Abstract

ARISTIZABAL, Javier Darío. DEVELOPING ABOVE-GROUND BIOMASS MODELS FOR COFFEE (Coffea arabica L.) SHADE TREES VIA SIMULATED DATA. rev.udcaactual.divulg.cient. [online]. 2011, vol.14, n.1, pp.49-56. ISSN 0123-4226.

SUMMARY Allometric models have been a valuable tool for predicting biomass growth of several tree species, however, such models have only been constructed for a few of them. Developing allometric models for other tree species implies certain complexities from the logistic, operational and cost based point of view. This research proposes the development of a generic allometric model through simulated data generated from allometric equations constructed from real field data that could be used for forecasting biomass growth of tree species usually planted as shade for coffee or other crops. Likewise, an allometric model for coffee bushes, following same procedure was made. In case of shade trees, the generic allometric equation was based on volumetric data of fourteen tree species. Results from models for both shade trees and coffee brushes show a conservative, coherent performance in comparison with real field data which allows its application in order to predict the components of biomass.

Keywords : Model; allometric; biomass; shade trees; agroforestry.

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