The Relationship Between Diameter at Breast Height, Height, And Crown Volume of Teak Plantations in Ghana:Implications for Biomass Carbon Stock Estimation
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Date
2025-09
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UENR
Abstract
Plantation forests are essential in mitigating climate change due to their high carbon sequestration
and biomass accumulation potential. Tectona grandis (Teak) is a widely cultivated, fast-growing
hardwood in Ghana, valued for its economic benefits, role in afforestation, biodiversity
conservation, and contribution to national carbon accounting. However, accurate biomass and
carbon estimation in Ghanaian Teak plantations remains limited by reliance on generalized
allometric models developed under different ecological conditions, leading to potential errors in
carbon assessments. This study aimed to improve understanding of allometric relationships
between diameter at breast height (DBH), total height, and crown volume across Teak age classes
(5, 10, 15, and 25 years). It also examined the influence of field-measured versus allometrically
estimated heights on carbon stocks and evaluated Teak’s carbon sequestration potential. Data were
collected in Form Ghana Limited plantations in Ghana using simple random sampling design,
with measurements of DBH, height, and crown dimensions. Biomass and carbon stocks were
derived using published allometric equations for Teak. Regression and one-sample T-tests was
done to assessed the conformity to geometric and elastic similarity theories.
Findings showed a strong DBH – height relationship but DBH – crown volume showed weak and
inconsistent relationships with crown volume. highlighting the influence of competition and light
availability on crown and DBH development. Carbon accumulation peaked at 15 years, followed
by 25, 10, and 5 years. Field Measured height-based estimates were consistently higher than
model-derived height values. The study recommends age-specific, locally calibrated allometric
equations and the integration of direct crown measurements or remote sensing tools like LiDAR
to improve carbon estimation precision.
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Keywords
Plantations, Teaks, Allometric equations