Development of site-specific allometric equation and predicting aboveground biomass of natural and plantation forests of Oxytenathera abyssinica (A. Rich.) Munro, Northwestern Ethiopia

Abstract

Bamboo is an ideal plant for commercial production due to its rapid growth rate, high biomass production, low cost of production and environmental friendliness. Although Ethiopia has the highest bamboo cover in Africa, allometric equations for estimating its biomass are scarce. Most allometric models developed to date have been largely concerned with trees and shrubs. The objective of this study was to generate species- and site-specific allometric models that could be used to estimate the total aboveground dry biomass and culm dry biomass of lowland bamboo in northwest Ethiopia. Three power form-based allometric models were created using diameter at breast height (DBH) and culm height (H) as independent variables. One hundred and eight Oxytenathera abyssinica culms were used to predict the total aboveground biomass and culm biomass. Model one (M1) was the best model to predict the culm and total aboveground biomass of the species, regardless of forest type. The allometric models may provide useful information about aboveground biomass and culm biomass estimation methods to forestry professionals, bamboo producers and other stakeholders, and could help in the calculation of the country’s contribution to global carbon sequestration and trade. • Oxytenathera abyssinica has a considerable carbon stock per hectare under comparable conditions with other tree species. • A total of 15,500 and 17,700 O. abyssinica culms ha −1 in plantations and natural forests, respectively, were recorded, which is high as compared with other studies. • Bamboo management is necessary to enhance lowland bamboo biomass and carbon storage. • Plantation stands of O. abyssinica have the highest biomass of any natural stand. • The greatest percentage of biomass comprises the culms.