Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) may lead to a significant increase in the amount of carbon sequestered by forests, contributing greatly to national and international efforts to combat climate change. To better plan and report on REDD+ actions, participating countries are required to monitor and report on their carbon inventories. Therefore, the selection of methods for estimating biomass stocks and carbon storage is critical to the effectiveness of REDD+.

Use of allometric equations

Tree biomass, volume and carbon stocks can be estimated using various methods, however, the use of allometric models is considered the most common one. Although some general pan-continental or pan-tropical equations exist, forestry departments across the world often prefer to use local allometric models that are more tailored to their conditions. Consequently, there is a large body of scientific work dealing specifically with local tree allometric models. However, many of these models are not easily accessible.

In order to provide free and easy access to allometric models, in 2013, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) launched GlobAllomeTree, a web-based platform designed to improve global access to tree allometric equations and support forest and climate-change project developers, researchers, scientists and foresters to assess forest volume and biomass, and carbon stocks. Jointly developed by FAO, the French Research Centre CIRAD and Tuscia University of Italy, the GlobAllomeTree platform provides a consistent and harmonised database of tree and stand volume and biomass allometric equations; software to compare equations and assess variables of interests, such as volume, biomass and carbon stocks; access to scientific research information on allometric equations; and access to tutorials, manuals and documentation supporting the development and use of tree allometric equations.

Continue reading at: https://www.unredd.net/announcements-and-news/2935-updated-globallometree-ready-to-support-south-asian-countries.html

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