Above-ground biomass and carbon stock equations for Crimean pine stands in Kastamonu region of Turkey

Abstract

For above-ground biomass and carbon stock estimations, the most common single- and double-entry allometric equations were fitted for Crimean pine (Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold subsp. pallasiana (Lamb.) Holmboe) stands in Kastamonu region, northwestern Turkey. The data were obtained from 227 sample trees in 192 sample plots that represent different stand structures and topographic features. Following the fittings, the best models were selected for each component (i.e., stemwood, stembark, branch and needles) and above-ground total biomass and carbon stock estimations. The selected models for aboveground biomass and carbon stock accounted more than 86% of the total variance for each component and 98% for the above-ground total, with low root mean square errors (RMSE). These models also provided biologically realistic estimates.