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Grass allometry and estimation of above‐ground biomass in tropical alpine tussock grasslands
Author(s) -
Oliveras Immaculada,
Eynden Maarten,
Malhi Yadvinder,
Cahuaelson,
Menor Carlos,
Zamora Flor,
Haugaasen Torbjørn
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
austral ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.688
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1442-9993
pISSN - 1442-9985
DOI - 10.1111/aec.12098
Subject(s) - tussock , allometry , biomass (ecology) , grassland , altitude (triangle) , basal area , tree allometry , ecology , ecosystem , environmental science , crown (dentistry) , biology , mathematics , biomass partitioning , medicine , geometry , dentistry
The puna/páramo grasslands span across the highest altitudes of the tropical A ndes, and their ecosystem dynamics are still poorly understood. In this study we examined the above‐ground biomass and developed species specific and multispecies power‐law allometric equations for four tussock grass species in P eruvian high altitude grasslands, considering maximum height (h max ), elliptical crown area and elliptical basal area. Although these predictors are commonly used among allometric literature, they have not previously been used for estimating puna grassland biomass. Total above‐ground biomass was estimated to be of 6.7 ± 0.2 M g ha −1 (3.35 ± 0.1 M g C ha −1 ). All allometric relationships fitted to similar power‐law models, with basal area and crown area as the most influential predictors, although the fit improved when tussock maximum height was included in the model. Multispecies allometries gave better fits than the other species‐specific equations, but the best equation should be used depending on the species composition of the target grassland. These allometric equations provide an useful approach for measuring above‐ground biomass and productivity in high‐altitude A ndean grasslands, where destructive sampling can be challenging and difficult because of the remoteness of the area. These equations can be also applicable for establishing above‐ground reference levels before the adoption of carbon compensation mechanisms or grassland management policies, as well as for measuring the impact of land use changes in A ndean ecosystems.