Biomass estimations in forests of different disturbance history in the Atlantic Forest of Rio de Janeiro,Brazil |
| |
| Authors: | André Lindner Dietmar Sattler |
| |
| Institution: | (1) Department of Systematic Botany and Functional Biodiversity, Institute for Biology I, University of Leipzig, Johannisallee 21-23, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;(2) Department of Physical Geography and Geo-Ecology, Institute for Geography, University of Leipzig, Johannisallee 19, 04103 Leipzig, Germany |
| |
| Abstract: | Tropical forests are large reservoirs of biomass and there is a need for information on existing carbon stocks in these ecosystems
and especially the effects of logging on these stocks. Reliable estimates of aboveground biomass stocks within the Atlantic
Forest are rarely available. Past human disturbance is an important factor affecting forest structure variation and biomass
accumulation among tropical forest ecosystems. To support the efforts of improving the quality of estimations of the current
and future biomass carbon storage capacity of this disturbed forest region we tested a non-experimental small scale approach
to compare the aboveground tree biomass (AGB) of forest sites. Three sites with known disturbance histories have been investigated:
complete cut down, selective logging and conservation since 70 years. The woody plant community (dbh ≥ 10 cm) was censused
and canopy openness in conjunction with leaf area index has been obtained by hemispherical photographs at each site. Estimates
of aboveground tree biomass have been carried out using an allometric equation for moist tropical forests already applied
for the study area. Additionally, a FAO standard equation has been employed for crosschecking our results. We identified significant
differences in recent AGB of the three compared forest sites. With 313 (±48 Mg ha−1) the highest AGB-values have been found in the preserved forest area within a National Park, followed by 297 (±83) Mg ha−1 at the former clear cut site. Lowest AGB has been calculated for the area with past selective logging: 204 (±38) Mg ha−1. Values calculated with the FAO standard equation showed the same trend but at a lower AGB level. Our results based an a
small scale approach suggest that biomass productivity can recover in a forest which was completely cleared 60 years ago to
reach AGB values up to a level that almost represents the situation in a preserved forest. Selective logging may slow down
AGB accumulation and the effect is measurable after several decades. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
| 本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录！ |
|
