# Miombo mixed-species AGB from DBH, Bayesian (Model 1)

Aboveground biomass equation for 33 miombo woodland tree species, Malawi, from Kuyah et al. 2016. 88 trees, DBH 5.1–105 cm. Listed on Tree Allometrics, a free library of tree allometric equations, each quoted from the source that published it.

## Equation

As printed in Kuyah et al. 2016 (Table 4 caption):

> AGB = 0.102 * DBH2.242 (Model 1)

Cite: https://treeallometry.org/equations/kuyah-2016-model1-bayes/#equation

In this library's units, ready to compute (aboveground biomass in kg):

```
Aboveground biomass = exp(-2.284 + 2.3 * ln(D))
```

Inputs: D = Diameter at breast height (1.3 m) (cm).
The source's own form: exp(-2.284 + 2.3 * ln(DBH)), with DBH in cm; output in kg.
Cite: https://treeallometry.org/equations/kuyah-2016-model1-bayes/#canonical

## What it covers

- Output: Aboveground biomass, kg
- Taxon: 33 miombo woodland tree species (mixed species); mixed
- Where: Kasungu, Salima and Neno districts, Malawi. Cite: https://treeallometry.org/equations/kuyah-2016-model1-bayes/#where
- Biomes: tropical, dryland
- Stand: mixed
- Trees measured: 88. Cite: https://treeallometry.org/equations/kuyah-2016-model1-bayes/#n_trees
- DBH range: 5.1–105 cm. Cite: https://treeallometry.org/equations/kuyah-2016-model1-bayes/#dbh
- Method: Hierarchical Bayesian power-law regression (trees nested within sites). Cite: https://treeallometry.org/equations/kuyah-2016-model1-bayes/#method
- Verification: read in the original source
- Last checked: 2026-11-02. Cite: https://treeallometry.org/equations/kuyah-2016-model1-bayes/#checked_at

A missing fit statistic is one the source doesn't state, or that we haven't recorded; it is never estimated. Outside the stated DBH range or region, the equation is an extrapolation.

## Source

Kuyah, S., Sileshi, G. W., & Rosenstock, T. S. (2016). Allometric Models Based on Bayesian Frameworks Give Better Estimates of Aboveground Biomass in the Miombo Woodlands. Forests, 7(2), 13.

- DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/f7020013
- Access: open access
- Copy we read: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/7/2/13/htm
- Every equation from this source: https://treeallometry.org/sources/kuyah-2016/
- Cite: https://treeallometry.org/equations/kuyah-2016-model1-bayes/#source

## The facts, in the source's words

**Equation** (Table 4 caption):

> AGB = 0.102 * DBH2.242 (Model 1)

Cite: https://treeallometry.org/equations/kuyah-2016-model1-bayes/#equation

**Trees measured** (Section 2.3):

> A total of 88 trees ranging in DBH from 5.1 to 105 cm were harvested

Cite: https://treeallometry.org/equations/kuyah-2016-model1-bayes/#quote-fit-n-trees

**output.excludes** (Section 2.5):

> total biomass of aboveground woody parts

Cite: https://treeallometry.org/equations/kuyah-2016-model1-bayes/#quote-output-excludes

**Equation** (Table 4 body):

> Model 1: Intercept −2.284; lnDBH 2.300 (2.242, 2.438)

Cite: https://treeallometry.org/equations/kuyah-2016-model1-bayes/#quote-expression

**Our note:** Recommended by the authors: the Bayesian DBH-only power law (lowest DIC, 51.04, and MAPE 27.20%). The paper says the AGB is the "total biomass of aboveground woody parts"; leaves were weighed separately, so foliage is flagged as excluded. No correction factor is stated for the back-transform, so none is applied. Stand is a mix of woodland and land-use systems. The Table 4 caption prints AGB = 0.102 * DBH^2.242, but 2.242 is the lower credible bound in the table body, whose point estimates (intercept −2.284, slope 2.300) are used here. AGB is stem + branches + twigs, and twigs include leaves (Section 2.3, Appendix I).

## Checks this equation passes

On every build, the library's form and the source's own form (in its units) must both give these values within 1%.

| Inputs | Expected | We get | From |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| D = 20 | 100 | 100 | Computed from the printed form: computed from the Table 4 body coefficients |
| D = 60 | 1,253 | 1,253 | Computed from the printed form: computed from the Table 4 body coefficients |

Cite: https://treeallometry.org/equations/kuyah-2016-model1-bayes/#checks

The calculator on the page shows carbon as biomass × 0.47 (IPCC 2006 Guidelines, Vol. 4, Ch. 4, Table 4.3) and CO₂e as carbon × 44/12.

## How to cite

Cite the source for the equation: Kuyah, S., Sileshi, G. W., & Rosenstock, T. S. (2016). Allometric Models Based on Bayesian Frameworks Give Better Estimates of Aboveground Biomass in the Miombo Woodlands. Forests, 7(2), 13. https://doi.org/10.3390/f7020013

Cite this page for the record and checks: Tree Allometrics (Restoration Scope), "Miombo mixed-species AGB from DBH, Bayesian (Model 1)", checked 2026-11-02, https://treeallometry.org/equations/kuyah-2016-model1-bayes/. Data CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Quotes are the authors' words.

Data for this equation: https://treeallometry.org/data/equations/kuyah-2016-model1-bayes.json
Report a problem: email info@restorationscope.com with the equation id (kuyah-2016-model1-bayes) and where the right value appears.