Appendix 5 - Table 5.4 Default values of biomass expansion factors (BEFs)

(BEF to be used in connection with growing stock biomass data)

Source: IPCC Good Practice Guidance for LULUCF – Table 3A.1.10

Climatic zone

Forest type

Minimum dbh (cm)

BEF (overbark)
to be used in connection to growing stock biomass data

Boreal

Conifers

0-8.0

1.35 (1.15-3.8)

Broadleaf

0-8.0

1.3 (1.15-4.2)

Temperate

Conifers:

Spruce-fir

0-12.5

1.3 (1.15-4.2)

Pines

0-12.5

1.3 (1.15-3.4)

Broadleaf

0-12.5

1.4 (1.15-3.2)

Tropical

Pines

10.0

1.3 (1.2-4.0)

Broadleaf

10.0

3.4 (2.0-9.0)

Note: BEFs given here represent averages for average growing stock or age, the upper limit of the range represents young forests or forests with low growing stock; lower limits of the range approximate mature forests or those with high growing stock. The values apply to growing stock biomass (dry weight) including bark and for given minimum diameter at breast height; Minimum top diameters and treatment of branches is unspecified. Result is above-ground tree biomass.

Sources: Isaev et al., 1993; Brown, 1997; Brown and Schroeder, 1999; Schoene, 1999; ECE/FAO TBFRA, 2000; Lowe et al., 2000; please also refer to FRA Working Paper 68 and 69 for average values for developing countries ( http://www.fao.org/forestry/index.jsp )

Climatic zone	Forest type	Minimum dbh (cm)	BEF (overbark) to be used in connection to growing stock biomass data
Boreal	Conifers	0-8.0	1.35 (1.15-3.8)
Boreal	Broadleaf	0-8.0	1.3 (1.15-4.2)
Temperate	Conifers: Spruce-fir	0-12.5	1.3 (1.15-4.2)
	Pines	0-12.5	1.3 (1.15-3.4)
	Broadleaf	0-12.5	1.4 (1.15-3.2)
Tropical	Pines	10.0	1.3 (1.2-4.0)
Tropical	Broadleaf	10.0	3.4 (2.0-9.0)
Note: BEFs given here represent averages for average growing stock or age, the upper limit of the range represents young forests or forests with low growing stock; lower limits of the range approximate mature forests or those with high growing stock. The values apply to growing stock biomass (dry weight) including bark and for given minimum diameter at breast height; Minimum top diameters and treatment of branches is unspecified. Result is above-ground tree biomass. Sources: Isaev et al., 1993; Brown, 1997; Brown and Schroeder, 1999; Schoene, 1999; ECE/FAO TBFRA, 2000; Lowe et al., 2000; please also refer to FRA Working Paper 68 and 69 for average values for developing countries ( http://www.fao.org/forestry/index.jsp )