Modeling and prediction of volume and aereal biomass of the tree vegetation in a Cerradão Area of Central Brazil

Abstract

This research aims to adjust and select models to quantify the volume of the tree vegetation and its total and compartmental biomass, in a 'cerraddo' (forest savanna), in the municipality of Palmas, Tocantins, Brazil. A forestry inventory,was performed in an area of 10.15ha, divided in sampling plots measuring 400m(2), in which all living and dead standing trees >= 5cm DBH were sampled and identified, with a 20% error margin. The trees were cubed using the Smalian method and 84 of them were weighted. After obtaining the green mass by compartment, samples were removed in order to estimate the dry biomass. Mathematical models were adjusted to estimate total volume/biomass per unit area as well as by compartment. The Schumacher and Hall model was chosen. After processing, the inventory error was within the admissible margin. Volume and total stoked biomass by hectare were 126.71m(3).ha(-1) and 61.67Mg.ha(-1). For the bole and crown compartments the values were 79.23 and 47.17m(3).ha(-1) for volume and 29.70 and 31.98Mg.ha(-1) for biomass. Dead trees summed 6.70% of the volume and 7.00% of the biomass, while leaves contributed with 7.3% of the total biomass. Bark summed 11.50% of the volume and 21.00% of the biomass. Volume and biomass stocks on the studied biome, when compared to others types of 'cerradoes', are higher than those found on savannan formations.

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JANUARY 2017, VOL. 42 Nº 1 0378-1844/14/07/468-08 $ 3.00/0
Introduction
The loss of vegetal cover in
most tropical ecosystems has
been one of the major global
concerns in the past decades,
particularly due to the import-
ant role they play in the glob-
al carbon cycle (Djomo et al.,
2011). One of these ecosys-
tems is the brazilian savanna,
which is still considered one
of the richest and most di-
verse savannas (Mendonça
et al., 2008).
Among the forest forma-
tions of the savanna, there is
the ‘cerradão’ (forest savan-
na), that is usually associated
with areas of interf luve, well-
drained land and deep soils
(Ribeiro and Walter, 2008). In
Brazil, the vast majority of
the studies carried out in ar-
eas of ‘cerradão’ focus on the
characterization of its flora
(composition, richness and
diversity) and vegetation
structure. Studies related to
the production of this phy-
tophysiognomy (‘cerradão’), in
terms of wood volume, bio-
mass and carbon stocks, are
rare. Information regarding
stocks of volume, biomass
and carbon on native vegeta-
tion of different characteris-
tics of the savanna biome is
still scant, considering the
importance of such data to
support vegetation manage-
ment aiming to its sustainable
use and conservation, as well
as for damaged environments
restoration.
According to Rezende et al.
(2006), such lack information
relates to the diversity and
variety among trees of the
same species, and the varia-
tions on stem and crown
shapes of the trees of said bi-
ome. In general, such vegeta-
tion characteristics meke nec-
essary a large amount of tree
samples in order to estimate
biome’s vegetation stocks in
volume and biomass and, con-
sequently, the costs and time
to obtain the data are high.
The stock in logging volume
of a forest can the determined
or estimated from the real
volume of trees individually.
Determining tree’s volume can
be done by cubing, which con-
sists in measuring diameters,
equidistant or not, through the
trunk. The measurement can
be carried out in analytical
(formulas) or graphic (outlin-
ing trunk’s longitudinal pro-
file) form; by water displace-
ment, using the xylometer
method; or by tree weighting
(Machado e Figueiredo Filho,
2006; Soares et al., 2006). Of
all proceedings used to deter-
mine volume, cubing is the
most commonly used on for-
estry inventories.
Another important variable
is the biomass, defined by
Soares et al. (2006) as the
compartment. The Schumacher and Hall model was chosen.
After processing, the inventory error was within the admissi-
ble margin. Volume and total stoked biomass by hectare were
126.71m³·ha-1 and 61.67Mg·ha-1. For the bole and crown com-
partments the values were 79.23 and 47.17m³·ha-1 for volume
and 29.70 and 31.98Mg·ha-1 for biomass. Dead trees summed
6.70% of the volume and 7.00% of the biomass, while leaves
contributed with 7.3% of the total biomass. Bark summed
11.50% of the volume and 21.00% of the biomass. Volume and
biomass stocks on the studied biome, when compared to oth-
ers types of ‘cerradões’, are higher than those found on sa-
vannan formations.
SUMMARY
This research aims to adjust and select models to quanti-
fy the volume of the tree vegetation and its total and com-
partmental biomass, in a ‘cerradão’ (forest savanna), in the
municipality of Palmas, Tocantins, Brazil. A forestry invento-
ry was performed in an area of 10.15ha, divided in sampling
plots measuring 400m2, in which all living and dead standing
trees ≥5cm DBH were sampled and identied, with a 20% er-
ror margin. The trees were cubed using the Smalian meth-
od and 84 of them were weighted. After obtaining the green
mass by compartment, samples were removed in order to es-
timate the dry biomass. Mathematical models were adjusted
to estimate total volume/biomass per unit area as well as by
MODELING AND PREDICTION OF VOLUME AND AEREAL BIOMASS OF
THE TREE VEGETATION IN A CER R ADÃO AREA OF CENTRAL BRAZIL
Eder Pereira Miguel, Alba Valéria Rezende, Reginaldo Sergio Pereira, Gileno Brito de Azevedo,
Fabrícia Conceição Menez Mota, Álvaro Nogueira de Souza and Maísa Santos Joaquim
KEYWORDS / Dry Mass / Forestry Inventory / Mathematical Models / Savanna /
Received: 09/24/2015. Accepted: 11/12/2016.
Eder Pereira Miguel. Forest
Engineer and Master in Forest
Engineering, Universidade Fe-
deral do Paraná (UFPR), Brazil.
Doctor in Forest Sciences,
Universidade de Brasília (UnB),
Brazil. Professor, UnB, Brazil.
Address: Department of Forest
Engineering, University of
Brasília. Brasília, DF, 70910-
900, Brazil. e-mail: edermi-
guel@unb.br
Alba Valéria Rezende. Forest
Engineer and Master in Forest
Sciences, Universidade Federal
de Viçosa (UFV), Brazil.
Doctor in Forest Engineering,
UFPR, Brazil. Professor, UnB,
Brazil. e-mail: albavr@unb.br
Reginaldo Sergio Pereira. Forest
Engineer, Master and Doctor
in Forest Sciences, UFV,
Brazil. Professor, UnB, Brazil.
e-mail: reginaldosp@unb.br
Gileno Brito de Azevedo. Forest
Engineer, Universidade Esta-
dual do Sudoeste da Bahia
Brazil. Master and doctoral
candidate in Forest Sciences,
UnB, Brazil. e-mail: gileno-
ba@hotmail.com
Fabrícia Conceição Menez Mota.
Forest Engineer, Master and
doctoral candidate in Forest
Sciences, UnB, Brazil. e-mail:
fabriciacmm@gmail.com
Álvaro Nogueira de Souza.
Forest Engineer, Master and
Doctor in Forest Engineering,
Universidade Federal de
Lavras, Brazil. Professor, UnB,
Brazil. e-mail: alvarosouza14@
gmail.com
Maísa Santos Joaquim. Forest
Engineer, Master and Doctor
in Forest Sciences, UnB,
Brazil. Professor, UnB, Brazil.
e-mail: maisaunb@gmail.com

22 JANUARY 2017, VOL. 42 Nº 1
MODELAJE Y PREDICCIÓN DEL VOLUMEN Y BIOMASA AÉREA DE LA VEGETACIÓN
ARBÓREA EN UN ÁREA DE CERR ADÃO DEL CENTRO DE BRASIL
Eder Pereira Miguel, Alba Valéria Rezende, Reginaldo Sergio Pereira, Gileno Brito de Azevedo,
Fabrícia Conceição Menez Mota, Álvaro Nogueira de Souza y Maísa Santos Joaquim
delos matemáticos. Se seleccionó el modelo de Schumacher y
Hall. Después de realizar el inventario, el error estuvo den-
tro del valor admitido. El volumen y la biomasa total aérea
almacenados por hectárea fueron 126,71m³·ha-1 y 61,67Mg·h a-1,
respectivamente. Para los compartimientos fuste y copa, los
valores para el volumen fueron 79,23 y 47,17m³·ha-1 y para la
biomasa 29,7 y 31,98Mg·ha-1. Los árboles muertos contribuye-
ron con 6,70% del volumen y 7% de la biomasa; las hojas con
el 7,30% de la biomasa total. La corteza contribuyó con 11,5%
del volumen y 21% de la biomasa. El stock de volumen y bio-
masa encontrado en el área de estudio, comparado con otros
‘cerradões’ y diferentes tipos de vegetación de cerrado, es más
alto que los encontrados en las formaciones de sabana.
RESUMEN
El objetivo de la investigación fue ajustar y seleccionar mo-
delos para cuanticar el volumen y la biomasa total y por
compartimientos, en la vegetación arbórea en ‘cerradão’ (sa-
bana forestal) en el municipio de Palmas, Tocantins, Brasil. Se
realizó un inventario forestal en un área de 10,15ha, mediante
un muestreo sistemático con parcelas de 400m², donde fueron
muestreados e identicados todos los árboles en pie vivos y
muertos con DAP≥5cm, con un error admisible del 20%. Fue-
ron cubicados 84 árboles por el método Smalian y luego pe-
sados. Después de obtener la masa verde por compartimientos
se tomaron muestras del material a n de obtener la biomasa
seca. Para estimar el total de volumen/biomasa por unidad de
área y por compartimientos, se realizó un ajuste de los mo-
MODELAGEM E PREDIÇÃO DO VOLUME E BIOMASSA AÉREA DA VEGETAÇÃO
ARBÓREA EM ÁREA DE CERRADÃO NO BRASIL CENTRAL
Eder Pereira Miguel, Alba Valéria Rezende, Reginaldo Sergio Pereira, Gileno Brito de Azevedo,
Fabrícia Conceição Menez Mota, Álvaro Nogueira de Souza e Maísa Santos Joaquim
Schumacher e Hall foi o selecionado. Quando processado
o erro do inventário cou dentro do admitido. A quantida-
de de volume e biomassa total aéreo estocado por hectares
foram 126,71m³·ha-1 e 61,67Mg·ha-1. Quando analisados pelos
compartimentos fuste e copa, estes valores para o volume foi
79,23 e 47,17m³·ha-1 e 29,70 e 31,98Mg·ha-1 para a biomassa.
As árvores mortas contribuíram com 6,7% do volume e 7%
da biomassa, as folhas com 7,30% da biomassa total. As cas-
cas contribuem com 11,50% do volume e 21,00 % da biomas-
sa. O estoque em volume e biomassa no cerradão estudado,
quando comparado a outros cerradões e distintos tipos de ve-
getação do cerrado, encontra-se superior ao encontrado nas
formações savânicas.
RESUMO
Objetivou-se ajustar e selecionar modelos para quanti-
car o volume e a biomassa total e por compartimento na
vegetação arbórea em um cerradão, no Município de Pal-
mas, Tocantins, Brasil. Foi realizado um inventário orestal
em área de 10,15ha, utilizando amostragem sistemática com
parcelas de 400m², onde foram amostradas e identicadas
todas as árvores vivas e mortas em pé, com DAP≥5cm para
um erro admissível de 20%. Foram cubadas pelo método de
Smalian e posteriormente pesadas 84 árvores. Obtido a mas-
sa verde por compartimentos, foram retiradas amostras do
material visando à obtenção da biomassa seca. Para a esti-
mativa do volume/biomassa total, e por compartimento por
unidade de área ajustou modelos matemáticos. O modelo de
organic matter produced by
area unit, and might be ex-
pressed as dry matter mass.
According to Sanquetta and
Balbinot (2004), forest biomass
might be the total mass exist-
ing in the forest or its tree
fraction.
The biomass stock and the
volume can be determined or
estimated. The volume deter-
mination is done by weighting
the tree, and the estimation can
be obtained from a mathemati-
cal relation, such as ratio or
regression of data from forest
inventories or remote sensing.
The methods applied to obtain
biomass estimates in forest
areas are mostly based, on data
from forest inventories, apply-
ing regression equations that
permit to estimate biomass
from diameter and height data
(Silvei ra, 2010).
Once the equations are de-
termined to predict volume and
biomass of a forest, the relative
improbabilities regarding the
estimates are analyzed only on
the forest inventory sampling.
However, the main error source
on volume and biomass esti-
mates in tropical forests is due
to equation selection (Vieira
et al., 2008).
The goal of the present
study is to adjust and select
models to quantify true volume
and biomass by compartment
and to estimate them on a ‘cer-
radão’ fragment.
Material and Methods
The study was carried out in
a ‘cerradão’ covering 12.15ha
in the municipality of Palmas,
Tocantins State, Brazil, located
between 10 º10’55’’ and 10º11’
20’’S and between 48º10’50’’
and 48º10’30’’W. According to
Embrapa (2011), the local soil
is classified as Dark Red
Oxisoil, non-hydromorphic
with an oxisoil B-horizon. It
presents plain and wavy relief,
and the climate, according to
the Koppen and Geiger (1928)
classification is C2wA’a, with
annual rainfall of 1700mm.
The studied dry soil is char-
acterized as distrophic (Ratter
et al., 1973). There are 1.228
árvores/ha, including standing
trees, dead or alive, with
DBH≥5cm, and the base area
measures 17,34m²·ha-1. The trees
are distributed in 82 species, 60
genders and 34 families. The
predominating families are
Fabaceae, Chrysobalanaceae
and Vochysiaceae, and species
are Myrcia splendens, Emmo-
tum nitens and Qualea parviflo-
ra in an open and drained

23
JANUARY 2017, VOL. 42 Nº 1
lower story, characteristics found
in other ‘cerradões’ in Brazil
(Ratter et al.,1973; Camilotti
et al., 2011).
To develop the inventory, the
fixed area method, and the
sampling process adopted to
estimate volume and biomass
was systemic (Péllico Netto e
Brena, 1997). Using GPSMAP
62S, 54 plots measuring 400m²
(20x20m) each, 40m distant
from each other and summing
2.16ha were sampled. In each
plot, standing living or dead
trees were sampled and identi-
fied, with DBH (at 1,30m
height) ≥5cm. The diameters
were measured using a caliper
and total height (Ht) and bole
(Hf) measuring was performed
using a telescopic rule.
To develop the equations,
the trees measured on the for-
est inventory were distributed
in diameter classes, with a
5cm amplitude, as suggested
in other studies (Marimon-
Junior and Haridasan, 2005;
Camilotti et al., 2011). Su-
mming 11 classes, they were
cubed, weighted and sampled,
representing 3% of the speci-
mens per class on each of the
different compartments (bole
and crown), and totalizing 84
trees of distinct species. The
trees were cut down and bole,
branches and leaves were
separated.
To determine the volume,
the cubing was performed on
compartment sections, due to
the naturally uneven form of
the stems, and the Smalian
formula was adopted (Machado
and Figueiredo Filho, 2006).
The total volume of trees was
obtained from summing bole
and branches sections, and
crown volume.
In order to obtain the bio-
mass, after the rigorous cubing,
the trees were selected and its
different compartments (foli-
age, branches, bole and bark)
weighted. The fresh weight of
each compartment for each tree
was obtained with an electron-
ic balance with a maximum
capacity of 300kg and 0,05kg
sensibility. Sequentially, sam-
ples from different compart-
ments samples were separates,
aiming to obtain dry biomass
from the dry mass/humid mass
relation. For the bole, tree log-
ging samples of 5cm thickness
were collected fromthe base,
the middle and the top of the
bole. The same procedure was
followed with the branches, but
the samples were taken from
each three selected branches:
thick (≥10cm), medium (≥3cm)
and thin (<3cm).
As for the leaf compart-
ments, samples weighting 300g
were composed of leaves from
the bottom, medium and top of
the crown, and were dried in a
greenhouse. After sample sep-
aration, leaves were placed in
plastic bags to avoid water
loss. The samples were weight-
ed using an analytic balance
with a 0.01g sensibility, and
then they were stocked for dry
weight determination.
The samples were taken to
the Logging Technology La-
boratory, Universdade de Bra-
sília, and placed in a green-
house to dry at 103 ±2ºC,
while leaves were dried at 70
±2ºC, until obtaining the con-
stant mass (1% variation)
(Smith, 1954; Rufini et al.,
2010). After drying was com-
pleted, the samples were
weighted again to obtain their
respective dry weights. With
the dry and humid mass values
of each sample, a relation coef-
ficient CR was obtained for
every sampled specie, and it
was possible to estimate the
dry biomass from the product
of this coefficient and the
green biomass obtained (Soares
et al., 2006). The relation coef-
ficient is given by CR= M0%/
Mu, where MU: weight of fresh
sample (g or kg) and M0%:
weight of dry sample (g or kg).
The mathematical models
The mathematical models, lin-
ear or non-linear (Scolforo
et al., 2008), are shown in
Table I. They were adjusted in
order to estimate stocks in vol-
ume and biomass of the trees,
as suggested by Scolforo and
Thiersch (2004). To choose
the best equation, the criteria
adopted was based on tradi-
tional patterns for verifying
adjustment quality: the adjust-
ed determination coefficient
(R2adjusted ), the percentage esti-
mate error pattern (Syx%) and
the residual graphic analysis
(Drapper and Smith, 1981).
After selecting the equations,
a validation test was perfor-
med; to do it, 19 trees that
were not considered on the
equation adjustment were used
and the t test for paired data
was selected (Silveira et al.,
2009). With the equations se-
lected and validated, the stocks
were estimated in volume and
biomass, sampled in the 54
plots of the forest inventory, as
well as the stocks for each
variable per hectare.
Results and Discussion
Table II presents results
from models adjusted for vol-
ume, total biomass and bole
variables, and their respective
precision measurement. All
model adjustements led to sig-
nificance (p<0.05). It is ob-
served that the determination
coefficient (R²adjusted) for the
total volume variable and the
bole variable varied from 0.85
to 0.99. Authors like Scolforo
et al. (2008), Colpini et al.
TABLE II
PARAMETERS AND PRECISION MEASURING ESTIMATES FOR TOTAL VOLUME
AND BIOMASS, AND BOLE, FOR TREES WITH Dhb≥5cm, IN A ‘CERRADÃO’ AREA
Author Model R2adjusted Syxm3Syx%
Spurr (1952) VTcc= 0.000609 + 0.00005121 · Dhb2 · Ht
Vfcc= 0.012289 + 0.0000273 · Dhb · Ht
0.98
0.93
0.035
0.047
23.15
50.28
Schumacher and Hall (1933) VTcc= 0.000085 · Dhb2.122270 · Ht0.666217
Vfcc= 0.0001063 · Dhb1.79116 · Ht0.79 250 9
0.99
0.96
0.023
0.020
15.01
21.45
Husch (1963) VTcc= 0.00029167 · Dbh2. 30125
VFcc= 0.00038316 · Dhb2. 05326
0.97
0.90
0.051
0.054
33.13
57.88
Biomass
Spurr (1952) BTs= 0.949568605 + 0.02777641 · Dbh2 · Ht
BFs= 8.092816617 + 0.00921173 · Dhb ·Ht
0.97
0.90
32.74
21.11
37.74
57.88
Schumacher and Hall (1933) BTs= 0.0123307 · Dhb1.79393 · Ht1.54701
Bfsd= 0.0208857 · Dbh1 .1798 5 · Ht1.3 9106
0.97
0.96
25.52
18.55
27.96
44.96
Husch (1963) BTs= 0.215502 × Dhb2.20 774
Bfs= 0.212952 + Dhb1.9193
0.88
0.81
48.25
26.55
52.60
64.05
VTcc: total volume considering the bark; VFcc: bole volume considering the bark; BTs: total dry biomass;
BFs: bole dry biomass; Ht: total height; Dhb: diameter at breast height
TABLE I
MATHEMATICAL MODELS TO BE ADJUSTED FOR
VOLUME AND BIOMASS ESTIMATES
Author Model
Spurr (1952) Y= b0 + b1Dhb2 · Ht + ε
Schumacher and Hall (1933) Y= b0Dhbb1 · Htb2 · ε
Husch (1963) Y= b0Dhbb1 · ε
Y: volume or biomass, Ht: total height (m), Dhb: diameter at breast
height (cm), β’: coefficient to be adjusted, ε: error associated to the
model.

24 JANUARY 2017, VOL. 42 Nº 1
(2009) and Rufini et al. (2010)
also found similar results while
working with native vegetation
involving volumetric equations,
and found elevated values for
the R2adjusted as well.
Regarding the error margin
of the estimate (Syx%), it was
observed that the values vary
from 15,01% to 65,01%.
Scolforo et al. (2008), while
studding the ‘cerradão’ area in
different regions of Minas
Gerais. Brazil. found values
varying between 18% and
128%, and Rocha (2011), work-
ing in a seasonal deciduous
forest in Goias, Brazil, where
vegetation has similar charac-
teristics to the ‘cerradão’,
found values of 28% and
272%. It was verified that in
order to estimate total volume
and bole volume, the models
presented satisfactory charac-
teristics, except the Husch
model in the case of the bole
volume. However, the best sta-
tistics to obtain total volume
and bole are from the
Schumacher and Hall model.
Regarding the biomass char-
acteristics, it is noted that the
determination coefficient (R2)
varied from 81.91% to 97.20%.
Other works also found similar
R2 values (Vieira et al., 2008;
Rocha, 2011). The Syx% varied
from 27.96% to 64.05%, and
the error was larger than that
registered in the volume equa-
tions, probably due to trees
variety. Scolforo et al., (2008),
studying distinct ‘cerradão’
areas in Minas Gerais, found
Syx% values varying from 16 to
49% for total biomass equa-
tions. However, the adjusted
equations for total biomass and
bole biomass estimates have
the same volume and the best
statistics were obtained using
the Schumacher and Hall
model.
The residual distribution pat-
tern also varied between the
models tested (Figure 1), fol-
lowing the same behavior of
the previous statistics. It can
be seen that the worse residual
distribution are found on the
Husch and Spurr model, while
the Schumacher and Hall mod-
el presented better results for
residual distribution, without
any tendency in the estimates
Figure 1. Total volume, total biomass and bole biomass resulting from the equations adjusted for trees with
Dhb≥5cm, in a ‘cerradão’ area.
for the volume and biomass
variables (total and bole).
By comparing the precision
of the models it is evident that
the Schumacher and Hall model
exceled the others in estimating
the volume and biomass vari-
ables. The model superiority
had been found previously in
other studies performed on the
‘cerradão’ region (Scolforo
et al. 2008) and in different
native forests (Colpini et al.
2009). The validation test was
applied and statistic differences
between volume and biomass
were not significant regarding
what was observed and the ad-
justed equations, at a 95% prob-
ability level, which proves the
reliability of the estimates gen-
erated by the equations.
Tree crown volume and bio-
mass were obtained from the
difference between the estimat-
ed values for volume, total bio-
mass and bole biomass. This
strategy avoids inconsistence
on the results. Sequentially,
values for volume and biomass

25
JANUARY 2017, VOL. 42 Nº 1
(total and bole) per plot were
obtained individually for every
tree by the use of the selected
equations.
Logging volume analysis
It is observed on Table III
that the bole volume of smaller
trees was higher than the
crown volume. When the tree
grows and enters the larger
diameter classes, such relation
reverses; therefore, trees with
greater diameter present great-
er crown volume. The logging
volume percentage on ‘cer-
radão’ trees is greater on the
bole (56%) than on the crown
(44%). Such result corroborates
what was observed by Scolforo
et al. (2008), who stated that
the bole volume varied from 55
to 65%, upon studying ‘cer-
radãos’ in Minas Gerais.
Dry biomass analysis
Table IV shows the values
estimated for total, bole and
crown biomass according to
diameter class. It can be ob-
served that the greater percent-
age (>50%) is found in boles
from trees of the lower diame-
ter class, and the greater the
diameter class, this percentage
is reduced, becoming stable
between 40 and 43%. However,
the average ‘cerradão’ tree
concentrated more biomass on
the crown (52%) than on the
bole (48%). The greater con-
centration of biomass might be
explained by the inclusion of
leaves, which represented
during the studied period 7.3%
of the total biomass. The
leaves percentage changes, de-
pending on the season, since
the ‘cerradão’ presents decidu-
ous characteristics.
From the biomass values by
diameter class, it was possible
to state that in the studied
‘cerradão’, trees beloging to
smaller diameter classes tend
to present a greater biomass
amount on the bark than trees
on higher classes. This ele-
vated bark proportion, especial-
ly on trees with smaller diam-
eter could be due a survival
strategy. Besides the hydric
deficit and high temperatures,
the ‘cerradão’ plants suffer
disturbances caused by fire,
whether caused by human ac-
tion or not, and the thick lay-
ers of barks that can resist or
minimize the damage caused
by the flames, mostly during
the initial years of life or on
smaller species.
Stocks estimates in volume
and biomass per unit area
The stocked volumes and
biomass, for standing trees
with Dhb ≥ 5 cm, dead or
alive, is shown on Table V. It
is noted that the ‘cerradão’
presents an average total vol-
ume, considering the bark, es-
timated in 126.71 ±9.82m³·ha-1.
Around 62% of this volume is
in the bole and 38% in the
crown, and ~11,5% of this vol-
ume belongs to the bark.
Studies regarding the volume
stoked in the crown and bole
of trees and about bark per-
centage of the total volume
indicate differences among the
biomes, between different re-
gions on the same biome and
among individuals of the same
specie (Vieilledent et al., 2010).
On the chaparral biome, for
example, Paula et al. (1993),
while studying a riparian for-
est, estimated the volume of
specimens with Dbh≥5cm to be
170.44m3·ha-1, where tree
trunks represented 87% of the
volume, and the branches 13%.
Another study performed by
TABLE III
AVERAGE VOLUME BY DIAMETER CLASS WITH Dhb≥5cm, IN ‘CERRADÃO’ AREA
Class Dhb (cm) Total volume (m³) Bole volume (m³) % Bole Crown volume % Crown
5⊣10 0.0233 0.0184 79 0.0053 21
10⊣15 0.0602 0.0395 66 0.0206 34
15⊣20 0.1780 0.1163 65 0.0617 35
20⊣25 0.3148 0.1920 61 0.1227 39
25⊣30 0.8001 0.4800 60 0.3200 40
30⊣35 0.8254 0.4682 57 0.3571 43
35⊣40 1.4708 0.7680 52 0.7028 48
40⊣45 1.6889 0.8444 50 0.8444 50
45⊣50 2.0250 0.9517 47 1.0730 53
50⊣55 2.1252 0.9563 45 1.1688 55
55⊣60 2.1355 0.9609 45 1.1745 55
≥ 60 2.14 87 0.9669 45 1.1818 55
Average - - 56 44
TABLA IV
AVERAGE STOCK AND DRY BIOMASS PERCENTAGE PER TREE DIAMETER
CLASS WITH Dhb≥5cm, IN ‘CERRADÃO’ AREA
Class Dhb (cm) Total biomass (kg) Bole biomass (kg) % Bole Crown biomass (kg) % Crown
5⊣10 15.80 9.10 58 6.70 42
10⊣15 41.68 24.03 58 17.65 42
15⊣20 103.45 58.10 56 45.35 44
20⊣25 181.44 88.05 49 93.39 51
25⊣30 362.47 175.9 2 49 186.55 51
30⊣35 378.56 179.68 47 98.88 53
35⊣40 1071.65 461.33 43 610.32 57
40⊣45 1046.69 450.75 43 595.94 57
45⊣50 1075.12 449.25 42 625.87 58
50⊣55 1082.01 471.25 44 610.76 56
55⊣60 1080.10 466.23 43 613.87 57
≥ 60 1070.12 462.23 43 6 07.89 57
Average - - 48 52
TABLE V
PARAMETER ESTIMATORS FOR THE VARIABLES VOLUME (m³·ha-1) AND DRY
BIOMASS (Mg·ha-1) OF TREES (Dhb≥5cm) SAMPLED ON A ‘CERRADÃO’ AREA
Varia ble Area Aver a ge Error % Confidence interval*
Total volume hectare 126.7147 7.75 116.8943 ≤
X
≤ 136.5351
Bole volume hectare 79.2348 8.20 72.7375 ≤
X
≤ 85.7320
Crown volume hectare 47.1464 10.05 42.5916 ≤
X
≤ 52.0957
Total biomass hectare 61.67 8.80 56.73 ≤
X
≤ 66.60
Bole biomass hectare 29.29 8.20 27.53 ≤
X
≤ 32.13
Crown biomass hectare 31.98 12.20 28.08 ≤
X
≤ 35.88
* Probability level 95%.

26 JANUARY 2017, VOL. 42 Nº 1
Paula et al. (1998), in a chap-
arral area in Maranhao, Brazil,
estimated a total volume of
40.50m3·ha-1 for specimens with
Dbh≥5cm; of this volume,
~66% was stocked in trunks
and 34% in branches. In a
study performed in ‘cerradão’
areas in Minas Gerais (Morais
et al., 2013) the proportion ob-
tained was that ~40% of the
logging material could be
found in the bole and 60% in
the crown. The authors report-
ed an average volume of
117.00m³·ha-1 for the region. It
is observed that the relations
between bole and crown vol-
umes found by these research-
ers corroborate the results pre-
sented on this study.
Rufini et al. (2010), while
studying ‘cerradão’ vegetation
in Minas Gerais, in tree regions
on the São Francisco River,
verified that from 48.3 to
54.9% of the tree total volume
is stocked on the bole. Besides,
the bark percentage relation to
the total tree volume varied
from 10% to 21.9%.
The average total biomass
stoked per hectare, considering
standing trees, dead or alive,
with Dbh≥5cm, was estimated
in 61.67 ±5.43Mg. However,
7.30% of this biomass is from
the leaves and, therefore, the
total biomass value can in-
crease or decrease according
to some species conditions in
the ‘cerradão’. Besides, the
average contribution of the
bark on the total production of
dry biomass is around 21%,
but when analyzing each com-
partment separately, it was
found that 24% of the crown
biomass corresponds to bark
and the bole is 17%; in other
words, the greater percentage
is stoked on the crown.
It is important to emphasize
that dead trees are important
part of the volume production
(6,70%) and biomass (7.00%) of
the ‘cerradão’. Sanquetta et al.
(2002) performed a study in a
Chilean forest and estimated the
biomass stock in 558.30Mg·ha-1.
According to these authors, the
dead trees contributed to 5% of
the total biomass. Amaro et al.
(2013) estimated as 227Mg·ha-1
the logging biomass stock in a
seasonal forest located in Minas
Gerais and verified that the
dead trees contributed to 3.50%
of the biomass total value.
Figure 2 presents the distri-
bution of the total volume
(m3·ha-1) and total biomass
(kg·ha-1), per diameter class, of
the ‘cerradão’ tree community,
considering the contribution of
each tree compartment, the
bole and the crown. It can be
observed that the greater pro-
ductions in volume and bio-
mass are concentrated on the
tree population with diameter
from 10 to 25cm, equal to
what was observed for the
entire tree community of the
‘cerradão’. The greater stocks
in volume and dry biomass of
the trees that belong to differ-
ent diameter classes are con-
centrated, in great part, re-
spectively, on the bole and on
the crown.
Figure 3 shows the relation
of the variables volume, dry
biomass and number of trees
per hectare to the diameter
classes. It can be noted that the
first diameter class (5-10cm)
more than 50% is concentrated
on the tree amount on the ‘cer-
radão’, while there is no corre-
spondence with production, ei-
ther in volume and dry bio-
mass. The results show that the
stocked production in volume
and dry biomass stocked in the
first diameter class represents
~12% of the stocked total.
It is highlighted that, the
third diameter class (Figure 3)
represents less than 13% of the
number of trees per per hect-
are, but its population is re-
sponsible for the largest stocks
in volume and biomass.
Therefore, is can be asserted
that, even with lower densities,
the greater diameter classes
concentrate, proportionally,
greater productions in volume
and biomass.
Conclusions
The equations obtained with
the Schumacher and Hall
model to estimate volume and
biomass (total and bole) pre-
sented better statistics, which
makes it the most appropriate
model to estimate volume and
biomass in ‘cerradão’ areas in
Tocantins, Brazil.
The volume and total stoked
biomass by hectare were
126.71m³·ha-1 and 61.67Mg·ha-1.
When analyzed by bole and
crown the values were 79.23
and 47.17m³·h a -1 for volume,
and 29.70 and 31.98Mg·ha-1 for
biomass.
The standing dead trees con-
tribute 6.70% of the volume and
7.00% of the dry biomass. From
the total volume stocked per
hectare, ~60% is in the bole
and 40% in the crown, while
~48% of the total dry biomass
stocks are concentrated in the
Figure 3. Distribution of volume (m3·ha-1), dry biomass (Mg·ha-1) and number of trees per Dhb class, in a
‘cerradão’ area.
Figure 2. Tree community production regarding volume (m3·ha-1) and dry biomass (Mg·ha-1) per diameter
class, in a ‘cerradão’ area.

27
JANUARY 2017, VOL. 42 Nº 1
bole and 52% in the crown.
The leaves sum ~7,3% of the
area total biomass. Barks con-
tributes 11.5% of the total
volume and 21% of the total
biomass. In addition, the bio-
mass percentage is greater in
the crown (24%) than in the
bole (17%).
The volume and biomass
stock in the studied ‘cer-
radão’ area, when compared
to other areas with different
types of vegetation, is superi-
or to what is found on savan-
na formations.
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