Dry weight estimation of the aboveground components of Melaleuca quinquenervia trees in southern Florida

Allometric equations were derived and dry weight distribution was determine d for aboveground components (total wood, trunk, branch, leaf, seed capsule . seed) of Melaleuca quinquenervia trees in south Florida. Aboveground tree components of 42, 36, and 50 trees, harvested from dry, seasonally flooded , and permanently flooded habitats, respectively, were separated, sorted, s ub-sampled. dried to constant weight at 70 degreesC. and weighed. The effec ts of diameter at breast height (dbh) on dry weight of the aboveground comp onents were significant. Predictive allometric equations were derived for e ach component using dbh and/or dbh(2) x tht (total tree height) as predicto rs. Based on R-2 values the accuracy of the equations for biomass predictio n are ranked as, total wood>trunk>branch>leaf>seed capsule>seed. Diameter a t breast height alone was a good predictor of dry weight of the aboveground components of trees. When dbh was combined with total tree height, R-2 imp roved somewhat for all components except for seed capsules and seeds. Propo rtions of the dry weight of total wood and branch increased, but trunk and leaf decreased as dbh increased. Wood constituted the greatest proportion ( 83-96%) across the dbh range (0.1-38.6 cm) in all three habitats. Leaves an d seed capsules represented a greater proportion of dry weight in permanent ly hooded habitats (leaves, 10-13%; seed capsules, 3-4%) than in both dry a nd seasonally flooded habitats (leaves, 4-12%. seed capsules. up to 2%). Ov erall leaf proportion decreased as dbh increased. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.