ALLOMETRIC EQUATIONS AND EXPANSION FACTORS FOR TROPICAL DRY TREES OF EASTERN SINALOA, MEXICO

Abstract

This research report aimed at estimating: (i) bole volume equations, (ii) aboveground biomass component equations, and (iii) biomass expansion factors, BEF, for aboveground biomass components for tropical dry trees of eastern Sinaloa, Mexico. Field work included measuring dasometric features, dissecting and fresh-weighting trees into biomass components, and collecting samples for ovendry weight measurements. Bole volume and biomass component equations fitted an inventory data set to estimate biomass expansion factors at the plot scale. Results show bole volume and biomass component equations. Mean biomass expansion factors (± standard deviation) reported are 0.7854 (0.111), 0.873 (0.055) and 1.460 (0.022) for branches, bole and total aboveground biomass, respectively. Biomass expansion factors are dependent on mean stand dbh and they do not distribute normally. Therefore the Weibull distribution was fitted to biomass expansion figures.