Biomass estimation in trees can either be direct/destructive or indirect/use of allometric equation. Just curious, which one yield accurate biomass estimates? Biomass can be partitioned into aboveground biomass (AGB) and belowground biomass (BGB). There are well-established equations used in estimation of BGB. In some instances. shoot: root ratio is used. Between the two which one is more accurate in BGB determination?
The most accurate method is to excavate all of the below-ground biomass (BGB), dry it and weigh it. But tree diameter at breast height (DBH) is a good proxy and in one case explained 98% of the variation in BGB (DOI: 10.1186/s13021-015-0027-4). Another method, airborne laser, explained 85% of variability (Remote Sensing of Environment 112 (2008) 3079–3090).
My papers on productivity-decomposition (see my contributions) used excavation of roots, especially in the top 30 cm of substrate, which is where most BGB resides :-)
Fully excavation is measurement while other methods are estimation. The most accurate one is obviously weighting the excavated roots which is directly measurement of root biomass.
Check this out, Agevi
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwifrdDThqjQAhXFM48KHQXiBXsQFggfMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Flink.springer.com%2Fchapter%2F10.1007%252F978-1-4020-6547-7_11&usg=AFQjCNEmpJb2XYLpVh6lYnBcNjhFSlF-5w
