Species-Specific Allometric Models for Biomass and Carbon Stock Estimation in Silver Oak (Grevillea robusta) Plantation Forests in Thailand: A Pilot-Scale Destructive Study

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Authors: Yannawut Uttaruk, Teerawong Laosuwan, Satith Sangpradid, Jay H. Samek, Chetpong Butthep, Tanutdech Rotjanakusol, Siritorn Dumrongsukit, Yongyut Rouylarp
Cited by: 4
References: 24

Abstract

Accurate biomass and carbon estimation in tropical plantation forests requires species-specific allometric models. Silver Oak (Grevillea robusta A. Cunn. ex R. Br.), cultivar “AVAONE,” is widely planted in northeastern Thailand, yet locally calibrated equations remain limited. This study developed species- and site-specific allometric models using destructive sampling of eight trees (n = 8) aged 2–9 years from a single plantation in Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, without independent validation. Each tree was separated into stem, branches, leaves, and roots to determine fresh and dry biomass, and carbon concentrations were measured using a LECO CHN628 analyzer in an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratory. Aboveground biomass increased from 17.49 kg at age 2 to 860.42 kg at age 9, with the most rapid gains occurring between ages 6 and 9. Tree height stabilized at approximately 19–20 m after age 7, while diameter continued to increase. Stems accounted for the largest proportion of dry biomass, followed by branches and roots. Carbon concentrations ranged from 45.561% to 48.704%, close to the IPCC default value of 47%. Power-law models based on D2H showed clear relationships with biomass, with R2 values ranging from 0.7365 to 0.9372 for individual components and 0.8409 for aboveground biomass. These locally derived equations provide preliminary, site-specific relationships for estimating biomass and carbon stocks in Silver Oak AVAONE plantations and offer a baseline for future studies with expanded sampling and independent validation.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Forest ecology and management Plant Water Relations and Carbon Dynamics Remote Sensing and LiDAR Applications

Publication details

Journal / source
Forests
Publisher
MDPI AG
Volume
17
Issue
1
Pages
100–100
Publication date
12 January 2026
Language
EN