Comparison of the reference unit method and dimensional analysis methods for two large shrubby species in the caatinga woodlands

The reference unit technique was compared with the dimensional analysis approach for estimating large shrub foliage biomass in Northeast Brazil. The techniques were tested on coppicing jurema (Mimosa acutistipula Benth.) and pau branco (Auxemma oncocalyx [Fr. Alem.] Taub.). Both methods provided goo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of range management 1985-09, Vol.38 (5), p.425-428
Main Authors: Kirmse, R.D, Norton, B.E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analytical estimating
auxemma oncocalyx
BIOMASA
BIOMASS
BIOMASS DETERMINATION
BIOMASSE
Branches
BRASIL
BRAZIL
BRESIL
CANOPY
Coefficients
COUVERT
CUBIERTA VEGETAL
DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
Estimation methods
EXPLOITATION DES HERBAGES
FOLIAGE AREA
GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT
Leaves
MANEJO DE PRADERAS
MIMOSA
mimosa acutistipula
Plants
Range Assessment
SEMI-ARID ZONES
Shrubs
Test plants
WOODLAND GRASSLANDS
WOODY PLANTS
ZONA SEMIARIDA
ZONE SEMI-ARIDE
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Summary:The reference unit technique was compared with the dimensional analysis approach for estimating large shrub foliage biomass in Northeast Brazil. The techniques were tested on coppicing jurema (Mimosa acutistipula Benth.) and pau branco (Auxemma oncocalyx [Fr. Alem.] Taub.). Both methods provided good estimates of foliage weight. The coefficients of determination for the reference unit approach ranged from .890 to .985. The r2values obtained in applying the dimensional analysis method were .937 and .948. Improvements in estimates with the reference unit method were obtained when (1) a branch unit of 19% of total plant foliage was used versus a unit of only 7%, (2) the branch unit resembled the appearance of the branching of the plant being estimated, and (3) estimations of 3 judges were averaged.
ISSN:0022-409X
2162-2728
DOI:10.2307/3899714