Above-Ground Biomass

Definition

This term encompasses all living biomass which is located above the ground. Generally speaking, it includes the stem, stump, branches, bark, seeds and foliage. Some standards, such as the VCS, also distinguish between tree and non-tree biomass. The VCS qualifies above-ground non-tree biomass as including "trees smaller than the minimum tree size measured in the tree biomass pool, all shrubs, and all other non-herbaceous live vegetation".