Allometric equations and biomass expansion factors of Japanese red pine on the local level

This study was conducted to evaluate site-specific allometric equations and biomass expansion factors (BEF) of Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora S. et Z.) at five sites in the Hadong, Hamyang, Jinju, Sancheong, and Uiryeong regions, situated in the western part of Gyeongnam province, Korea. Biomass in each tree component, i.e., needle, branch, stem wood, and stem bark, was quantified by destructive tree harvesting. Site-specific as well as generalized allometric equations were developed for each tree component across the entire sites. Both allometric regression equations were significant (P < 0.05), with diameter at breast height (DBH) accounting for 69-99% of the variation (as indicated by coefficients of determination, r (2)) in aboveground biomass. The stem densities at different sites were significantly different (P < 0.05) from each other, but no significant difference was observed for stem bark density. The aboveground BEFs also showed a significant variation (P < 0.05) at a landscape scale and ranged from 1.19 to 1.46 among the sites. The results suggest that application of site-specific allometric equations and aboveground BEFs are likely to improve the reliability of biomass estimates on the local level.