If you have the data of ultimate analysis (C, H, O composition), you can derive a chemical formula for the said biomass type. Further, you can use the proximate analysis data to subtract volatiles, and you will be left with carbon content.

It is initial dry biomass minus residue after organic material has been removed. There is no set formula and you need to work it out for each species :)

I agree with the message above me. But I think there are subbtle changes which you need to calculate and I think there are empirical. I wish I can give more information, I would like somone to agree.

Hi Nhlanhla,

I can inform you about a study performed by Chinese scientists, which gives you the variation of carbon content in different plants and plant organs., you can find this overview paper at:

https://bg.copernicus.org/articles/15/693/2018/bg-15-693-2018.pdf

It allows you to make the best choice of carbon content versus biomass for herbaceous grasslands like some of the African Savanna's. I added the paper of the link above as well.

Best of success with your study,

Frank

Frank Veroustraete thank you soo much, I will have a look at it.

Thank you to everyone.

I can't give you a specific formula for herbaceous plants but I advise you if you're working directly in situ to take a sample of the species you study and take his dry mass, to burn it and take a the proportion of carbon after analysing ash... I think this way Kan give you a very close value of carbon in your study. But ask confirmation around you..

50% of the biomass or Estimate through CHN analyzer

The thumb rule is 50% biomass is carbon