Allometric Equations for the Biomass Prediction in Azadirachta indica Plantations in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Case Study from Cameroon

Abstract

This study took place in the Far North region of Cameroon. It aimed at developing and standardizing a specific allometric equation to neem Agroforets in Sub-Saharan Africa. A sample of twenty (20) individuals of Azadirachta indica was cut over all the diameter classes, located between 5 and 105 cm. The dbh and height were measured. Biomass of the compartments of leaves, branches and trunks were determined after drying and weighing. Different allometric equations between biomass and two tree parameters (diameter and height) were tested. The adjusted coefficients of determination (R2aj), the residual standard error (RSE) and the Akaike information criterion (AIC) were used to choose the best models. The main results show that there is a positive and significant relationship between the height of trees and diameter (R2 = 0.98; n = 20 and p ? 0.05). The best model for the prediction of the total Above Ground Biomass (AGB) in Azadirachta indica plantations is AGB = e^{(- 0.456 + 1.673 x ln (DBH))} with a coefficient of determination adjusted at 0.72.