Woody detritus density and density reduction factors for tree species in the United States: a synthesis

Abstract

This report presents a synthesis of published and unpublished data on woody detritus density as a step toward improving estimates of coarse woody detritus (CWD) and fine woody detritus (FWD) biomass across the forests of the United States. In the case of CWD, 88 species were found to have data on densities for five decay classes that had been published and/or collected in North America. For FWD, about 25 species had been sampled. We determined that by sampling representative species within a genus, the uncertainty of CWD estimates could be reduced by up to 50 percent over not having sampled a genus. Our analysis indicated that the uncertainty of FWD mass estimation ranged from 12 to 19 percent when FWD relative density was estimated.

Citation

Harmon, Mark E.; Woodall, Christopher W.; Fasth, Becky; Sexton, Jay. 2008. Woody detritus density and density reduction factors for tree species in the United States: a synthesis. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-29. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 84 p.