ESTIMATION OF VOLUME, BIOMASS AND CARBON CONTENT IN A FOREST OF TEMPERATE-COLD CLIMATE OF DURANGO, MEXICO

Abstract

The information on the volume and biomass of trees is important to determine carbon sequestration in forests. The objective of this study was to estimate the volume, biomass and carbon content of tree species in a forest of Durango, Mexico. Nine 50 x 50 m sampling sites were established and a census of all tree species was conducted. For each of the sampled trees, the species was recorded and the normal diameter and total height were measured. For each species, its volume and total biomass were determined using allometric equations generated by different authors. To determine the carbon content, the value of the biomass was multiplied by the factor 0.5, since according to results of several authors, this value represents the average concentration of carbon for conifers and broadleaf species. In total, 11 species, belonging to four families and four genera were recorded. The forest has a density of 575 trees ha(-1), a total volume of 207.36 m(3) ha (-1)and a total concentration of biomass of 130.28 Mg ha(-1). Regarding carbon, a total of 65.14 Mg ha(-1) was estimated. The species with the highest volume, biomass and accumulated carbon were Pinus durangensis, P. cooperi and Quercus sideroxyla. The basal area is the best indicator variable of carbon content in the studied area.