Estimation of the above-ground biomass of Pinus cembroides Zucc. and Pinus halepensis Mill. in Saltillo, Coahuila

Abstract

The Allometric models to estimate biomass, carbon and carbon dioxide, are of great importance in forest modeling, for these it is possible to quantify the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions. The objective of present study was to adjust an allometric models for biomass aboveground estimation in a plantation of Pinus cembroides and P. halepensis. The aboveground was estimated with the indirect method (Adelaide Method) with a sample of 50 trees by species. The study was made in two areas: Cuauhtémoc and El Recreo, of Saltillo, Coahuila. For each biomass component of leaves-branches, stem and total six models were adjusted, using independent variables of diameter and height, selecting the best model according to the adjusted determination coefficient (_adjR²), standard error (Syx) and the significance of the regression parameters. The results indicated that the diameter adequately estimates the biomass by component of P. cembroides (_adjR² average of 0.86), for P. halepensis the biomass is estimated with diameter and height (_adjR² of 0.79 on average). The indirect method is a good estimator of aboveground biomass in both species, the best adjustments of models can be used to quantify carbon storage and carbon dioxide in the region.