Biomass and Production Patterns of Three Dominant Tree Species along a Girth Series in a Natural Tropical Forest at Chakia, Varanasi (India)

Abstract

This paper deals with pattern of biomass, net primary production and relative growth rate of three dominant species (Shorea robusta, Madhuca indica and Buchanania lanzan) along a tree girth or age series within tropical dry deciduous forest. Total tree biomass for the species ranged between 651475.0 kg per tree for a corresponding range of 15-95 cm gbh (girth at breast height). Bole and branches accounted for 90.95% of total above-ground biomass. Roots showed 13.37% of the total tree biomass. Logarithmic regression equations relating tree components and total tree biomass to gbh were quite satisfactory. Mean annual production and current annual production increased with age for all three species. In each species leaves accounted for the largest proportion of the cumulative production during the life time of the tree. The largest proportion of biomass resided in the hole. Relative growth rate showed a decreasing trend with increase in age or gbh of a tree.