Evaluating a non-destructive method for calibrating tree biomass equations derived from tree branching architecture

Functional branch analysis (FBA) is a promising
non-destructive alternative to the standard destructive
method of tree biomass equation development. In FBA, a
theoretical model of tree branching architecture is calibrated
with measurements of tree stems and branches to
estimate the coefficients of the biomass equation. In this
study, species-specific and mixed-species tree biomass
equations were derived from destructive sampling of trees
in Western Kenya and compared to tree biomass equations
derived non-destructively from FBA. The results indicated
that the non-destructive FBA method can produce biomass
equations that are similar to, but less accurate than, those
derived from standard methods. FBA biomass prediction
bias was attributed to the fact that real trees diverged from
fractal branching architecture due to highly variable
length–diameter relationships of stems and branches and
inaccurate scaling relationships for the lengths of tree
crowns and trunks assumed under the FBA model.