Site-specific height-diameter allometry of Central African moist forests

In this study we aimed to identify the variation in height-diameter allometry between forest types and among species in Central African moist forests. We also examined the consequences on biomass estimation. Two forest sites in southern Cameroon with contrasting levels of deciduousness. Height and diameter were measured for a total of 521 trees belonging to 12 timber species over a large range of diameter, 10-240 cm for the Ma’an site and 11-182 cm for the Mindourou site. Non-destructive height measurements were calibrated with destructive measurements for a total of 60 trees, 30 in each site. Commercial forest inventory data (n=7253 0.5ha plots) were gathered for the Ma’an (n=34 samples and 2101 plots) and Mindourou (n=117 samples and 5152 plots) sites. A total of ten allometric models (including asymptotic and non-asymptotic models) were fitted to the height-diameter data at species (n=12) and site (n=2) level. Biomass estimates were computed based on forest inventory data and general allometric models using both site-specific and published height-diameter equations. Given the strong correlation between the non-destructive and destructive height measurements we had confidence in using the non-destructive height measurements to establish site- and species-specific height-diameter allometric equations. The height measurements performed over a wide range of diameters, 10-240 cm, tended to support an asymptotic shape (and most often the Michaelis Menten model) for the height-diameter allometry either at species and site level. We identified a significant difference in height-diameter allometry between the two study sites. For a given diameter, trees tended to be taller in the more semi-deciduous Mindourou site than in the more evergreen Ma’an site, with a maximum height of 39.5 and 46.5 m, respectively. The two sites significantly differed in stand structure and biomass. This difference is due to the variation in height-diameter allometry. Height-diameter allometry strongly varies between sites and site-specific height-diameter allometric equations should be developed to further improve the estimation of biomass and carbon stock contained in tropical forests.