Estimating Browse Production by Deerbrush [Ceanothus integerrimus]

Abstract

This architectural model is designed to significantly refine browse weight estimates for deerbrush (Ceanothus integerrimus). Basal diameter of branches arising from the primary stem (2nd order stems) predicted leaf and branch weights with r2 = 0.97 using an allometric transformation in linear regression. Estimates based on secondary stem basal diameter rather than terminal shoots may be useful in a large number of similar shrub species.