Aboveground Biomass and Carbon in a South African Mistbelt Forest and the Relationships with Tree Species Diversity and Forest Structures

What is it about?

This study provides information on stand biomass and carbon stocks in Mistbelt forests in South Africa. Multi-species biomass equations were developed based on predictors such as trunk diameter, tree height and wood density. The study points out the unknown role of Mistbelt forests in mitigation of climate change, and also emphasizes the role of its biodiversity in maintaining carbon storage.

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Why is it important?

The study is important because ground-based measurements for accurate estimation of biomass and carbon are very few in Africa, and this work contributes to fill this gap. In a context of increasing conflicts between land uses in a landscape, the results on the potential of carbon storage are crucial to support the management decision at a landscape scale.