Rates of Biomass Accumulation of North Carolina Piedmont Forests

摘要

Recent work by Sharp et al. on the primary production of North Carolina vegetation has suggested that the average natural forest in North Carolina is unproductive relative to its potential as intensively managed forest, the difference being roughly 300%. This variation could be attributable to patterns of forest recovery after disturbance, to management practices, or even to species composition. These and other alternative hypotheses need to be tested in a careful and objective manner. The primary objectives of the present research project were twofold: (1) to use dimension analysis methods to develop a set of regression equations useful for evaluating the productivity (rate of solar energy fixation) and biomass (stored energy) of North Carolina piedmont forests; (2) to use the resulting equations to document patterns in and rates of change of forest production and biomass during forest recovery from disturbance. The first objective was divided into two component parts. First, the regression equations were developed. Second, the caloric content of trees was studied so as to allow conversion from biomass units (Kg/m exp 2 ) to energy units (Kcal/m exp 2 ). Section 2 of this report outlines the dimension analysis procedure, presents the resulting equations, and explains their use. The portion of the project assessing the caloric content of trees is presented in Section 3. The results of our second objective, the examination of changes in forest biomass and production, are presented in Section 4. (ERA citation 06:018263)