Treedom – methodology for estimating tree carbon storage
2021–2022 · Treedom · University of Milan · Final report – Carbon Sink study – University of Milan for Treedom (5 October 2022) · Treedom allometric-equation database – 180 species, 210 equations and associated metadata
The project developed and updated the scientific basis used to estimate tree biomass, carbon storage and CO₂ uptake across Treedom projects in different regions of the world. The first activity consisted of a scientific-literature review to collect, select and harmonize available allometric equations for the species used in Treedom projects. The final database contains 180 species and 210 equations: 37 species- and site-specific equations, 114 species-specific but non-site-specific equations, 25 equations derived from similar species and 34 general equations. Equations were standardized to estimate total above- and below-ground biomass from available dendrometric variables.
The work harmonized diameter, height, wood density, root-to-shoot ratios, biomass expansion factors and taper functions, reducing inconsistencies among published formulations. For each equation, where available, the database records species, country and calibration site, sample size, statistical accuracy, geographic coordinates, wood density and climatic variables. This makes it possible to distinguish the reliability of estimates depending on whether a site-specific, species-specific or general equation is available. A second project component developed a general allometric equation integrating diameter, height, wood density, temperature and precipitation.
Related research lines: Forest carbon, climate mitigation and bioeconomy · Monitoring, remote sensing and forest modelling