Aboveground biomass and carbon stock of Buho (Schizostachyum lumampao (Blanco) Merrill) in Cuyambay, Tanay, Rizal

Abstract

This study aimed to quantify the aboveground biomass and carbon stock of Buho (Schizostachyum lumampao) in Cuyambay, Tanay, Rizal, Philippines, and develop allometric equations for predicting aboveground biomass. Ten plots (5 m x 5 m) in an elevation ranging from 419-460 meters above sea level (masl) that contained one group of clumping bamboos were randomly established. Three culms were harvested from each clump for a total of thirty culms. The Buho in Sitio Tablon had a mean height (H) of 8.37 m, diameter at breast height (DBH) of 6.46 cm and thickness at breast height (TBH) of 6.05 mm. The mean aboveground biomass and carbon stock densities were 74.19 ton∙ha^–1 and 31.35 ton∙ha^–1, respectively. The culm had the highest contribution to aboveground biomass and carbon stock density, followed by the branches, then the leaves. These results demonstrate the potential of Buho to store atmospheric carbon at a level comparable to that of other tree plantation species. Allometric regression revealed that 70.0% of the variance in culm biomass can be explained by DBH²H.