Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Above-ground biomass is the total mass of living plants, excluding roots, above the soil surface in a given area. It includes stems, leaves, bark, and reproductive structures.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Above-ground biomass is a crucial indicator of ecosystem productivity and carbon storage.
It plays an essential role in nutrient cycling and habitat structure within ecosystems.
Measurement techniques include direct harvesting, remote sensing, and allometric equations.
Forests typically have higher above-ground biomass compared to grasslands or shrublands due to tree density and size.
Changes in above-ground biomass can indicate ecological disturbances such as deforestation or climate change impacts.
Review Questions
Related terms
Below-ground Biomass: The total mass of living plant material found below the soil surface, including roots and rhizomes.
Carbon Sequestration: The process by which carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere and stored in vegetation, soils, or oceans.
Allometric Equations: Mathematical formulas used to estimate plant biomass based on easily measured attributes like tree diameter or height.