to be universal. Allometric equations for aboveground biomass were 0.035 D2.87 for Shorea contorta, 0.133 D2.36 for Vitex parviflora, 0.063 D2.54 for Pterocarpus indicus and 0.065 D2.28 for Artocarpus heterophyllus, respectively. Allometric equations for branch biomass had a higher b factor than those for total biomass (except in Artocarpus); allometric equations for the leave ? twig fraction a lower b. The performance of the WanFBA model was significantly improved by introduction of a tapering factor''s'' for decrease of branch diameter within a single link. All statistical tests performed on measured biomass versus biomass predicted from the WanFBA results confirm the viability of the WanFBA model as a non-destructive tool for predicting above-ground biomass equations for total biomass, branch biomass and the leaf ? twig fraction