Height-diameter allometry and above ground biomass in tropical montane forests: Insights from the Albertine Rift in Africa

African tropical montane forests exhibit significant variation in height-diameter allometry with altitude, which introduces substantial biases if regional models are used to estimate above-ground biomass (AGB). A study across Kahuzi-Biega National Park in the Albertine Rift revealed that while AGB ranged from 168 to 290 Mg ha⁻¹ without significant differences between forest types, tree size decreased and stem density increased with altitude. The research highlights that different height-diameter allometric models perform better for distinct forest types, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches in future studies. Soil attributes, particularly potassium levels and acidity, also significantly influenced AGB, underscoring the complex interplay of structural, taxonomic, and environmental factors in shaping biomass dynamics.

Imani, G., Boyemba, F., Lewis, S., Nabahungu, N. L., Calders, K., Zapfack, L., Riera, B., Balegamire, C., & Cuni-Sanchez, A. (2017). Height-diameter allometry and above ground biomass in tropical montane forests: Insights from the Albertine Rift in Africa. Plos One, 12(6), e0179653. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0179653