Individual carbon estimation for Araucaria angustifolia

Abstract

Forests are important carbon sinks that contribute to climate change mitigation. Quantifying the carbon stock is critical for measuring such mitigation potential. Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Ktze. Araucariaceae is a key forest species in southern Brazil, due to its ecological and economic importance. This study aimed at comparing two procedures for estimating individual carbon stock (C) of A. angustifolia, in pure stands established in the southern Paraná State, Brazil. Individual carbon stocks were determined for thirty trees, as well as correlations between C, dendometric variables, Biomass Expansion Factor (BEF) and Root-to-Shoot Ratio (R). Regression equations of C, concerning Diameter Breast Height (DBH) and total height (H), were adjusted and compared to trunk volume (V) estimates combined with BEF and R. DBH and H showed high correlation to C, what did not happen to tree age, BEF and R. The regression equations of C, concerning DBH and H, adjusted well to the data set, providing reliable estimates. The same happened to the volume equations combined with expansion factors, which also provided statistically acceptable estimates. No difference was observed between the two procedures tested, being both reliable for estimating the individual carbon stock.