Allometric models for aboveground biomass of six common subtropical shrubs and small trees

The aboveground biomass (AGB) of shrubs and small trees is the main component for the productivity and carbon storage of understory vegetation in subtropical secondary forests. However, few allometric models exist to accurately evaluate understory biomass. To estimate the AGB of five common shrub (diameter at base < 5 cm, < 5 m high) and one small tree species (< 8 m high, trees's seedling), 206 individuals were harvested and species-specific and multi-species allometric models developed based on four predictors, height (H), stem diameter (D), crown area (Ca), and wood density (rho). As expected, the six species possessed greater biomass in their stems compared with branches, with the lowest biomass in the leaves. Species-specific allometric models that employed stem diameter and the combined variables of (DH)-H-2 and rho DH as predictors accurately estimated the components and total AGB, with R-2 values from 0.602 and 0.971. A multi-species shrub allometric model revealed that wood density x diameter x height (rho DH) was the best predictor, with R-2 values ranging from between 0.81 and 0.89 for the components and total AGB, respectively. These results indicated that height (H) and diameter (D) were effective predictors for the models to estimate the AGB of the six species, and the introduction of wood density (rho) improved their accuracy. The optimal models selected in this study could be applied to estimate the biomass of shrubs and small trees in subtropical regions.