New Biomass Estimation Model for Secondary Forests in East Halmahera

Image: article cover, from Mujahidah et al. (2020), Jurnal Wasian, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

A research team from the Department of Forest Management, Faculty of Forestry and Environment, Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB), has developed a tree biomass estimation model for secondary forests in East Halmahera, North Maluku. The study, published in Jurnal Wasian, was carried out because such models remain scarce for secondary forests in eastern Indonesia, even though biomass estimation is needed to support reductions in carbon dioxide emissions through increased forest carbon stocks.

The team measured 18 mixed-species trees with diameters ranging from 5.4 to 36.9 cm. The results show that the biomass of mixed-species trees at the site can be estimated accurately using a model that incorporates diameter, height and wood density as variables. This local model proved more accurate than other models commonly used to estimate tropical forest biomass. Where wood density data are unavailable, an alternative model using only tree diameter and height can also be applied.

For communities and forest managers in North Maluku, this model offers a more precise way to calculate how much carbon is stored in the secondary forests around them. Secondary forests are forests that regrow after disturbance, and their role in absorbing carbon is often overlooked. The model from this study adds a further calculation tool for secondary forests in eastern Indonesia, which have so far relied more often on models developed for other regions.

Source and how to cite

This story is based on the research article Allometric Models for Estimating Tree Biomass of Dryland Secondary Forest in East Halmahera by Mujahidah Sylviari Zaenal Mujahidah, Tatang Tiryana Tatang and Muhdin Muhdin Muhdin, published in Jurnal Wasian Vol. 7 No. 2 (2020). The full article is free to read on the Jurnal Wasian website.

Cite the original article (APA 7):

Mujahidah, M. S. Z., Tatang, T. T., & Muhdin, M. M. (2020). Allometric Models for Estimating Tree Biomass of Dryland Secondary Forest in East Halmahera. Jurnal Wasian, 7(2), 87–101. https://doi.org/10.62142/4789vz68

If you use these findings in coursework, a thesis or other writing, cite the original article above, not this news story. The original article is licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.