Full Length Research Paper

Predicting the above-ground biomass of calabrian pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) stands in Turkey

Ali Durkaya*, Birsen Durkaya and Alpaslan Ünsal

Bartın University, Faculty of Forestry, 74100 Bartin, Turkey.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: alidurkaya@hotmail.com. Tel: +90.378.2277422. Fax: +90.378.2277421.

Accepted 23 January, 2009

Biomass equations are presented for calabrian pine stands within the Adana-Karaisalı Regional Forestry Management Area. Thirty three sample plots, each of 0.04 ha, were chosen in order to define the biomass equations of calabrian pine, the most common needle leave species in Turkey. A tree which is the most similar to mean tree according to basal area was cut in each sample area as a sample tree. Various models were tested, utilizing the diameter (d) and the height (h) as independent variables and the most suitable models were determined.  Using these models, above-ground biomass amounts can easily be acquired for single trees and stands.

Key words: Above-ground biomass, calabrian pine, biomass equations.