Estimation of Biomass and Carbon Stock of Bamboo Species through Development of Allometric Equations

Bamboo is a major commodity which helps in bringing both tangible and intangible benefits such as biodiversity conservation, soil and water conservation, carbon sink, food and handicraft etc. especially in North-East India. It forms an important component in the traditional agroforestry system. It differs from timber species because of its anatomical features and its growth pattern. This necessitates modelling its growth by destructive sampling and developing predictive models for biomass on the basis diameter at breast height (DBH) and height.

This research report has comprehended an inclusive approach by developing allometric equations for five bamboo species (Bambusa tulda, Dendrocalamus hamiltonii, Dendrocalamus longispathus, Melocanna baccifera, Schizostachyum dullooa) to measure biomass and carbon stock from culm. The developed equations will be helpful for estimation of biomass in the similar physiographic and climatic region for all the five bamboo species.