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Using nonlinear mixed model and dummy variable model approaches to develop origin-based individual tree biomass equations

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Based on above- and below-ground biomass measurements from 604 and 212 sample trees respectively, aboveground biomass models for different origins didn’t have significant difference while belowground biomass models did.

Abstract

Based on the measurement data of aboveground biomass from 604 sample trees and belowground biomass from 212 sample trees of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) and Masson pine (Pinus massoniana) in southern China, the individual tree above- and below-ground biomass models involving forest origin were developed using nonlinear mixed model and dummy variable model approaches, and the effect of forest origin on biomass models was analyzed. The results showed that the aboveground biomass models for different origins had no significant difference, while the belowground biomass models were significantly different; and the belowground biomass estimate of a natural tree was highly greater than that of a planted tree with the same diameter and height. Specially, the belowground biomass estimates of natural trees were nearly 30 % and about 45 % greater than those of planted trees for Chinese fir and Masson pine, respectively. The mean prediction errors of aboveground biomass models and belowground biomass models developed in this study were less than 5 % and 15 %, respectively, which meant the biomass models could be applied to estimate forest biomass of the two species at large scale.

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Author contribution statement

The author made substantial contributions to conception and design, model development, and analysis and discussion of results; and drafted the manuscript and gave final approval of the version to be submitted and any revised version.

Acknowledgments

The author acknowledges the Forest Biomass Modeling Project of the National Forest Inventory and Monitoring Program (No: 2030208), which was funded by the State Forestry Administration of China, for providing biomass mensuration data of C. lanceolata and P. massoniana, and thanks the project staff of East China Forest Inventory and Planning Institute and Central South Forest Inventory and Planning Institute for biomass data collection.

Conflict of interest

The author declares that he has no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Forest Resource Management, State Forestry Administration, Beijing, 100714, China

    Wei-Sheng Zeng

  2. Academy of Forest Inventory and Planning, State Forestry Administration, Beijing, 100714, China

    Wei-Sheng Zeng

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  1. Wei-Sheng Zeng
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Correspondence to Wei-Sheng Zeng.

Additional information

Communicated by R. Matyssek.

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Zeng, WS. Using nonlinear mixed model and dummy variable model approaches to develop origin-based individual tree biomass equations. Trees 29, 275–283 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-014-1112-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-014-1112-0

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