Abstract:
In Africa, information on time required for plants to develop from seed to mean size and maximum
size is scarce. There is also a lack of information regarding accurate relationships between
stem diameter, height and canopy dimensions. This type of information is however becoming a
real necessity to allow the accurate measurement of carbon stocks and carbon stocks change to
qualify for the UNFCCC’s REDD+ mechanism. We evaluated these parameters for 22 Sand Forest
and woodland tree species of South Africa’s Maputaland. Results indicated that it takes approximately
66 and 35 years for current dynamics of Sand Forests and woodlands to occur respectively.
Based on diameter and growth rates, larger trees of the forests can be older than 600 years, while
large woodland trees can reach ages of 900 years. Our evaluation of linear relationships between
stem diameter, height and canopy dimensions showed extremely robust results allowing the use
of stem diameter to calculate height and canopy dimensions. The results are of interest for carbon
related investigations and reconstructing stands dynamics.
