Estimation of biomass and carbon storage of moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens Mazel ex Houz.) in southern China using a diameter–age bivariate distribution model

Carbon storage estimation for fast-growing bamboos remains limited because of its wide distribution and spatial variation. This study estimates biomass production and carbon storage of a moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens Mazel ex Houz.) forest in southern China. A diameter–age bivariate distribution model based on the Weibull distribution function and a single bamboo biomass estimation model based on diameter and age were used to predict the biomass and carbon storage. The parameters of the two models were obtained on the basis of the observation data. Results showed that moso bamboo biomass varied with age and diameter at breast height (DBH). The corresponding estimated biomass and carbon storage in the study area were 88.23 and 40.45 Mg ha−1, respectively. One-sixth of older culms from the entire stand were removed by selective cutting, and the annual yields of biomass and carbon were 14.07 and 6.74 Mg ha−1, respectively. The moso bamboo forest has higher carbon sequestration capacity than Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook.) forest, tropical mountain rain forest, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) forest and oriental oak (Quercus variabilis Bl.). The present model could be used well to estimate accurately the biomass carbon of moso bamboo at regional scale in southern China.