Equations for Estimating Above-Ground Phytomass in the Understory of Appalachian Oak Forests

Regression equations were developed for estimating total aboveground phytomass for 17 tree and shrub species in the understory of second growth Appalachian oak forest stands in southwest Virginia. All possible combinations of three functional forms of the equation and three independent variables, singly and in combination, were tested. The linear model, with stem basal area as the independent variable, provided the best fit to the data for 15 of the 17 species. The exceptions were the blueberries (vaccinium stamineum and v. vacillans), where crown area performed better than basal area as the independent variable.