Feasibility of estimating total stem volume and aboveground biomass from measurement on the largest trees in even-aged pure stands

Feasibility was tested of estimating the total stem volume and aboveground biomass from data of only the largest trees in even-aged pure stands. We applied a method of fitting a size-distribution function to data that exclude information of smaller individuals in a stand and compared the predicted stem volume and aboveground biomass with those calculated with data of all living trees in the stand. The paired t test showed that the predicted values of the total stem volume and aboveground biomass were not different (p = 0.05) from those observed even if only the largest 10% of the trees were used for estimation with the –3/2 power distribution. Results were similar with the beta-type distribution; however, data from at least the largest 30% of the trees in the stand must be included. Absolute values of the relative error of the predicted total stem volume or aboveground biomass were generally in the range 10–20%, indicating that the present method is accurate enough to be used for calculation of these variables. However, there is systematic bias in the predictions of the total stem volume and aboveground biomass of a stand. Possible causes of the indicated biases and potential ways for improvement of the predictions were discussed.