Determinants and correlates of above-ground biomass in a secondary hillside rainforest in Central Vietnam
Details
Serval ID
serval:BIB_6B8EBEFEE54C
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Determinants and correlates of above-ground biomass in a secondary hillside rainforest in Central Vietnam
Journal
New Forests
ISSN
0169-4286 (Print)
1573-5095 (Online)
1573-5095 (Online)
Publication state
Published
Issued date
31/01/2018
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Pages
NA
Language
english
Abstract
Despite inception of carbon-conservation forestry programs, information about total above-ground woody biomass (TAGB) in Vietnamese secondary lowland rainforests is still scarce. We elucidated major factors influencing local variation of TAGB within an anthropogenically modified hillside forest in Thừa Thiên-Huế Province. On forty 400 m2 sized plots all tree species were recorded, and their biomass was calculated using allometric equations. In addition, bio-physical parameters relating to terrain and soils were measured. Effects of bio-physical variables on forest TAGB were assessed using multivariate regression methods. Forest TAGB (average 117 Mg ha−1) was primarily explained by forest structural variables, i.e. tree densities and average heights, in particular presence of large trees. TAGB was largely determined by the biomass of a few species which dominated different forest parts (ridges or hill base); TAGB was hardly influenced by species diversity. Many dominant trees were light-demanding species; these were characterised by scarce rejuvenation and high tree mortality. Bio-physical patterns indicated that previous logging impacts persisted and continued to influence seedling establishment, sapling growth/survival, and—ultimately—species composition. Nutrient patterns were mostly explained by interactions with certain tree species and tree foliage cover, as modulated by terrain and logging impacts. Development trajectories of TAGB over the next 10–20 years could not be predicted easily since (1) many functionally important late-succession species (e.g. dipterocarps) were very scarce; (2) the sizes of initially established light-demanding species appeared to meet limits, including increasing tree mortality; and (3) rejuvenation and species succession differed locally and proceeded along largely unpredictable pathways. Some suggestions for further research are made.
Keywords
Second-growth evergreen monsoon forest, Above-ground woody biomass, Forest regeneration, Environmental gradients, Soil nutrient patterns, Multivariate analysis
Create date
05/02/2018 15:00
Last modification date
20/08/2019 14:25