Biomass prediction models for Colophospermum Mopane (Mopane) in Botswana

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dc.contributor.advisorBredenkamp, Brian Victoren_ZA
dc.contributor.authorMutakela, Patrick Silisheboen_ZA
dc.contributor.otherUniversity of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Agrisciences. Dept. of Forest and Wood Science.
dc.date.accessioned2009-03-03T07:56:14Zen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2010-06-01T08:41:59Z
dc.date.available2009-03-03T07:56:14Zen_ZA
dc.date.available2010-06-01T08:41:59Z
dc.date.issued2009-03en_ZA
dc.descriptionThesis (MFor (Forest and Wood Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.en_ZA
dc.description.abstractThe aim of this study was to develop biomass prediction models for the determination of total aboveground biomass for mopane at three (3) study sites in Botswana. Thereafter, based on the pooled data from the three (3) study sites, recommend one cross-site biomass prediction model that could be used for the indirect estimation of the total aboveground biomass for mopane in Botswana. All the data were collected by destructive sampling from three (3) study sites in Botswana. Stratified random sampling was based on the stem diameter at breast height (1.3 m from the ground). A total of 30 sample trees at each study site were measured, felled and weighed. The 30 sample trees were distributed equally between six DBH classes (Five sample trees per DBH class). Thereafter, using the data from these sample trees, site-specific biomass prediction models for the indirect estimation of total aboveground biomass for mopane were developed as a function of the following independent variables: stem diameter at 0.15 m from the ground; stem diameter at 1.3 m from the ground; stem diameter at 3 m from the ground; crown diameter; and total tree height. The data from the sites were pooled together to develop cross-site biomass prediction models as a function of the given independent variables. The biomass prediction model that provided the best fit at Serule was a linear equation estimated by means of the stem diameter at 1.3 m, while in Sexaxa the biomass prediction model that provided the best fit was estimated by means of the stem diameter at 0.15 m. The biomass prediction model that provided the best fit at the Tamacha site was estimated by means of the stem diameter at 1.3 m. On the basis of the collected data, cross-site biomass prediction models were developed. The cross-site biomass prediction model that provided the best fit was developed from the stem diameter at 1.3 m. This relationship was adopted as the prediction model for the indirect biomass estimation of Colophospermum mopane (mopane) in Botswana.en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/2167
dc.language.isoenen_ZA
dc.publisherStellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
dc.rights.holderUniversity of Stellenbosch
dc.subjectDissertations -- Forest and wood scienceen
dc.subjectTheses -- Forest and wood scienceen
dc.subject.lcshMopane tree -- Botswanaen_ZA
dc.subject.lcshForest biomass -- Botswana -- Mathematical modelsen_ZA
dc.titleBiomass prediction models for Colophospermum Mopane (Mopane) in Botswanaen_ZA
dc.typeThesisen_ZA
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