Stem volume and above ground biomass models for Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) in Iceland

Abstract

The prediction of tree biomass and stem volume is necessary for monitoring and assessing of national forest biomass, carbon stock and sustainable forest management. Such predictions of biomass or carbon stocks are generated by using either allometric models or applying biomass expansion factors (BEFs), where the former is a better method. Volume models are generated by using allometric models. The data for development of the new volume and biomass models for Iceland presented in this paper were collected between years 2000-2021, from 48 locations in even aged stands that were planted between 1942-1983. Because of the young age of forest plantations in Iceland, existing biomass and volume models need to be updated regularly as trees get older and larger. The new models use the same independent variables as the previous ones for Iceland but use a wider approach and have a different form than the older ones. Using the previous Icelandic models outside their data range results in underestimation for both aboveground biomass and stem volume.